Dinner with Chanties

Meet my dinner date from tonight...

Chanterelles

aka "Chanties"

If you like mushrooms, then I highly suggest you try these golden beauties.

I cant even tell you what a delicious fungus they are!

They are quite pricey and hard to find....

They are found under mixed woods, under conifers and oaks

and apparently in Costco!

(West coast warehouse store)

Imagine how absolutely STUNNED I was to see them

at Costco for $9.99/lb

What a score!

(they go for over $20+/lb)

I was so excited I had to call the Stig and tell him of my find

afterall, he is the one who introduced me to Chanties years before....

He had a connection that used to harvest them

(a friend of a friend, of a friend....etc. PRE-Lolo)

They are very tempermental and

only grow in certain conditions for a short time.

(think of truffles and bad hair days)

Anyhoo -

this is my throw together recipe for Chanties

1/2 lb Chanterelle mushrooms (dry-brushed cleaned and stems trimmed)

1/2 cup white wine

2 tbspn butter

3 cloves garlic-minced

4 tspns worschestire

salt/pepper

Bring to a boil then simmer for 10 minutes

(until all liquid is absorbed)

and then...

{*angelic voices singing*}

They have the most amazing taste

Its almost fruity like apricots

I swear.....

nothing like plain ol' button mushrooms

(which I happen to love too!)

The Stig and I enjoyed our Chanties along with :

Butternut Squash Ravioli

Basil Artichoke Alfredo

fresh Spinach

my favorite La Brea french baguette

and of course some Pinot Noir (Byron Winery)

(I replenished my low stock!)

True Story......

did I ever tell you we named our dog after a Winery?!

(see above said Winery)

Oh, and did you notice

 somethin new peaking out in the center of the the table??!!

I will be back on tomorrow to tell you all about it!

XOX

* ps - Im working on a lil treat for you all :)