Hepatic fungus. Description, useful properties, cooking

If you are a fan of "quiet hunting" and often go to the forest, then, most likely, you have often come across mushrooms that grow on tree trunks. Did you know that there are edible among them? Most likely, no, because such mushrooms we usually bypass. Their appearance repels, and it is much more pleasant to collect mushrooms, boletus and butter mushrooms! Well, in vain, on the trunks of trees can get a very tasty and useful specimen - liver fungus. Why does it bear such a name? Yes, because visually the fungus is very similar to the animal's liver and even "krovit" on the cut. Now we will consider in detail all its useful and medicinal properties, and also learn how to cook it.

Hepatic fungus

It usually grows on stumps and trunks of deciduous trees, mainly on oaks and chestnuts. Loves a warm temperate climate, so there is only in those places where a short cold winter. The mushroom hat can be light red, dark orange or brownish-burgundy. The leg is skewed, not expressed, often it is even not visible. The skin is rough and slightly damp. The fungus resembles a liver or tongue, its length ranges from 10 to 30 cm, and the thickness is 6 cm. The flesh is fleshy, juicy, but at the same time dense. Hepatic fungus is rich in vitamin C. In addition, it contains proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins PP and D, phosphorus and water, which are so necessary for the human body. In food, it is best to use young specimens, since the old ones are bitter and quite tough.

Hepatic fungus. Preparation

As you already knew, a liverwort can be eaten. This fungus is fried, boiled and stewed. Some even manage to make cutlets from it. Let's look at several options for cooking.

• Fried liverwort. Rinse mushrooms well, peel. Put them in salted water, Bring to a boil and cook for another 20-25 minutes. Then mushrooms throw in a colander and rinse. Now they are cut into pieces and sent to a hot frying pan. If necessary, you can still add salt. Fry the mushrooms for 20 minutes. Do not forget to stir it. Then add finely chopped onions and fry for another 10 minutes. If desired, you can put mayonnaise or sour cream. Bon Appetit!

• Cutlets from the liverwort. First, soak the mushroom for several hours in cold water. This is done in order to remove excess acid. In this case, the water in which the mushroom will be soaked should be periodically drained and replaced with a new one. Then boil it for 20-25 minutes. Cool and grind in a meat grinder. In the resulting mince we add onion, egg, salt and pepper. Now we form the cutlets, we pour them in flour and fry them in a heated frying pan until they are ready. Bon Appetit!

Well, now you know what the hepatic fungus looks like, how to prepare it and what useful properties it has. But it is worth noting that, like any other product, it has its own contraindications. Hepatic fungus should not be eaten by people who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys. Also, nutritionists do not recommend using it in the diet of preschool children.