Breaded Giant Puffball Slices - Langermannia gigantea
I like Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for a coating on these because they season the mushroom just right.
First thing to do is take the half of the giant puffball ( remember from the prior page that the best practice is to cut in half when you find one ) and cut half inch thick slices from it.
From those slices trim off the mushroom edges ( what was the cap surface ).
If you noticed, I did not mention anything about water or washing off the mushroom. With these it is easy to skip the washing process because you are only eating the inside.
I cut the half inch slices on one side of the counter with one cutting board then use the other side of the counter with a different cutting board to trim off the edges. By splitting the prep area I am not laying the clean slice near where I had the mushroom half sitting, that is, the dirtier side.
Cut the slice into manageable chunks, about the equivalent of a piece of white bread cut in half. You will end up with a pile of chunks like shown on the left in the picture below.
Take a chunk and dip it in mixed egg which has a pinch of salt and pepper. Then put the dipped chunk into the bread crumbs. Get a good egg and bread crumb coating on all the exposed edges of the mushroom chunk.
The frying pan should have some extra virgin olive oil and butter in it and should be nice and hot before you start putting in the slices.
A little less than medium heat will be fine.
When you have enough slices coated to fill the frying pan put them in. Cook until bread crumbs get nice and brown ( about 2 or 3 minutes ) . Flip over and do the same to other side.
Take out and set on paper towels.
I use these in place of potatoes with my meal. Here is my supper the day I found this beauty. Chicken and breaded giant puffball slices. I figure I can eat more mushrooms if I forego the potato.
Best practice is to cook up a lot because they are really good. And, believe it or not, after the leftovers are sitting around on the counter to cool off they are still great to snack on.
Another best practice is to throw the trash pieces/ trimmings out in your yard somewhere. You never know about mushrooms and why they grow. I figure it's better in the yard than in the trash.