Medium Rare

my first foraged steak

By The Bimbler

I received a call from Fraser Christian who runs Survival courses along the Dorset Coastline and beyond. He needed a hand setting up for a foraging day followed by a meal made with whatever we all found. Once there the priorities were established and a large mug of coffee started proceedings before we got things ready for his customers.

Duncliffe Woods is an ancient woodland covering over 200 acres and is rumoured to have inspired Thomas Hardy to write his book The Woodlanders. Now owned by the Woodland Trust it has a series of beautiful broadleaf and coniferous woodland walkways and fortunately for everyone there, a few edible plants too.

Fraser’s style was animated as always and I managed to learn a couple of new edible plants to add to my knowledge bank

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but the highlight for me was watching him head up a tree on a hunt for…

Fistulina hepatica, otherwise known as the Beefsteak Fungus for reasons that will be apparent in a minute

Once back at the field kitchen the edible pickings were assessed

then Fraser who is a trained chef created a delicious Beefstake Fungus Omelette

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followed by a woodland risotto which I think was well received by the hungry audience

Duncliffe Woods are worth a visit if you find yourself in the area, not only will you be rewarded with some great views from the highest point at 210 metres above sea level, but you will share your walk with a scattering of lime coppice which may even be the oldest living things in Dorset.

Footnotes

Learn about the complex subject of foraging how best to respect nature before heading out. Fraser's courses can be found here... http://coastalsurvival.com

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FootNotes

Learn about the complex subject of foraging how best to respect nature before heading out. Fraser's courses can be found here... http://coastalsurvival.com