The Impossible Burger, Beyond Burger, the processed generation of foods. No, thank you. I'll have fresh Mushrooms instead.
We are creatures of habit and convenience, everything we do in life, for most of us, this is evident and it is something we try to control, however minuscule or other. We try to buy time by cutting into the essence of life, altering what was once perceived the holy grail, that family dinner table, all to gain more time.
In recent years, especially, the last few months, the idea of the Impossible Burger, the Beyond Burger, has been ravaging around local and other media showcasing the massive movement of the Impossible Burger that is anything but a meat. A plant based option. It is for all the Vegans out there and those trying to cut down on the "unhealthy" meat. A healthier choice they say. But what we fail to understand and realize that this impossible whatever it is, is generated in a lab. A food that may be processed more than the other junk in the processed food division, making that plant based option, another root of a disease waiting to emerge. Just check out the article by CNET News.
When it comes to food, I like my food to come from a place of worship, the forest or the field. Farmers understand what I am talking about. If you have your own little garden at home, you understand it too. We have become way to spoiled with our food options that some of our foods travel days prior to reaching the grocery shelf. Today we do not only eat foods that are grown in season, in our own region, we want that Watermelon 365 days per year, wherever it may be coming from. That is one of our failures, as this convenience adds to our Environmental problems and the carbon footprint this product may have while it is sitting on your local grocery shelf, some even thrown away as their quality degrades quicker because of the style of transportation utilized to get it to where you may be. But that is a topic for another day.
Did you know that products that take a while to ship are shipped to us in unripe form, with added gases throughout the trip in order for the product to continue its growth cycle, only to arrive to our grocery stores ready to eat? Don't believe me? Check out the facts and truths behind a variety of food commodaties, from the tomato industry to bananas. But I am a Mushroom guy and for me it is the Mushrooms coming out of Asia in frozen formats only to compete with their low price with farmers in our region who work tirelessly to provide us with a fresh, healthy product, only to have to compete based on price of a product that dies in your fridge within days of arrival. What a slap on the face for the farmer that spends 18h a day trying to feed us goodness.
When we force our foods, they cannot be good for us. I do not know anything about the chicken industry but when something natural is cut down from 30+ days to 10-15...how are we calling this natural? How are we okay with the concept of speeding up the development of certain foods we eat? When I discuss these topics with my colleagues, I always wonder where is the line? And what is that line that we will cross that we will stop and say, okay maybe that is a little too much, too quick, too fast...too unnatural?
Now back to the Impossible Burger, the Beyond Burger, the processed heaven of plant based foods.
This picture below is my own creation of an Impossible Burger made possible by the delicious and nutritious, fresh Nebrodini Bianco grown locally in Michigan by Gourmet Mushrooms, Inc. - Mycopia.
A vegan bun, freshly sourced lettuce, basil, pan fried Nebrodini Bianco, finished off with spicy mustard. Damnit, now I am craving another. It took me a total of 7 minutes to get this done and it could have been done quicker, only I like my 'Shrooms sometimes to be extra, well done. So yes, in 5 minutes, you could enjoy this delicious treat. Natural, fresh, simple.
My Impossible Burger has always been the Mushroom. It is a Nebrodini Bianco, a King Trumpet and even a Portabella, or juicy sliced Cremini's just topped, sautéed. All the nutrients and more than any impossible burger could provide, the freshness is ridiculous and cannot be compared, alongside the natural juice pouring out with every bite.
So here are my suggestions to you, on how to create your own Unimaginable Ultimate Impossible Beyond Burger for your Family, from a fresh, healthy and delicious option of Mushrooms available in a store near you, grown locally by a Farmer you can visit and say Thank you.
Oyster Mushrooms [above in picture]
They come in all colours, some even shapes. This particular Elm Oyster is available primarily in your bulk section of Mushroom offerings, and if they are not, they can be. Just ask for the produce manager in your local store, and ask them to offer bulk Oyster Mushrooms because you would support the product if it was available. Trust me on this fact.
These delicious & nutritious petals can be pan fried in water, add a tad bit of salt and pepper, and add it in slices on top of any other fresh ingredients you may have in your fridge. This meal will not take you longer than a few minutes. If it's BBQ season, brush some olive oil on both sides, and grill each side for 3-4 minutes on medium high heat, and voila, perfection of a delicious treat.
King Trumpet, King Oyster and/or Pleurotus Eryngii Mushrooms [above in picture]
These beauties are so versatile. I have cut them the long way, top to bottom, to short ways along the stem, and with either cut, this Mushroom is one of the ultimate meat substitutes to anyone looking for a better alternative. This Mushroom sliced head to toe, thin slices of a bout 1/8 inch, can be pan fried or oven baked, into a perfection that I have sometimes offered it as bacon and people have fell for it, thinking they were actually eating bacon, not knowing it was my style of Vegan bacon. When you cut them along the side, they end up looking like Scallops, so pan fried, can definitely offer a variety of delicious options of cooking methods and presentational styles.
A fellow Shroomster that gets her 'Shrooms from us, utilizes the King Trumpet and Nebrodini Bianco's and she makes Vegan Lobster rolls. Yes, you are reading this right, and as someone who enjoys Lobster and Lobster rolls, I have to admit that what she made for me to try, was better than most Lobster rolls that I have had the opportunity to eat in my lifetime. What power these species have for us that we have yet to utilize as much as they have to offer. Oh Mushrooms, how beautiful and powerful you are.
Nebrodini Bianco [above in picture]
A few weeks back, we were doing a presentation at the local Farmer's Market in Windsor, and we came to the market with 21 varieties of fresh Mushrooms, Exotic, Wild and Medicinal, and we brought with us two Vegan style Romano Pizza's to share with the local crowd. The picture above/below - Nebrodini Bianco's, were in a plate next to the offering table and there was a number of people who would ask for us to add some Chicken on that Vegan pizza we were offering. After eating it, they would come back and say holy cow how did you make that chicken taste so bright with taste. Simple, we substituted it with a Mushroom, I tell them, and they stand there in amazement trying to comprehend that their mind and taste buds were just blown away by a Mushroom they have yet to try. What a hidden power, don't you think?
Nebrodini Bianco [below in picture]
Luckily, Shroomsters across the world are a Mycelium Network of passionate beings working together, sharing ideas, concepts, and popping up on markets across the world, today bringing us the most amount of grown varieties every known to man. Besides the wonders we find in our foraging adventures in the Wild, there are passionate Shroomsters out there growing varieties of Mushrooms which they have tamed from the Wild to have the ability to provide you that delicious treat 365 days per year, if production allows.
Lion's Mane, Hericium erinaceus, is one of those wonders. Considered the Brain Boosting mushroom, the species Hericium, have the power within the help boost your memory ability and overall brain health. Testing has increased across the world and people are starting to hear more and more about the power of the Lion's Mane. You see the supplements in coffee, pills and tea formats but I only consume this wonderful and powerful Mushroom the only way deserved - Fresh, thanks to local farmers in Michigan, Oregon and Toronto. Its nutrition is a bonus to us as her taste is even greater. She brings us the ability to slice her like a meat, pan fry and just slap on anything you may crave, because what she offers is a boost for your tummy and your mind. A perfect, delicious specimen, that is vital for your mind, body and soul. She connects with you, the longer you consume her. I treat her as a medicinal boost in my eating habits, and will eat her regularly on a timed schedule, making an appointment with my body to let it know that greatness is about to arrive, so utilize it wisely.
Lion's Mane Mushrooms [picture above]
Naming a few of these Mushrooms above, I have yet to give them justice. Because there are many other Mushrooms that are perfect as a substitute to any Impossible Beyond Burger, Shiitakes, Creminis, Lobster from the Wild, and so many many more. Whenever I am cooking a demo or for a private party interested in the Power of Mushrooms, I try to utilize a different variety to showcase the power and the range these beauties present. Blowing minds with Mushrooms is an easy task for any Shroomster.
Mushrooms are the best of both worlds, the meat and veggie world, but they are a species in its own designation. Mushrooms are the Omnivore presenting us the power from both to utilize in building a healthy food ideology. I believe Mushrooms should be consumed daily, I consume them with every meal. I believe they are the one ingredient that can be added to any planned dish and for whoever says they do not eat Mushrooms, I challenge them. I am a proud converter of a few "non-'Shroom" eaters, and I am proud that today they utilize Mushrooms more frequently than most of my friends or colleagues.
The Power of Mushrooms is real. Believe. Educate yourself and next time you are in the market shopping, choose a Mushroom you never tried before, and utilize it in your favourite dish. Allow yourself to be amazed. If you need help with how to prepare, feel free to comment below or send me a message, as for Mushrooms, my doors are open 24/7 as together we work at one bite at a time to heal our Planet and Community with Mushrooms.
My name is Denis Vidmar and I am a Shroomster that believes and lives in the Power of Musrhooms. Join the Mycelium Network of Shroomsters and spread the good world.
Let's talk Mushrooms!