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fungi ... as this is just about the only fungi I can ID for sure Can anyone tell me what it tastes like and how to cook it... I have searched but to no avail ... mind you I can never find anything on any forum using the search buttons.

Jews/jelly ears don't have a flavour as such, but their firm almost crunchy texture is interesting in dishes (you might say surprising even!).

After cleaning and trimming I shred mine into oriental veg/noodle dishes. They can also make useful additions to clear soups. On no account should you attempt to fry them either whole or sliced as they tend to explode dramatically and you'll get showered with scalding fat which isn't very enjoyable. Hope that helps.

They are sort of crunchy....

A couple of other varieties that it's almost impossible to mix up with anything inedible are lawyer's wig, or shaggy inkcap - tall and, well, shaggy, white mushrooms. But eat them quick after picking or they deliquesce into a black slime.
Chicken of the woods is a lemon yellow colour and grows on trees or stumps - the colour is unmistakeable though the shape varies a lot. Very nice indeed.

Dear Eigon,

Lawyers caps can be eaten but don't have alcohol in any form with them. I have heard that they contain the chemical antabuse which will cause nausea and vomiting when combined with alcohol in the system; the extract was used in aversion therapy for alcoholics.

Love and Peace
Jim

Hedgehogpie wrote:Jews/jelly ears don't have a flavour as such, but their firm almost crunchy texture is interesting in dishes (you might say surprising even!).

After cleaning and trimming I shred mine into oriental veg/noodle dishes. They can also make useful additions to clear soups. On no account should you attempt to fry them either whole or sliced as they tend to explode dramatically and you'll get showered with scalding fat which isn't very enjoyable. Hope that helps.

It does thankyou ... no like things that explode

jim wrote:
Lawyers caps can be eaten but don't have alcohol in any form with them.

Jim

Hi all,
Actually, the Shaggy Ink Cap/Lawyer's Wig (coprinus comatus) doesn't react badly with alcohol. I think you're thinking of the Common Ink Cap (coprinus atramentarius) which is not recommended unless you are a teetotaller! Only the Shaggy Ink cap has the furry scales, the Common Ink cap is smaller and smooth.
I love them! It's really easy to find Shaggy Ink Caps in the early autumn- I found a great spot in my local park! I like them best when they are fried in butter, but what doesn't taste great fried in butter???? : )

As for Jew's ears, i dried them and powdered them fairly successfully, and sometimes use the powder in soups or stews. I think it give a surprisingly strong taste. HTH : )