wood ear
Bark-growing mushroom
Wood ear is an edible fungus that grows on trees, named for its ear-like shape and rubbery texture.
Common in Asian cuisines, it appears in soups and stir-fries, prized more for its slightly crunchy texture than its mild flavor: The hot and sour soup had strips of wood ear and tofu.
Also called cloud ear or tree ear.
Fleshy fungal body
- myceliumFungal filament network
- sporesAsexual reproductive bodies
- decomposerOrganism breaking down corpses
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
hyphae · cultivation · spawn · inoculation · humidity · mycology
Resisting easy biting
- gelatinousViscous and semisolid
- crunchyBreaking with sound
- springyAble to rebound
- slipperyLacking friction, hard-to-grasp
rubbery · elastic · cartilaginous · crisp · snappy · resilient · bouncy · silky
Quick-cook in hot oil
- hot and sour soupSpicy, tangy Chinese broth
- moo shuChinese stir-fry in wrappers
- dim sumChinese small-plate tradition
- Buddha's delightVegetarian Chinese vegetable medley
noodles · dumplings · spring rolls · congee · salad · banchan · tofu · bok choy
Element twenty-six
- proteinFolded amino chain
- fiberPlant-based digestive aid
- low-calorieMinimal food energy content
- antioxidantsSubstances counteracting oxidative damage
traditional medicine · collagen · plant-based · vegan · vegetarian · meat substitute · health food
Gathering uncultivated natural materials
- deadwoodUnproductive people or things
- fallen logsHorizontal timber on ground
- identificationEstablishing who someone is
- harvestingGathering mature crops
edible · seasonal · tree bark · oak · beech · woodland · forager · basket
mushroom
Fleshy fungal body
- myceliumFungal filament network
- sporesAsexual reproductive bodies
- decomposerOrganism breaking down corpses
substrate · hyphae · cultivation · spawn · inoculation · humidity · mycology
chewy
Resisting easy biting
- gelatinousViscous and semisolid
- crunchyBreaking with sound
- springyAble to rebound
slippery · rubbery · elastic · cartilaginous · crisp · snappy · resilient · bouncy · silky · smooth
stir-fry
Quick-cook in hot oil
- hot and sour soupSpicy, tangy Chinese broth
- moo shuChinese stir-fry in wrappers
- dim sumChinese small-plate tradition
Buddha's delight · noodles · dumplings · spring rolls · congee · salad · banchan · tofu · bok choy · bamboo shoots
iron
Element twenty-six
- proteinFolded amino chain
- fiberPlant-based digestive aid
- low-calorieMinimal food energy content
antioxidants · traditional medicine · collagen · plant-based · vegan · vegetarian · meat substitute · health food
wildcrafting
Gathering uncultivated natural materials
- deadwoodUnproductive people or things
- fallen logsHorizontal timber on ground
- identificationEstablishing who someone is
harvesting · edible · seasonal · tree bark · oak · beech · woodland · forager · basket · field guide