Autumn rains bring a flourishing of wild, edible mushrooms. This recipe uses chicken of the woods, but any meaty, flavourful variety works. But, beware: many edible mushrooms have evil twins that lurk in the forest. Forage for consumption at your own risk.
Preheat oven to 500°F. Trim mushrooms, removing stems and any old or dried bits. Scrape or wipe away dirt. Cut into ¼-inch slices and brush with olive oil. Season liberally with salt and pepper.
Preheat olive oil in large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms in a single layer. When sizzling, transfer skillet to oven. Roast 10–15 minutes, until mushrooms have begun to brown. Return pan to stovetop over medium high. Add water (carefully; it may spit) and shallot and parsley, if using. Stir frequently for 2 minutes or until water has reduced and emulsified with the oil. Serve mushrooms with a few drops of lemon juice.
Notes
Pair it with garlic-rubbed toastToast sourdough or baguette rounds until golden. Slice a peeled clove of garlic and rub the cut sides onto the toasts. Drizzle with a little olive oil.