willardguy
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mmm, fungus pizza
alright I haven't tried it, and probably wont  but here's the story.
(the pizza place is nube58 next to the la mision restaurant). anyone tried it?
Origins
Huitlacoche dates back to the Aztecs who enjoyed the naturally-occuring corn fungus as part of their diet. They would use the corn and the attached
fungus in tamales and stews.
Huitlacoche Today
Mexicans view the fungus as a delicacy and enjoy it prepared in various dishes, or as a filling for tacos or tamales. It also has one of the highest
protein contents of all the mushroom family.
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Whale-ista
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Huitlacoche (corn fungus)
I enjoy Huitlacoche when prepared well. Odd color, purplish, but delicious in the hands of a good chef.
In San Diego I've had it at El Agave Restaurant and Tequilaria, just south of Old Town on San Diego Ave. I think it was served as an appetizer.
Haven't been for years, but in the past they also have wonderful mole served over venado (venison) tamales wrapped in banana leaves, pumpkin soup and
cheese stuffed/breaded flor de Calabasas (squash blossom) with occasional fried grasshoppers thrown in for variety.
These are all traditional central Mexico dishes that are not part of typical Northern MX/Baja cuisine. Definitely worth trying.
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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Loretana
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I had the Cuitlacoche Crepes at Hacienda de los Morales in Mexico City a few years back and they were one of the best dishes I have ever eaten in
Mexico...
Plus, the Hacienda is absolutely memorable, just gorgeous.
I believe that explosion of flavor is called "umami".....by the Japanese, known to be caused by amino acids found in mushrooms and other delicious
foodstuffs.
The idea of a cuitlacoche pizza is making me swoon!
"If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration."
-Nikola Tesla
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DENNIS
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...........................................YUCK.............................................
............................................WHY...................................................
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Udo
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I have enjoyed huitlacoches on many occasions:
The first time was at one of the Tequila Expos..was fixed sort of like a tostada and topped off with Mexican crema.
The second time was in La Paz, and I don't remember the name of the restaurant...it was downtown somewhere and near the malecon...a few blocks south
of there. The restaurant came well recommended when we stayed at Casa Tuscany B&B.
The third time, and by far the best was at Mission 29 restaurant in TJ.
David, from Muelle Tres recommended it to us.
Yes, it looks ugly, but so does chili as well as truffles.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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bajaguy
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Costco
Costco in Ensenada carries it.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
Costco in Ensenada carries it. |
Costco sells fungus? How nice.
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Loretana
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Dennis....you must dislike mushrooms as well??
"A cada uno lo suyo"
"If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration."
-Nikola Tesla
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CP
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The canned stuff tastes ok but is even more visually unappealing than the fresh. I cannot resist buying those smut covered stubby ears of corn when I
see them 'tween the snowpeas and 8-ball zuchinni at Super Ley.
It is a unique and flavorful ingredient.
I'll find ways to serve it that don't mask the flavor but do mask the appearance.
Hmmm, I do the same with ground beef.
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Skipjack Joe
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Loretana
I believe that explosion of flavor is called "umami".....by the Japanese, known to be caused by amino acids found in mushrooms and other delicious
foodstuffs.
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We just call it "yummy" over here.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Loretana
Dennis....you must dislike mushrooms as well??
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Cooked....yes, but not when they're called fungus. Fungus is what happens under old toenails. 
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zoesterone
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
Costco in Ensenada carries it. |
LOL. Except for the day I drove down from Rosarito to buy it. It was coming in the next day..so there went my plans for huitlecoche risotto.
Dogs are not our whole life, but make our lives whole.
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willardguy
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my grandfather was a farmer from minnesota many moons ago and as a child I remember seeing ruined ears of corn, with what they called corn smut.
I just now made the connection, he would roll over if he knew that this was todays cash crop!
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bajaguy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by zoesterone
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
Costco in Ensenada carries it. |
LOL. Except for the day I drove down from Rosarito to buy it. It was coming in the next day..so there went my plans for huitlecoche risotto.
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You should live closer to Ensenada.........or have friends buy it for you 
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BajaBlanca
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Living and learning .... I had never heard of this before.
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