AMGA hosts a virtual farm tour of SA Mushrooms

mushrooms in schools

 

Mark your calendars, Australia—October 15 is World Mushroom Day, and what better way to celebrate than by showcasing one of the world’s most versatile and delicious ingredients: Australian mushrooms! Whether you’re a long-time mushroom lover or just getting into cooking with these fabulous fungi, we’ve got you covered with 10 incredible mushroom-inspired recipes from 10 different countries. These dishes highlight how mushrooms can take center stage in any cuisine.

This World Mushroom Day, head down to your local market, grab some fresh mushrooms, and try one (or more!) of these global recipes. Cook up a storm for your family and friends and join us in celebrating the tasty, versatile and healthy goodness of mushrooms.

Here’s a culinary trip around the world, all from the comfort of your kitchen!

 

For something hearty, give this Greek Mushroom Stifado a go. It’s a rich, slow-cooked stew that’s full of bold flavours like red wine and tomatoes, with mushrooms soaking up all that goodness. Just serve with some crusty bread to mop up the sauce.

Looking for a quick and tasty meal? This 30-Minute Mushroom Laksa brings the rich, aromatic flavours of Southeast Asia to your table in no time. It’s a deliciously comforting noodle soup that’s bursting with flavour.

Fancy a bit of British flair? This Duxelles & Individual Beef Wellington gives you that restaurant-quality meal at home. Mushrooms add a delicious juicy layer, and the crispy golden puff pastry will make this a family fave. 

Take your taste buds on a trip to the Middle East with Mushroom Shawarma. Marinated in a blend of spices, these mushrooms are roasted until they’re tender and juicy. Serve them with pita, tahini, and fresh veggies for a light and tasty meal.

If you’re after something warm and nourishing, this Miso Sesame Crusted Mushroom Udon Noodle Soup hits the spot. The mushrooms are crusted in sesame seeds for a bit of crunch, while the miso broth gives the soup its signature umami kick.

Try something different with this West African Mushroom Suya. The mushrooms are simmered in a spicy, flavourful sauce that packs a punch. It’s bold, vibrant, and guaranteed to a firm favourite for any family dinner table. Yum!

Creamy and comforting, this Mixed Mushroom Stroganoff is an absolute winner. With rich, earthy mushrooms cooked in a luscious sauce, it’s quick to whip up and perfect for a cozy night in.

Short on time? You’ll love this Microwave Mushroom Risotto. It’s creamy, delicious, and so simple. Just pop it in the microwave, and in a few minutes, you’ve got yourself a bowl of Italian comfort food.

Taco night? These Tex Mex Pulled Mushroom Tacos are a game changer. The mushrooms are shredded and cooked with bold spices, then topped with fresh salsa and crumbled queso fresco. It’s an easy crowd-pleaser.

Put an Aussie twist on your dinner with Mushroom Schnitzel Parmigiana. You can’t go wrong with a golden, crumbed mushroom schnitzel topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese. It’s a vegetarian take on a pub classic that everyone will love.

Mushrooms in Schools Virtual Tour

This week, the AMGA launched the 2021 'Mushrooms in Schools' program, with help from South Australian mushroom farm SA Mushrooms, providing a virtual mushroom farm tour for students at Burnside Primary School. 

The launch and virtual tour coincided with National Science Week, with schools around Australia taking part in “Food by Design” themed science activities. Ahead of Science Week, Burnside Primary School science teacher Abby Macpherson had signed up to take part in the Australian Mushroom Growers’ Association’s (AMGA) ‘Mushrooms in Schools’ program; a free, ten-week educational program to teach primary school students about the third food kingdom - FUNGI.  

The plan for the launch was to invite the students on an excursion to a local mushroom farm, however with the pandemic continuing to unfold, the AMGA brought the farm to the children - virtually.

AMGA Communications Manager, Leah Bramich explains, the virtual tour was as interactive as possible. “Along with the lesson plans, each classroom has received a number of mushroom growing kits, so the students can literally get their hands dirty and experience the fun of growing fungi together. Seeing the mushrooms grow in person really helps the students understand the mushroom life-cycle, which explains why mushrooms are the ultimate recyclers. Our aim is to teach children that mushrooms are very different to an ordinary vegetable and why they are a ‘superfood’ both for people and the planet.”

SA Mushrooms virtual mushroom farm tour

Farmer and owner of SA Mushrooms, Nick Femia, said he was more than happy to be involved. “We had 4 classrooms attend, so that’s about 120 students all tuning in live, eager to ask questions about mushrooms. We took them on a tour of our compost yard and our growing rooms, and I was able to explain what compost is made of and how mushrooms fruit from mycelium – a spiderweb like organism under the ground. We have some budding young mushroom growers in the group for sure, and the more we can do to teach kids about mushrooms and the importance of eating healthy foods the better.”

Head of Science at Burnside Primary, Abby Macpherson says the students are very excited to be growing their own mushrooms in class “The hands-on experience really helps the students understand the unique growing process, as they must tend to their mushrooms every morning and afternoon. They are genuinely excited to see them double in size every day.”

The lessons extend beyond mushroom growing, as Mrs Macpherson further explains “We have just finished a student survey and we have created a pie graph to report on how many mushrooms the students eat at home, some of the students have used fungi as their subject for a photography competition, and as we are getting ready for our first harvest, we are currently looking at mushroom recipes ahead of a cooking lesson. The mushroom kits have certainly helped spiked their interest in mushrooms.” Mrs Macpherson added.

To learn more about the AMGA "Mushrooms in Schools" program, or to discover how you can apply for free mushroom kits for your classroom, visit our Mushrooms in Schools section

Watch the SA Mushrooms virtual farm tour with Burnside Primary

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This World Mushroom Day, let’s come together to celebrate one of the worlds most versatile ingredients by cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Whether you’re craving something rich and comforting, fresh and light, or spicy and bold, there’s a mushroom recipe for you. So head to your local market, grab some mushrooms, and help us celebrate World Mushroom Day—one delicious dish at a time!

Don’t forget to share your creations with us! Tag your mushroom masterpieces with #WorldMushroomDay and spread the love of mushrooms across the globe.