In the New York Times, Craig Claiborne shares the romantic notion that
‘The ancients believed that mushrooms were created by thunderbolts,
possibly because they flourished after rain.’
French horticulturalists pioneered mushroom reproduction and today mushroom cultivation stands as a thriving industry, offering an abundance of species available in autumn and throughout the year.
The Japanese Shiitake mushrooms are the second most-consumed mushrooms in the world. They have a pungent, woody flavour with a sweet, meaty texture. In the thermal energetics of Chinese Medicine, they are neutral, sweet and drying. Like adzuki beans, shiitake have an absorbent property, which makes them suitable for drying damp conditions such as Candida. They are also helpful for decreasing cholesterol, and lowering high blood pressure.
In the mid-eighties, the Japanese government approved a new product featuring Shiitake for the treatment of stomach and cervical cancers. Concentrated forms of letinan, a shiitake extract, treat cancer, AIDS, diabetes, fibrocystic breast disease and other conditions with impressive results. Nutritionally, they fight viruses, lower cholesterol and regulate blood pressure.
Containing all eight of the essential amino acids, shiitake are also rich in Vitamin B12, Cobalamin, predominantly found in animal protein, an energy-boosting vitamin that is so often lacking in the vegetarian diet. They have natural antiviral and immune boosting properties and contain a sizeable amount of the protein, interferon that aids in building immunity against cancer. Low in fat, they are a good source of fibre, potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, as well as niacin and other B group vitamins.
Although they are commonly available in their dried form, fresh Shiitake (“shii” is Japanese for oak and “take” meaning mushroom), mushrooms can be bought at various markets and are far superior. Dried shiitake can be quite pungent, tough and overbearing, and the potentially harmful practice of using preservatives and chemicals to facilitate the drying and packaging processes must be taken into consideration.
Shiitake mushrooms are grown commercially by inoculating the cut logs of a particular  ‘sporing’ oak tree. Their seasons are typically autumn and spring. Externally, fresh shiitake are dark brown with smooth, velvety caps housing a fluffy fawn to pink flesh, with a slightly spongy texture. Discard any hard stems before cooking, and store them in a brown paper bag in a dark place, or keep in the drawer of the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks.  Â
Recipe
Cassoulet of Shiitake and adzuki beans with leek and ginger
2 cups fresh shiitake mushrooms, wiped over and cut into quarters
1 cup adzuki beans, soaked overnight
Water
1 leek, finely sliced
2 stalks celery, finely sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3 teaspoons ginger, finely grated
2 cups good vegetable stock
1/4 cup Ponzu sauce
*Ponzu is a citrus flavoured soy sauce available from Japanese grocers
- Cook adzuki beans in plenty of boiling water until almost tender – about 30 minutes – do not to overcook, as they will become too soft. Drain and refresh under cold running water. Set aside. Heat 1/4 cup of the vegetable stock in pan.Add shiitake, garlic, leek and celery and sweat gently for 5 minutes
- Add cooked beans, Ponzu sauce and remaining vegetable stock
Simmer gently over a low heat for a further 15 minutes until the beans are thoroughly cooked, adding more stock as required
Therapeutic Notes
The cassoulet is cooked slowly to maintain its warming nature and each individual component has been selected for their healing properties. Adzuki beans have been used for their drying and warming nature and are complimented by the pungency of the ginger, which will help to stimulate the digestive fire. Adzuki beans strengthen the spleen and have an absorbent effect. Celery has been added for the drying effect it has and although it is a cooling food, the heat from the pungent vegetables will balance it so as to have the desired effect. Leeks can help to resolve and clear phlegm, while ginger and garlic are hot foods and extremely beneficial overall.
*As with most legumes, it is best to soak them for at least six hours to remove the phytic acid and facilitate digestion.