Life's Pages - Establishing a New World Culture based on the sustainability of frugal living and imagining a new reality where money is not the central motivation.
 

4 Pints Canned Oyster Mushrooms & 9 Pints Canned Broth

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See: Mushroom page for more information on growing oyster mushrooms

This is not a complete hot-to, it is an example of what is possible.  As always, take it and make it your own.
Ingredients:

~5lbs of Waste Paper
~1 Quart Blue Oyster Mycelium (I sell these, but they're much cheaper to make yourself)
~2 cups flour
~1 onion
~4 cloves garlic
~4 Tbsp vegetable oil
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Pretty much any paper will to:
~Cardboard
~Phonebooks
~Newspaper
~Egg Cartons
~Credit card applications
~Delinquency notices
~Traffic tickets
~Any unwanted paper

Boil for 60 minutes to kill any potential contamination.  It isn't as vital in this step to kill EVERYTHING you're just knocking down the competition for the mycelium. 
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After the waste paper is cooked and had a chance to cool down (must be below 120F) Drain.  The paper needs to be very wet for the mycelium, but not dripping wet.  Just a little bit of squeezing is all it needs.  And then add 1 Quart of Mycelium.  Of course I sell these, but once you start a culture they're very easy to maintain.  Break the mycelium apart and make sure it is evenly spread through the paper mixture. 
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This mixture can go into anything paper.  I will normally use a double lined paper grocery bag or a cardboard box, but just about anything without a wax or plastic coating. 

Keep at 80F & 100% humidity for ~2 weeks.  I use a plastic tub with a small heater. 
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Once you start seeing "Coral" growth it's time to start fruiting

Move to 60F and spray with water twice a day.
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After only 5 days you should have a pound of Blue Oyster Mushrooms like this.  This is a "flush" and under correct conditions you should get at least 2 flushes.  I've been able to get 4 flushes. 

Harvest

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Cut off anything with the paper still attached and discard.  I throw these in the compost and they will continue to grow again.  Separate caps & Stems.  Dice the stems, there's lots of flavor in these but they can be a bit chewy if not cut in small enough pieces.
Stems-

In a large sauce pan heat oil then add diced stems, onions, & garlic.  
Cook mixture down for 15 minutes.  
Add flour and stir constantly until mixture starts to brown.  
Add 10 cups water
Mix thoroughly then simmer for 20 minutes.

Caps-

Soak in cold water for 5 minutes.
Rinse with cold water.
Boil in large sauce pan for 5 minutes.

Using proper pressure cooker practices, fill ~ 4 pint jars with caps & water then ~9 pint jars with Broth.  Cook at 11psi for 45 minutes. 
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Recipes for the broth and mushrooms will follow.
All the paper/mycelium can be composted.  The paper will compost very quickly after being digested by the mycelium.  No waste.
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