Neither fish nor flesh nor good green veg

Now for something completely different.

Son Huw came home from Manchester with a packet of Jiaobai labelled Water Bamboo and  also known as Wild Rice Stem although it isn't actually either. It's a species of grass that grows in water and is cultivated in China solely for its propensity to become parasitised by the fungus Ustilago esculenta* which causes the leeky-looking stalks to swell at the base.

 We were very excited about it! When we cut the bulbous stems longitudinally we found that underneath the external sheath of leaves the core was composed of a firm fungal mass although if you didn't know what it was you would probably assume it was part of the plant, and indeed when cut into strips and stir-fried with beef fillet you would not have guessed its origin. It was delicious, both firm yet yielding on the tongue.  Highly recommended! (Also very cheap)

 I still have to try the Mexican speciality huitlacoche  (also spelled with a c), a similar sort of corn smut fungus that affects the kernels, ruining crops but resulting on a highly-prized  delicacy. I believe it can be obtained in tins and I've no doubt that my son will manage to source some sooner or later.

*Technical info here