Our friend Turnip Vegan has been inspiring us for years with his passion for creating exciting, healthy, and beautifully crafted vegan food. We've collaborated on some mouth-watering recipes recently such as a lion's mane hot dog, a lion's mane "fish" sandwich, a crispy oyster mushroom wrap, and a shiitake "meatball" sandwich. Now in the heat of summer, he's crafted something extra special: this reishi pineapple spice drink and popsicle incorporating his homegrown reishi mushrooms!
"As the summer started to heat up, I wanted to make something nice and refreshing with the fresh reishi I grew at home. It is no secret that I love growing mushrooms at home, and this was my first time growing reishi. It took about 2 & 1/2 months to develop using the fruiting block substrate, and watching the mushrooms' different phases was interesting.
Like I said in this video, I love growing mushrooms at home because I enjoy watching my food grow, and knowing how it grows is essential to me. This drink supports a healthy gut, promotes immune health, and is refreshing! Do some research on reishi mushrooms and share what you find below! This recipe is simple and refreshing!"
- Turnip Vegan
"As the summer started to heat up, I wanted to make something nice and refreshing with the fresh reishi I grew at home. It is no secret that I love growing mushrooms at home, and this was my first time growing reishi. It took about 2 & 1/2 months to develop using the fruiting block substrate, and watching the mushrooms' different phases was interesting. Like I said in this video, I love growing mushrooms at home because I enjoy watching my food grow, and knowing how it grows is essential to me. This drink supports a healthy gut, promotes immune health, and is refreshing! Do some research on reishi mushrooms and share what you find below! This recipe is simple and refreshing!"
- Turnip Vegan
Ingredients
25 - 35 grams of fresh reishi (if this is your first time consuming reishi, check with your physician)
4 cups of water
1 deseeded habanero pepper
1 fresh pineapple
1-2 passion fruits
African Basil (to garnish)
Step 1. Harvest reishi and clean with water if needed. Clean the rind of the pineapple and remove the top. Cut the skin off of the pineapple. Add reishi, chopped pineapple rind, habanero pepper (minus the seeds, in my case), and enough water to cover all the ingredients to a pot. Once the water starts to boil, lower temp to a simmer. Simmer for 1 hour with the lid on the pot.
Step 2. Cut the rest of the pineapple into chunks and add to a blender with some water. Use a strainer and strain the pineapple juice. Place to the side.
Step 3. Strain reishi pineapple tea and allow it to cool.
Step 4. Add 1/4 reishi pineapple tea and 3/4 pineapple juice to a glass. Add a little passion fruit and garnish. Add the leftovers to an ice tray or popsicle maker and freeze.
Enjoy the chill vibes and have a wonderful summer 2023!