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Swan Valley Gourmet Fungi at Mt Claremont Farmers’ Market

Gourmet Mushrooms Grown in Perth Hills

A peek inside the shroom rooms…

For the last 16 years Dave and Bridgett Proudmore have been growing exotic fungi, and for the last 11 years in purpose-built temperature and light controlled “shroom rooms” on their property in Gidgegannup, Western Australia.

When Dave and Bridgett started their fungi farm, they had to educate the people of Perth how to eat them. Early on it was difficult to get people to even try them, so free tastings were offered…

Dave and Bridgett’s fungi farm in the Swan Valley; Gourmet Fungi from Gidgegannup, Western Australia

But thanks to the popularity of cooking shows, the emergence of “Perth’s foodie scene” and those with a sense of adventure, free tastings at Perth’s farmers’ markets are no longer necessary!

The gourmet mushroom varieties are grown on purpose made “hosts” of wheat, straw and wood and are kept in dark and moist rooms at around 20 degrees Celsius. Some species only take around 4 weeks to grow, but some can take up to 3 months. Late October to early November is described as the “Goldilocks” time of year for growing mushrooms otherwise known as “Meat for Vegetarians!”

The couple and their amazing mushrooms have featured on TV shows “My Kitchen Rules”, “Garden Gurus” and also on the radio with 6PR the ABC and many more.

Link to “The Garden Gurus” YouTube video.

Lucky for us at Mt Claremont Farmers’ Market,  Swan Valley Gourmet Fungi also specialise in…

“Grow Your Own Mushroom Kits”

I personally have one at home at the moment (a brilliant gift idea by the way). It’s easy, fun and rewarding to harvest your own mushies at home, and it feels to me like a little bit like magic; like they’re growing right before your eyes!

Below is a list of just some of the freshly picked mushroom varieties Bridgett brings to Mount Claremont Farmers’ Market on Saturdays.

  • Oyster
  • Pink Oyster
  • King Oyster
  • Portobello
  • Shitake
  • Golden Oyster
  • Shimagee
  • Lions mane
  • Monkey head
  • Piopinno
  • Chestnut Mushroom

Just to name a few!

Bridgett and her lovely mum Margaret, run their weekly Mount Claremont Farmers’ market stall every Saturday, rain, hail or shine.
mushrooms at the farmers market
Due to the popularity of their mushrooms, (and the ladies happy smiling faces) they often sell-out well before 11:30am!

Loved by locals and regulars, local producers like Swan Valley Gourmet Fungi are why our farmers’ market continues to endure. Knowing more about the food you eat, where it comes from and how it is grown, has never been more important. Primary producer stall holders like Bridgett, are a fountain of knowledge when it comes to their produce, The Mt Claremont Farmers’ Market charter governs our farmers’ market, and we strive to support those who grow, make or raise what they sell.

Thanks for letting me visit your place and teaching me about your interesting fungi farm Bridgett and Dave! You’re an asset to the Mt Claremont Farmers’ Market community and we LOVE what you do!

Click to follow Bridgett on Instagram to see whats growing next! @fungifarm

Swan Valley Gourmet Fungi and Mushrooms have many health benefits, they’re high in protein, they taste great in salads, on pasta, pizza, in soups and omelettes’ and just about anywhere you put them.

Below is a Mushroom Bruschetta recipe that Bridgett has given me to share, it’s seriously delicious and so easy… A combination of caramelised ‘farmers’ market’ mushrooms, thyme feta & olive oil, as a topping on any type of crusty bread you choose!

Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

Swan Valley Gourmet Fungi Recipe; Mixed Mushroom Bruschetta

 

Bridgett’s Mixed Mushroom Bruschetta Recipe

Serves 2

Ingredients

Method

  1. Slice onion and mushrooms
  2. Heat oil in frying pan & fry onion
  3. Toss mushrooms into pan and sauté quickly
  4. Add the balsamic & sugar, stir for 30 seconds or until caramelised
  5. Add the thyme, salt & pepper
  6. Toast your bread and each piece with garlic and olive oil
  7. Pile mushrooms on top of toasted bread
  8. Sprinkle with goats’ cheese
  9. Enjoy!
Mmmm! Mixed Mushroom Bruschetta on crusty bread from the farmers’ market topped with feta and thyme.

 

Click on the images below to find out more about the ingredients used in this recipe.

Available from Mount Claremont Farmers’ Market Saturday Mornings 7:30-11:30

 

Healthy Grain Organic Bread

 

Bookara Goat’s Feta
Guinea Grove Olive Oil
GMT Red Onion
GMT Garlic
GMT Thyme
Swan Valley Gourmet Fungi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mt Claremont Farmers’ Market, 103 Alfred Road Mount Claremont Primary School; Saturdays 7:30-11:30

Thanks for reading about the amazing fungi!  If you create this recipe at home, don’t forget to tag us @mtclaremontfarmersmarket . Enjoy the October School Holidays and we hope to see you at the farmer’s market on Saturday!

Maggie x

Mount Claremont Farmers Market
Mount Claremont Farmers Market shop for fresh produce weekly and follow us in Instagram!
Photography and Blog by Maggie Giles Photo & Social