Mussels, Hen-of-the-Woods, and Noodles

I didn’t realize until recently when I found them in farmers’ markets that hen-of-the-woods mushrooms could be cultivated. (I have picked them in the woods.) It should have been evident as the Japanese have been growing maitake (same mushroom, Latin Grifola frondosa) on sawdust logs for generations. I expect that now that they have begun showing up on restaurant menus they will become readily available.

I have cooked them before, usually sautéing, but they sometimes get strin