Glossary of food terms: O

Oyster mushrooms

An ear-shaped silvery-grey or greyish-brown mushroom that grows in clumps or clusters. It's now cultivated so it's more readily available and found in most supermarkets.

Oyster mushrooms have a subtle flavour and are often used in oriental cookery. They cook down to virtually nothing and are quite expensive, so they're often used in combination with other mushrooms.

Oyster mushrooms are called 'pleurottes' in French.

• Purple sprouting broccoli and oyster mushrooms in ginger broth with pumpkin dumplings
• Scallops with oloroso sherry, oyster mushrooms and migas
• Oyster mushroom and shallot tart with sunblush tomato purée