When I was growing up, my parents would take me to the province, Pangasinan during summer to stay with the grandparents.I remember going to the rice fields, to the farm and even in the backyard and harvesting mushrooms.  The banana mushrooms, I remember were the best mushrooms to eat..They are huge and I wouldl scream everytime I find a big cluster of them, sooooooooo many and it was so exciting, one time my grandmother came running because I was screaming so loud, he thought I was dying..but all for that for the excitement of discovering a field of mushrooms.  And I have the perfect recipe for mushroom.

 (After the rain, the mushrooms sprout everywhere. Above photo was taken at Nasipit, Agusan del Norte market)

Mushrooms cooked in Banana Leaves.

MUSHROOM IN BANANA LEAVES -  ok guys, you need to follow instructions to the letter... no banana leaves no Mushroom ...Find a Filipino store, they have frozen banana leaves. 

Ingredients: 

2 lbs mushrooms (portabelli is the best mushroom in the USA but the regular mushrooms will do) 

One stick of butter 

Salt and pepper 

Banana leaves for wrapping... we are going primitive guys, no aluminum foil. 

Wash the mushrooms and make sure all the dirt are gone.  Drain well. 

Spread the mushrooms in two separate batch of banana leaves.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper, cut the butter into small pieces and distribute evenly on the mushrooms.  Envelope the mushrooms in the banana leaves.  And of course your steak is cooking on the barbequer.  Place the banana leaves on the side of the bbquer, it will cook with the steak.  When the mushroom is cooked, hide the other batch for yourself, it is a sure thing, if you put them all on the table, you will never be able to taste any.  This is a definite SURE BEST SELLER.  Let me cite you an example.  I had a party in the province last year, I had all kinds of recipe from one pig , 40 chickens and plenty of fish.  The whole town was invited to the party.  I bought about 10 lbs of mushroom, had it cooked and went to bed.... when I woke up and ready to eat, all the mushrooms were gone... @#@!%#&  I went ballistic.  I was in tears, mushrooms was the only food I wanted to eat that day, and they served them all to the guests. 

Ooops, the steak is ready,  I am serving dinner, and guess who is knocking on my door and sharing my mushroom dish?  My very good friend Eisa from Jeddah.... and thank you for reminding me about my mushroom recipe...The Edmiral can have his steak, we will have the mushrooms., I am starving....and there is also Beans Almodine for us, we go vegetarian this time Eisa. 

Ok, guys, I am pulling your legs, you can use Aluminum foil in lieu of banana leaves.