8ozhen of the woods or other wild mushrooms Huitlacoche works good too
½ teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
good pinch dried oregano crumbled between your fingers
3Tchili powderpreferably made from freshly toasted and ground, dried chilis, such as guajillos
1teaspoonground cumin
1large garlic clove
1small onion
4tablespoonsunsalted butter
½teaspoonsmoked paprika
¼-½teaspooncayenne pepperto taste (you may not need this if you make your own chili powder)
1cupmeat or vegetable stock
Serving
Guajillo broth
3dried guajillo chilis
3cupsmushroomvegetable or meat stock
Garnishes
Cooking oilas needed
Grated cheesesuch as queso chihuahua or mozzarella
Pickled red onions
Chopped cilantro
Sour cream
Your favorite salsa
Instructions
Mushroom taco mix
Preheat the oven to 300 F.
Melt the butter in a 1 quart or similarly-sized saucepot. Grind the mushrooms, onions and garlic to a coarse paste in a food processor, then add to the saucepot and sweat for five minutes.
Add the remaining ingredients and bake for 30 minutes or until the pan is nearly dry. Season the mixture to taste with salt until it tastes good to you, then serve as you would taco meat.
To make the tacos as pictured
Toast the guajillo chilis until crisp and brittle, then break in half and remove the seeds. Combine the warmed stock in a blender with the chilis and puree until smooth, then strain and reserve.
Heat a comal or griddle lightly with oil. One at a time, put a corn tortilla into the stock and allow it to sit for a five-count. Remove the tortillas directly to the griddle, top with some cheese, and cook until the tacos are lightly browned and crisp on the bottom.
Put a dollop of taco meat, along with red onions and cilantro on each taco if using, then fold the tacos over, pressing them down lightly. Transfer finished tacos to a warm oven while you finish the rest.
Notes
Mushroom Substitutions
I used hen of the woods or maitake mushrooms here, but many others can be used. It's fine to use portobello, button mushrooms or cremini, too. If you use cultivated mushrooms, adding some shiitakes can improve the flavor.