Wild Mushroom Strata

A wild mushroom strata is a breakfast casserole made with eggs and bread and is often described as an easy-to-make, savory bread pudding.

Turbotasty.com is a food blog, run by Ozana Nemčanin where she shares her passion for foraged food and the magic of wild mushrooms. What makes her blog different is that most of the recipes you’ll find here are her own creations. She is a bit obsessed with wild mushrooms; they both excite and frighten her. Her deep respect for nature fuels her curiosity and she wants to share the wonders of wild mushrooms in the kitchen.

Her aim? To share a bit of wild mushroom knowledge, one delicious dish at a time. She has even started making field guides to various mushroom places, starting with beginner-friendly ones.

Ozana talks about life, and food and also gives us some recipes including a wild mushroom strata that looks amazing.

Ozana, welcome to Four Columns. I want to know something unique about you.

I’m Ozana Nemčanin, a mother of two boys, wife and entrepreneur. My life has been a rollercoaster of movement and adaptation. Adapting to new environments and constantly learning has been an underlying theme throughout my life journey. You see, I was born in Bosnia during a war in the former Yugoslavia, and as refugees, my family and I had to flee to Croatia. This period of my life was marked by constant transitions, moving from one apartment to another and frequently changing schools, all before I was 12 years old.

But the adventure didn’t stop there. As an adult, I continued this pattern of movement, packing up and moving every few years. I’ve now moved a total of 14 times in my life – quite a record, isn’t it?

I’ve always tried to take the positives out of each experience. It’s taught me a profound lesson about humanity. People are by and large good and willing to help. It’s incredible how open and eager people are to get to know you and learn about you if you reciprocate with the same openness.

During my time in Croatia, I wore the hat of a mathematics and computer science teacher, shaping young minds in high school. But when I moved to Austria, my path took a new turn. Here I’ve ventured into the world of entrepreneurship, specialising in 3D, graphic design and digital marketing. Life’s twists and turns have certainly kept me on my toes, but they’ve also enriched my perspective and skills in ways I could never have predicted.

You are a big fan of mushrooms. Help me understand mushrooms better in the kitchen.

Mushroom delicacies are not only delicious but also incredibly beneficial. Eating mushrooms is a gift that keeps on giving. They’re packed with goodies like vitamin D, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Cooking with mushrooms is a joyful adventure. They’re the chameleons of the culinary world, able to replace meat in almost any dish.

Each type of mushroom has its own unique flavour, making each dish a unique experience. Even if you follow the same recipe but change the type of mushroom, you’ll be on a completely different flavour journey.

I call the woods where I hunt my garden.

What are the advantages of the Keto diet?

Before I started my wild mushroom journey, I had a successful blog dedicated to keto recipes for the ex-Yugoslavian market. This was before the term “influencer” even had a meaning! Keto is what sparked my love of blogging. It’s a fantastic diet if you do it right. It encourages eating whole, unprocessed foods and promotes healthy fats and plenty of low-starch vegetables. Unfortunately, some people misinterpret it and go overboard with protein from meat and eggs, which can cause more problems than benefits if you eat meat that is full of antibiotics and other stuff they give the animals in the industry. Keep it simple, that’s the Keto way! Most people are used to carbohydrate-based energy, but keto changes this to fat-based energy. Once your body becomes fat-adapted, it starts using those fat stores for fuel, including the ones you want to lose. A typical keto diet is about 70% fat, 25% protein and only 5% carbohydrates. Personally, I don’t follow a strict diet, but I love going keto for long periods of time. It’s like having a superpower button to control my energy levels. During my monthly cycle, when I know I might have low-energy days, I turn to keto and fine-tune my fat and carb intake to ride out the ups and downs.

I like your section on vegetarian recipes. Why are vegetables so important to us?

I’ve never been much of a meat eater, I eat meat occasionally, but during mushroom season I can go months without it. Vegetables are not only a source of essential nutrients, they’re also a source of creativity for me. I love experimenting with different combinations, flavours and textures to create delicious vegetable dishes that even meat lovers can’t resist.

I want to know a little about the city you live in and the food scene.

I live in Villach, Austria, my charming little corner of the world nestled in the Alps. With a population of around 60,000, it’s a small town with a big character. Living here is a real blessing. Austria is a country where nature takes centre stage, with around 80% of the country covered in forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, meadows, streams and waterfalls.

Austrians have a love affair with bread 🙂 You can find all kinds of bread, from rustic to sophisticated, sweet to savoury, you name it. But what I find truly remarkable is the Buschenschank tradition. These are places where local farmers can legally serve their own products, often including homemade wines, beers and home-cooked meals. It’s all about tradition, hospitality and showcasing the best of local and home-grown produce. It’s an experience not to be missed if you find yourself in this beautiful part of the world.

In your own words, what does women’s empowerment mean?

In my book, the motto of life is as simple as it gets: You have every right to steer the ship of your own life! For me, women’s empowerment boils down to having the freedom and ability to make the choices that really matter, be it in your personal journey, your career path or your role within your community. It’s about standing up for what you believe in, breaking barriers and helping others to do the same. So let’s continue to empower ourselves and those around us so that we can all reach our full potential! A happy community means a happy life and a happy life means a happier world!

Give my audience a breakfast, lunch and dinner recipe.

Breakfast: Elderflower Pancakes

These airy pancakes are lovingly infused with the gentle fragrance of freshly picked elderflowers. Gather all your necessary ingredients, whip up the batter, and savor the delightful taste of Elderflower Pancakes. This culinary experience blends the thrill of foraging with a wholesome and delicious meal.

Lunch: Wild Mushroom Strata

This dish is a fantastic choice when you have an excess of bread on hand or some wild mushrooms (specifically chanterelles in this instance) in your fridge without a clear plan for them. The Wild Mushroom Strata can accommodate any variety of mushrooms.

In this recipe, I’ve featured chanterelles, but I’ve prepared strata with various other wild mushroom types using the same approach, and it consistently delivers outstanding results.

Lunch: Green Bean Salad

A delightful fusion of crunchy green beans paired with the zesty tastes of feta cheese, garlic, onions, and sun-dried tomatoes. Brimming with wholesome components and adorned with a hint of olive oil, this salad offers both gratification and nourishment.

Dinner: Homemade Beef Burgers

This recipe provides a quick and easy way to craft homemade burgers from scratch without the need for eggs. With this base, you have the freedom to craft a variety of delectable burgers that are bursting with meaty flavor. Plus, they’re a healthier option compared to store-bought alternatives since they contain no additives or unnecessary ingredients.

In the accompanying image, you’ll see a mouthwatering hamburger featuring sautéed chanterelle mushrooms and onions.