Kurakding in Coconut Milk, Linagang Kurakding

Kurakding, also known as split gill mushrooms, is a popular type of fungus in the Bicol region. It is cultivated for a favorite coconut milk dish and is considered an expensive commodity due to its rarity. Kurakding has a light-brown color and is small to medium in size, often growing in groups on moist decaying logs or tree branches. In Bicol, it is typically stewed in coconut milk with lima beans, pork belly cubes, chili peppers, garlic, onions, salt, and peppers, and sometimes bagoong alamang (shrimp paste) is added.

Miles’ Linagang (Ginataan) Kurakding recipe follows the same basic process, with the addition of lima beans, chili peppers, and spices. The Kurakding and lima beans are cooked in the coconut milk with pork belly and spices before being stewed together. It’s an exotic delicacy and may not be for everyone, but when prepared well, it is sure to impress. Give it a try and experience the unique flavors of Bicol cuisine.

Ingredients: 3-4 servings

2 bags(200 gm) of kurakding fungi(split gill mushrooms)
2 lbs. of pork liempo(pork belly) in cube sizes
1 cup of skinned percoles(lima beans)
2 cups of freshly grated coconut milk
1 cup of water
3 tbsp. of bagoong alamang(shrimp paste), salt reduced
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 medium, sliced red onion
1/2 cup of sliced siling labuyo(Filipino chili peppers)
salt & pepper to taste

Cooking Procedure:

1. Clean and wash Kurakding fungi. Soak them in water for 10-15 minutes, dry them, then set aside.
2. Wash, skin and soak percoles(lima beans in warm water for 10 minutes.
3. Combine all ingredients including the lima beans and pork belly cubes in coconut milk and water on a large pan. Add the Kurakding mushrooms, mix thoroughly to combine.
4. Heat up oven to medium temperature. Bring the Linagang Kurakding in to a boil and let it simmer for at least 30-35 minutes, while occasionally stirring coconut mixture.
5. Close the pan with its lid and continue to simmer until all ingredients are soft and tender, the coconut milk is thickened and oily substance appear, and the sauce is almost dry. Serve Linagang Kurakding, hot, with steamed rice. Delicious!

Note: You can also soak lima beans (percoles) in water at the same length of time, if desired. This will help soften the beans faster, just like the Kurakding(split gill mushrooms).

Try adding Malunggay leaves with Linagang Kurakding Fungi in Coconut Milk). Make sure to reduce the salt content from bagoong alamang(shrimp paste) by simply washing them off on a strainer with flowing water.