The blusher. The one problem with this mushroom is that, whilst edible itself, it closely resembles others that are poisonous, including the death cap. It must be cooked as it contains a toxin which is destroyed by heat, like kidney beans. The most identifiable thing about it is that this reddish brown mushroom with pinkish grey scales and a white stem colours pink to red at sites of damage or bruising. The gills and flesh are white, also becoming red or pink on bruising. It is most commonly found in beech woods in summer to late autumn (US: fall). Also look closely at the ring on the stem. This should have lots of fine grooves on its upper side, unlike another poisonous mushroom which it closely resembles, the panther cap.
Rascasse. Red scorpion fish. A fish similar to a gurnard, mainly red or orange in colour, with a huge, ugly head and poisonous spiny dorsal fins. The large scaly head is inedible. However, this well-flavoured fish is most famous as an indispensable ingredient of bouillabaisse. It is found in deep waters throughout the Mediterranean and as far north as Brittany. Large fish may be baked, providing firm white flesh.
Fly agaric. A type of mushroom, the classic red with white spots. Famous for its psychoactive hallucinogenic properties this is the magic mushroom and is actually poisonous to eat.
Small red mullet. A high quality fish of a different family from the other (grey) mullets, and which has a far better flavour and lean, firm flesh. Its liver is highly prized. Do not confuse it with gurnard, which has a slightly paler colour. This fish may vary from pinkish-reddish crimson to rosy pink in colour, with a paler underbelly and two long barbels on the chin. This variety is not quite so prized as Mullus surmuletus, which is slightly bigger and has yellowish stripes on its sides.
