‘I’ve eaten many strange and scrumptious dishes in my time,
Like jellied gnats and dandyprats and earwigs cooked in slime,
And mice with rice – they’re really nice when roasted in their prime.
(But don’t forget to sprinkle them with just a pinch of grime.)’
Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes and Revolting Recipes
The 13th September, is Roald Dahl Day, a celebration of the much-loved author whose fantastical stories have entertained children (and adults!) for over 40 years. From Matilda to The BFG and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dahl had an unmatched gift for sparking imaginations with worlds full of both wonder and wickedness.
One of the most memorable features of his stories is the food. But not ordinary meals – Dahl dreamt up dishes that were strange, mysterious, and often a little disgusting. Just think of the snozzcumbers in The BFG, or the feast of lickable wallpaper and Everlasting Gobstoppers in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. These meals did more than feed characters, they deepened the magic of his worlds.
Magical meals in real life
While Dahl’s foods might have been make-believe (and often inedible!), they inspire us to reimagine what’s on our own plates. And when it comes to mysterious, whimsical food that feels straight out of a storybook, mushrooms might just be the perfect star ingredient.
Mushrooms are earthy, versatile, and a little bit magical in their own right. They appear in fairy tales and folklore as enchanted toadstools, forest treasures, or even secret potions. Just like Dahl’s fantastical inventions, mushrooms blur the line between the ordinary and the extraordinary.
Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes
Revolting Recipes is a cookbook that takes the quirky and unusual foods from Dahl’s stories and turns them into real recipes. Illustrated by Quentin Blake, it shows readers how to recreate dishes from his books, from Snozzcumbers to Bogtrotter’s Chocolate Cake.
The cookbook encourages creativity and curiosity in the kitchen, demonstrating that food can be both fun and imaginative. Even if you don’t attempt the more unusual dishes, it offers insight into Dahl’s playful approach to storytelling and food, making it a perfect companion for little bookworms.
Roald Dahl-inspired mushroom dishes
Here are some fun ideas to celebrate Roald Dahl Day with a mushroom twist:
- “Snozzcumber Stuffed Mushrooms” – Giant portobellos stuffed with herbs, breadcrumbs, and cheese. Delicious, but wacky enough to pass as a BFG-inspired feast.
- “Willy Wonka’s Golden Mushroom Risotto” – Creamy mushroom risotto finished with a sprinkle of edible gold dust (or just parmesan for everyday magic).
- “Fantastic Mr. Fox’s Forest Feast” – A hearty mushroom and vegetable pie, perfect for sharing with the whole family.
- “George’s Marvellous Mushroom Soup” – A warming blend of wild mushrooms, garlic, and cream, served with crusty bread. (No questionable ingredients required!)
If you’re a fan of Roald Dahl’s weird and wonderful food creations, you’ll love this post from Eats Amazing, where Grace shares some brilliant Roald Dahl Day lunchbox ideas.
(Image © Eats Amazing, used here for commentary — see the full post here)
Mushrooms: The Real-Life Mystery Food
Dahl may never have written about mushrooms directly, but if ever there was a food that feels straight out of his imagination, it’s mushrooms:
- They pop up overnight like a surprise.
- They hide in forests like secret treasure.
- And with their shapes and colours (from tiny button mushrooms to toadstools that look like fairy umbrellas), they could easily belong in Willy Wonka’s factory or Fantastic Mr Fox’s feast.
Why not celebrate Roald Dahl Day by cooking up something a little unusual? Let your imagination run wild, sprinkle in some magic (and maybe a pinch of grime if you’re feeling authentic), and enjoy a mushroom feast worthy of a Dahl character.
In Dahl’s words, “Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
