Morel Mushroom Recipes

So, you've just returned from the woods after a morning of mushroom hunting. If you're anything like me, your sack is anything but bulging with the small wonders. But if your hunt was more successful, you may be wondering what to do next. I've gathered a few of my family's recipes to give you some ideas of how to prepare and cook your morels.

Your first task is to clean your mushrooms. Slice each one lengthwise and rinse. Morels are hollow, so don't be surprised to find insects setting up house inside. This may look gross, but it's fine. Just rinse them out and place in a bowl. Cover the mushrooms with cold water and add 1-2 tsp. salt for each cup of water used. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put in the fridge to soak overnight. This helps to get rid of mites and other small insects that you missed with the first rinse. You can repeat this process the next morning if you wish.

When your mushrooms have been soaked, drain the water and pat them dry. Then choose one (or all) of the following recipes to try!

The most popular way to prepare morels is to pan fry them. Dip each mushroom in egg, then coat with flour or cornmeal. Fry in oil until golden brown. Place on a plate lined with paper towels or napkins to soak up the grease and lightly salt. My health-conscious mother prepares them the same way but places them on a cookie sheet and bakes them in a 375 degree oven until golden brown. It takes longer this way, but it's much healthier and there's virtually no mess.

Morels can be used in place of regular mushrooms in any recipe. I've tried them on homemade pizza, and they're great sliced up in soups. For a mushroom Swiss burger that will rival those in restaurants, saute the mushrooms in butter. Place some over a hamburger patty, then top with Swiss cheese. For another fantastic meal, saute your morels, along with onions, in butter and use to top a prepared steak.

My uncle makes this killer quiche with his morels. You'll need:
1 refrigerated pie crust
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. sliced green onions
1/4 c. thinly sliced morels
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
3/4 c. chopped cooked ham or chicken
1 1/2 c. shredded cheese of your choice (Swiss, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Havarti)
1 tbs. flour

Roll out the pie pastry and line a 9-in. pie plate. Line with double thickness of aluminum foil and bake at 450 degrees for 8 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 4-5 minutes more or until crust is set. Remove from oven and reduce the temperature to 325 degrees. While the crust is baking, stir together eggs, half and half, green onions, morels and salt and pepper. Stir in the ham or chicken. Toss together the cheese and flour and add to eggs. Pour this mixture into the baked pie shell and bake at 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let the quiche set up for about 15 minutes before you slice it.

These are just a few of the numerous ways morels can be prepared. They taste great in virtually any recipe or by themselves. Use your imagination and take advantage of these versatile marvels while they last!