Morel mushrooms are a type of fungus that grow in the spring and early summer. They're usually found in forests and woodlands, although they can also be found in meadows and grasslands.
The most distinctive feature of morels is their shape: they look like honeycombs or sponge-like mounds with hollowed out centers. The caps are generally between 1 to 6 inches tall, but they can get up to 9 inches when they're fully mature!
Morels have an earthy flavor that's slightly nutty, which makes them perfect for pairing with other strong flavors like cheese or meat dishes--or even just eating on their own!
Morels are available in the YYC Growers online store → here (while quantities last).
Health Benefits of Morel Mushrooms
Morel mushrooms are a great source of protein, fiber and minerals. They also contain antioxidants like selenium, which can help protect against oxidative stress and cancer. Morel mushrooms have anti-inflammatory effects that can be beneficial for people with asthma or arthritis.
How to Prepare Morel Mushrooms
Cleaning: Morels are a delicate mushroom that should be treated with care. To clean them, simply brush off any dirt or debris with a soft brush and rinse under cold water. You can also use a damp cloth to wipe away any dirt or grit from the surface of your morels before cooking them.
To store fresh morels, keep them in the refrigerator for up to two days (if you have leftovers after that time period, they will need to be frozen). If you're planning on using dried morels in soups or sauces later on down the line but don't want them sitting out at room temperature for too long before adding them into your dish--and who does?--a sealed container works great! Just make sure it's not airtight so moisture doesn't build up inside while keeping out harmful bacteria (which could lead to spoilage).
Recipes Using Morel Mushrooms
Morel mushrooms are delicious and versatile. They can be used in soups, salads, sauces, stir-fries and risottos. They also make great additions to pastas and pizzas.
Morels have a rich flavor that goes well with other foods like chicken or fish. You can use them as an ingredient in your favorite pasta sauce or pizza toppings if you want something different than the usual tomato sauce base for your dish!
Homemade green nettle pasta with fried spring morel mushrooms on a plate
How to Incorporate Morel Mushrooms Into Your Diet
Eat them fresh: Morel mushrooms can be eaten raw or cooked, but they're best when cooked lightly so that their texture remains firm and chewy. They work well in salads, on sandwiches or burgers (think morel mushroom mayo), or as a side dish with eggs at breakfast time!
Use them as a seasoning: The earthy flavor of morels pairs well with other ingredients like butter and cream cheese for making sauces that go well over pasta dishes or baked potatoes; try adding some dried thyme into the mix too if you want something extra special! These flavors also complement each other nicely when used together in soups or stews--just add some chopped onions along with some chicken broth before simmering away until tender enough for serving up hot bowls full of goodness on cold winter nights."
Pairing Morel Mushrooms With Other Foods
Morel mushrooms are delicious on their own, but they can also be paired with other foods to create a more complex flavor. Here are some suggestions:
Herbs and spices: Morels have a strong earthy flavor that works well with herbs like thyme or rosemary. They also go well with spices like black pepper and coriander seed.
Cheeses: A cheese plate is a great way to showcase the unique taste of morels. Try pairing them with cheddar, Gruyere, or bleu cheese for an especially delicious combination!
Meats: Morel mushrooms pair especially well with pork chops or chicken cutlets--just make sure not to overcook them so that all those lovely juices stay inside your meat instead of running out onto your plate (or into your mouth). If you're feeling adventurous try adding some diced bacon bits into the mix too - trust me on this one!
Tips and Tricks for Cooking Morel Mushrooms
Morel mushrooms are delicious, but they can be tricky to cook. Here are some tips for making the most of your morel mushrooms:
Sautéing is one of the easiest ways to prepare morels. Heat some butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat, then add sliced or diced morels and sauté until tender--about 5 minutes for sliced; 10 minutes for diced. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Grilling is another great way to cook morels since it allows them to take on a smoky flavor without losing any moisture from the mushroom itself! Simply brush both sides with oil before placing them on an outdoor grill at high heat until browned--about 2 minutes per side should do it! You'll know they're done when they start smelling like burnt marshmallows (in a good way).
Roasting also works well because it gives off an earthy aroma similar to baking breads like baguettes or ciabatta loaves! Heat oven up between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit depending upon how much moisture you want left inside after roasting has finished - try experimenting with different temperatures until finding what works best based upon personal preference/preference within family members who may eat these tasty treats too :)
plated chicken roast dinner in restuarant kitchen with gravy morel mushrooms and carrot
Preserving Morel Mushrooms
If you want to preserve morels for future use, there are several options.
Drying: The most common method of preserving morels is by drying them in a dehydrator or oven at low temperatures (around 100-110 degrees Fahrenheit). This process can take anywhere from two days to two weeks depending on how much moisture remains in your mushrooms upon harvesting them. Once dried, store them in an airtight container until ready for use!
Freezing: If you don't want to dry your mushrooms but still want to keep them fresh for later use, freezing is another option! Simply place cleaned and trimmed morels onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets before placing them into the freezer overnight--this will ensure that they're not stuck together when frozen solid. Then transfer directly into plastic freezer bags once fully frozen; this will prevent any freezer burn from occurring while preserving their flavor as well as texture over time!
Where to Buy Morel Mushrooms
Morel mushrooms are a delicious and unique mushroom, but they can be difficult to find. Many local stores do not carry them, so you normally have to go online or look at farmers markets if you want to try them out. Luckily, Pennybuns Mushrooms has us covered!
Morels are available in the YYC Growers online store → here (while quantities last).
Conclusion
Now that you know more about these tasty mushrooms, it's time to put them in your mouth!
Try one of our recipes: https://www.mushroomthejournal.com/recipes/morel-mushrooms/
Or explore some more and find a few more favorites: https://www.mushroomthejournal.com/explore-the-deliciousness-of-morel-mushrooms/.