Best 20 Morels Recipes

CHICKEN WITH MORELS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Lift the morels carefully from the hot water in order to leave any grit behind in the liquid. Rinse a few times to be sure all the grittiness is gone. Discard the liquid and dry the morels lightly with paper towels. Set aside.
• Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Dredge them in flour and shake off the excess. Heat half the clarified butter in a large saute pan and cook the chicken in 2 batches over medium-low heat until browned on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove to an ovenproof casserole.
• Add the rest of the clarified butter to the pan along with the shallots, drained morels, and garlic. Saute over medium heat for 2 minutes, tossing and stirring constantly. Pour the Madeira into the pan and reduce the liquid by half over high heat, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the creme fraiche, cream, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 3¿4 teaspoon pepper. Boil until the mixture starts to thicken, 5 to 10 minutes. Pour the sauce over the chicken and bake for 12 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through. To make ahead, refrigerate the chicken and sauce in the casserole and reheat slowly on top of the stove.

ASPARAGUS WITH MORELS AND TARRAGON

Steps:

• Put morels, porcinis or both in a bowl with very hot water to cover; soak until soft, about 20 minutes. Drain morels and reserve soaking liquid. Cut morels in half; if porcinis are large, chop them roughly.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; when butter is hot and foam has subsided, add shallots and reconstituted and fresh mushrooms to pan. Cook until shallots soften and fresh mushrooms have released their liquid and it has cooked off, about 10 minutes.
• Add asparagus and 1/2 cup reserved liquid to pan. Bring liquid to a boil, cover, reduce heat so mixture simmers, and continue cooking for another 2 to 4 minutes, or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Add cream and tarragon or chervil and continue cooking, uncovered, until sauce thickens slightly and asparagus is tender, about 4 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

RISOTTO WITH ASPARAGUS AND MORELS

Steps:

• Scoop the dried morels up from their soaking liquid and squeeze them, letting them drain back into the bowl. Follow by straining the soaking liquid through several layers of cheesecloth and then rinse the morels under running water before slicing them.
• Prepare the fresh morels. Rinse the morels quickly under cold running water and dry them with paper towels. Slice the tops and stems. In a small skillet, soften the shallots in one tablespoon of the butter over moderate heat. Add all the mushrooms and the strained soaking liquid, cover and cook gently for five minutes. Meanwhile, bring the chicken stock to a slow simmer.
• Heat one tablespoon butter and the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet and add the rice. Cook, stirring, until the grains are coated with the butter. Add a cup of the hot stock and cook, stirring frequently, until the rice has absorbed the liquid. Add the mushrooms and season them with salt and pepper to taste, and add the white wine.
• When the liquid has evaporated, add the asparagus, reserving the tips in another one-half cup of the stock. Continue adding the stock, one-half cup at a time as the rice absorbs the liquid, stirring continuously. Add the asparagus tips after the rice has cooked for about 12 minutes, and continue adding the broth, one-half cup at a time, stirring frequently. Continue adding liquid and stirring until the rice is creamy and tender, but just slightly al dente. Correct seasoning, stir in the Parmesan cheese and the remaining butter and sprinkle with parsley.

CREAMY CHICKEN LIVER PASTA WITH WILD MORELS

Steps:

• Cut stems from mushrooms (reserve for making mushroom stock, if desired) and cut them to bottom into halves or quarters. If they seem at all sandy, swish them very briefly in a bowl of warm water and blot on kitchen towels, then set aside. Put a large pot of water on to boil for the pasta.
• Trim chicken livers: cut each liver into two lobes, discarding any veiny bits, then cut livers into 1-inch pieces. Put about 1 cup flour in a low bowl and add 1 teaspoon salt, a generous amount of black pepper and a pinch of cayenne. Dip liver chunks in flour mixture, then set them aside in one layer on a baking sheet.
• Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium high heat. Quickly brown liver pieces on all sides, then remove them from the pan and blot on paper towels.
• Add butter and shallots to pan and cook, stirring frequently, until shallots are softened and beginning to brown, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms, season generously with salt and pepper and cook them together with the shallots for about 5 minutes, until they are somewhat soft.
• Add sherry and cook for a minute or so, then add 2 cups chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and add previously browned liver. Cook for about 5 minutes. It should look quite saucy. Add more chicken stock, if necessary. Taste and adjust seasoning. Stir in crème fraîche and turn off heat
• Boil pasta until al dente and drain. While pasta is cooking, beat egg yolks, lemon juice and lemon zest together in a small bowl. Pour egg mixture slowly into chicken liver sauce, then stir for a minute or so over low heat until slightly thickened, being careful not to curdle egg.
• Divide pasta among bowls and spoon sauce over. Mix tarragon, parsley and chives together and sprinkle over each serving. Scatter prosciutto ribbons on top, if using, and serve immediately.

VEAL CHOPS WITH MORELS

Steps:

• Put morels in a small mixing bowl and add hot water to cover. Let stand 30 minutes or longer. Drain the mushrooms and pat dry.
• Sprinkle chop with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Heat one tablespoon of the butter in a saucepan and add shallots. Cook briefly, stirring, and add the mushrooms. Cook, stirring, about 2 minutes. Add lemon juice and cover. Cook about 3 minutes.
• Add half the white wine, cover and cook 5 minutes. Add the cream, cover and cook about 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper and the Madeira wine. Swirl in 1 teaspoon butter. Set aside.
• Dredge chop in flour and shake off excess.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet and add the chop. Cook over moderately high heat until browned on one side, about 5 minutes.
• Turn the chop and cook about 15 minutes. Transfer chop to a warm platter.
• Pour off most of the fat from skillet and add remaining tablespoon of white wine. Stir to dissolve the brown particles that cling to bottom of the skillet. Add chicken broth and cook over relatively high heat until liquid is reduced by half. Spoon mushroom sauce into the skillet and stir to blend. Bring to a boil and add the chop. Turn the chop in the sauce.
• Serve chop with the sauce spooned over and with fine buttered noodles as accompanying dish.

RISOTTO WITH MORELS

Steps:

• Put the morels in a small bowl, add the water and set aside to soak for 30 minutes. Drain the morels, reserving the liquid. Mix the liquid with the stock and place in a saucepan. Keep at a low simmer.
• Heat the butter in a heavy saucepan, add the onion and garlic and saute over medium-low heat until tender but not brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in the rice and cook, stirring, a few minutes until the rice begins to whiten. Add the wine and the morels. Stir.
• Gradually add the simmering stock, about half a cup at a time, stirring constantly. Add additional stock as each ladleful becomes absorbed into the rice. Continue adding the stock until the rice has swelled and is al dente. Continue to cook, stirring, another minute or so. The rice should be just tender and moistened with a thickened sauce.
• Serve dusted with Parmesan cheese.

VEAL MEDALLIONS WITH FRENCH MORELS

Steps:

• In a heatproof bowl, soak the morels in the boiling water until softened, about 30 minutes. Remove and rinse under running water, rubbing to loosen any grit. Let the soaking liquid stand.
• Season the veal with salt and pepper, then dust with flour. In a very large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in the oil. Add the veal and cook over high heat until browned on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn and cook until browned on the bottom and the meat is just pink inside, about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the veal to a warmed platter and cover loosely with foil.
• Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in the same skillet. Add the garlic,shallots and thyme and cook over low heat, stirring, until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the wine and boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom, until almost evaporated, about 4 minutes. Add the morels and their liquid, leaving any grit behind. Cover and simmer over low heat until the morels are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and any veal juices and simmer over moderately high heat until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the creme fraiche and simmer until thickened, about 4 minutes. Add the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
• Return the veal medallions to the skillet and simmer for 1 minute, turning once. Transfer the veal and sauce to a platter or plates. Discard thyme. Garnish with scallions.

SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH RAMPS, MORELS, AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Melt butter in medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add ramp bulbs and stems to skillet; sauté 3 minutes. Add green tops, asparagus, and mushrooms; sauté until ramps are soft and asparagus is crisp-tender, about 9 minutes. Add eggs to skillet; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir until eggs are very softly set, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide scrambled eggs between 2 plates and serve immediately.

CHICKEN FRICASSEE WITH MORELS AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat 2 teaspoons of butter in a large, wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan. Lower the heat to medium, place 1 teaspoon of butter and the shallots in the pan and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds.
• Add the broth, wine and thyme and bring to a simmer. Add the chicken and bring back to a simmer. Cover and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken and tent with foil to keep warm. Increase the heat and simmer the liquid until it has reduced to 1 cup, about 10 minutes. Remove the thyme.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add the asparagus and blanch until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Heat the remaining butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and the morels and saute until tender, about 4 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir the cream, 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste into the sauce. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Divide the chicken among 4 plates and spoon the sauce over it. Place the asparagus and morels around the chicken, sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.

FETTUCCINE WITH MORELS, ASPARAGUS, AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• In a heavy skillet cook the shallot in the butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is softened, add the wine, and simmer the mixture until the wine is reduced by half. Add the broth and the morels, sliced crosswise, and simmer the mixture, covered, for 10 minutes, or until the morels are tender. Add the cream and the goat cheese and cook the mixture over low heat, stirring, until the cheese is melted. Stir in the asparagus, the chives, and salt and pepper to taste and keep the sauce warm. In a kettle of boiling salted water cook the fettuccine until it is al dente, drain it well, and in a bowl toss the pasta with the sauce.

ASPARAGUS WITH MORELS AND TARRAGON

Steps:

• Cook white and green asparagus separately in a 5- to 6-quart pot of boiling salted water , uncovered, until just tender, about 5 minutes for white asparagus; about 3 minutes for green asparagus.
• Transfer asparagus with a slotted spoon to a colander and rinse under cold water (to stop cooking), then drain again. Pat dry.
• Heat 3 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté shallots, stirring, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add morels and sauté, stirring frequently, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add asparagus, tarragon, salt, pepper, and remaining 3 tablespoons butter and sauté, stirring, until heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Serve immediately.

POACHED WILD SALMON WITH PEAS AND MORELS

Steps:

• Place salmon, skin side down, in a large high-sided skillet. Add wine, 2 tablespoons salt, and cold water to cover salmon by 1/2". Cover pan; bring liquid to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, uncover, and gently poach salmon until just cooked through and barely opaque in the center, about 6 minutes, depending on thickness. Transfer salmon and 2 tablespoons poaching liquid to a plate; tent loosely with foil.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup salmon poaching liquid and peas and simmer until peas begin to soften, 2-3 minutes. Add cream and bring sauce to a simmer. Cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Using a spatula, transfer salmon, skin side up, to paper towels. Gently peel off and discard skin. Invert onto serving plates and spoon sauce over. Garnish with chives.

CHICKEN BREASTS WITH MORELS

Steps:

• Put morels in mixing bowl and add warm water to cover. Let stand 30 minutes or longer. Drain.
• Put each chicken breast half on flat surface, trim off all remnants of fat and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in small heavy skillet and add 1 tablespoon of shallots. Cook, stirring, until wilted. Add drained morels, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, about 1 minute and add 1/2 of wine. Cook until liquid is reduced by half. Add cream and cook 2 minutes.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in skillet large enough to hold chicken in one layer. Add chicken pieces and cook over moderately high heat. As chicken pieces cook, stir gently without turning about 3 minutes or until nicely browned. Turn and continue cooking about 5 minutes.
• Transfer chicken to warm serving dish, arranging neatly. Add remaining shallots to skillet and stir briefly. Add remaining wine and stir to dissolve brown particles that cling to bottom of pan. Cook down until not quite evaporated. Add chicken broth and cook 1 minute.
• Heat morels in cream and spoon around chicken.
• Swirl remaining tablespoon of butter into sauce with chicken broth and spoon over chicken pieces.

LASAGNA WITH ASPARAGUS, LEEKS, AND MORELS

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks; cook until wilted, stirring often, about 4 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in same skillet. Add asparagus, mushrooms, and thyme. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; sauté until asparagus is crisp-tender, stirring often, about 4 minutes. Add to bowl with leeks and toss to distribute evenly. Add broth, cream, and bay leaf to same skillet and boil over high heat until slightly thickened, about 6 minutes. Sprinkle flour over and whisk to blend. Boil until sauce thickens, about 1 minute, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in nutmeg; discard bay leaf. Season to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Vegetables and sauce can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat four 2-cup shallow oval or round baking dishes with nonstick spray. Break off corners of noodles to fit flatly into dishes. Spoon 1/4 cup sauce into each dish. Place 1 noodle atop sauce. Scatter 1/4 cup vegetable mixture over, spreading in even layer. Drizzle 2 tablespoons sauce over. Sprinkle rounded tablespoonful cheese over each. Repeat layering 2 more times with noodles, vegetables, sauce, and cheese. Drizzle remaining sauce over lasagnas.
• Cover each dish tightly with foil. Place on rimmed baking sheet and bake until noodles are tender, about 40 minutes. Uncover and bake until sauce is bubbling and cheese begins to brown, about 6 minutes. Let stand at room temperature 5 minutes before serving.

WHITE ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH MORELS

Steps:

• Snap off ends of white asparagus. Trim triangular leaves from sides, and peel spears. Cut top 2 inches off spears. Finely slice rest.
• Place tops in saucepan of salted water. Simmer 8 minutes. Add wild asparagus or green tips; simmer 2 minutes. Drain.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in 2-quart saucepan. Add shallot and garlic; sauté over medium-low heat until tender. Do not brown. Remove half of shallot and garlic; set aside. Add sliced asparagus to saucepan, with chicken stock, bay leaf, 2 sprigs thyme and salt and white pepper to taste. Simmer 10 minutes, until asparagus is very soft.
• Put morels in small saucepan. Add 1/2 cup water, reserved shallots, garlic and remaining thyme. Simmer 2 minutes, until water is almost evaporated. Add asparagus tops and wild asparagus or green tips, toss, and season with salt and pepper. Remove thyme.
• Remove herbs from saucepan with sliced asparagus. Add cream and remaining butter. Return to a simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to blender jar. Blend on very low a few seconds, then blend on highest speed about one minute.
• Divide morels, asparagus tops and wild asparagus or green tips in each of four soup bowls. Pour soup over, and serve. (Soup and garnish can also be chilled and served cold.

RICOTTA GNOCCHI WITH ASPARAGUS, PEAS, AND MORELS

Steps:

• For gnocchi:
• Line a baking dish with 3 layers of paper towels; spoon ricotta onto paper towels and let sit 20 minutes (if the ricotta is too wet, the dough won't hold together).
• Combine ricotta, eggs, Parmesan, and salt in a food processor; season with pepper and process until smooth. Add flour and pulse just to combine (mixture should be smooth and fairly wet). Transfer gnocchi mixture to a pastry bag fitted with 1/2" round tip or a large resealable plastic bag.
• DO AHEAD: Gnocchi mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Cover pastry tip and chill.
• For vegetables and assembly:
• Cook asparagus in a large pot of boiling salted water until bright green and crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Using tongs or a mesh strainer, transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool; drain. Slice asparagus on the diagonal into bite-size pieces, leaving tips intact.
• Reduce heat so water is simmering. If using a resealable plastic bag for gnocchi mixture, cut a 1/2" opening in bottom of bag. Working in 3 batches, pipe dough into pot, cutting off 1" lengths with a paring knife and letting dough drop into water. Cook until doubled in size, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer gnocchi to a lightly oiled baking sheet. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking liquid.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook morels, tossing occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add shallot and cook, tossing occasionally, until shallot and morels are soft, about 5 minutes; set aside.
• Add gnocchi, asparagus, peas, butter, and reserved cooking liquid to skillet with morels. Cook, tossing gently, until vegetables are warm and sauce has thickened slightly, about 2 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with chives, Parmesan, and lemon zest.

BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH MORELS AND TARRAGON-MARSALA SAUCE

Steps:

• If using dried morels, place in 2-cup measuring cup. Add enough hot water to reach 1 1/2-cup mark; let soak until soft, about 20 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup soaking liquid. Cut morels in half if large.
• Meanwhile, sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add steaks and cook to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer steaks to plates.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to skillet; add morels and green onions and sauté until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add cream, 1 tablespoon tarragon, Marsala, and reserved 1/2 cup morel soaking liquid or beef broth; simmer until thickened to light sauce consistency, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over steaks, sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon tarragon, and serve.

VEAL CHOPS WITH ASPARAGUS AND MORELS

Steps:

• Cook asparagus in large saucepan of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain. Transfer asparagus to bowl of ice water. Drain well. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap asparagus in paper towels; place in resealable plastic bag and chill.
• Preheat oven to 425°F. Heat 2 tablespoons peanut oil in heavy large ovenproof skillet or wide pot with lid over medium-high heat. Add morels and saut° until tender and browned, about 8 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer morels to bowl (do not clean skillet).
• Heat 1 tablespoon peanut oil in same skillet over high heat. Sprinkle veal chops with flour, salt, and pepper. Add veal chops to skillet; cook until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to plate. Add remaining 1 tablespoon peanut oil to same skillet; add shallot halves, 6 whole sage leaves, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves to skillet and saut until shallots are softened, about 6 minutes. Return veal chops to skillet; cover and roast in oven until tender, about 12 minutes. Transfer chops and shallot mixture to plate. Add remaining peanut oil to skillet; add 1/3 cup minced shallots, sliced sage leaves, and garlic and sauté 3 minutes. Add asparagus, morels, and broth; simmer until asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes. Return veal chops to skillet, cover, and cook just until heated through and liquid is slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Transfer veal chops, morel-asparagus mixture, and pan juices to plates. Sprinkle with chopped chives and serve.
• What to Drink:
• A lighter-style Pinot Noir would be great with the veal chops. We like the earthy, dark berry flavors of the Domaine Jean Grivot 2004 "Les Charmois" Nuits-St.-Georges ($47).

VEAL CHOPS WITH MORELS

Steps:

• If dried morels are used, place them in a mixing bowl and add hot but not boiling water to cover. Let stand until the water is cool. Drain the morels and pat dry. If fresh mushrooms are used, slice them and set aside.
• Heat four tablespoons of the butter in a skillet over medium heat and add the shallots. Cook briefly, about half a minute, stirring, and add the mushrooms. Cook, shaking the skillet and stirring, about three minutes. Add the lemon juice, and cover and cook five minutes over low heat. Add two tablespoons of the white wine, and cover and cook over very low heat for five minutes. Add the cream, cover and cook over slightly higher heat about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. At this point, the cream should be reduced and thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste and the Madeira or Sherry.
• Dredge the chops in the flour and shake off any excess. Heat the remaining butter and the oil in a heavy skillet large enough to hold the chops in one layer. Cook over relatively high heat about five minutes, or until nicely browned on one side. Turn and cook the chops about five to 10 minutes on the second side until they are just cooked through. Do not overcook or the chops will become dry.
• Remove the chops to a serving platter and keep them warm. Pour off most of the fat from the skillet. Add the remaining wine and cook briefly. Add the broth and cook over relatively high heat until reduced to about one-third cup. Add the mushrooms in cream sauce and blend. Pour over the chops and serve.

RISOTTO WITH PROSCIUTTO AND MORELS

Steps:

• Place the mushrooms in a mixing bowl and add the 2 cups of hot water. Let stand 30 minutes or until softened.
• Remove and squeeze the mushrooms. Strain the soaking liquid through a double thickness of cheesecloth to eliminate sand. Pour the liquid into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook down until reduced to about 1 1/4 cups. Add the chicken or beef broth, and bring barely to a simmer. Keep the mixture at a bare simmer as you cook the rice.
• Cut the mushrooms in half and set aside.
• Put the pancetta in a small skillet and cook until rendered of fat. Drain the pieces and set aside.
• Melt half the butter and the oil in a large saucepan with a heavy bottom. Add the onion and cook over fairly low heat, stirring often, until the onion starts to brown. Add the pancetta and rice. Cook briefly until the rice is coated.
• Add 1 cup of the broth and cook, stirring, until liquid is absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• Add 1/2 cup of broth and cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the prosciutto and another 1/2 cup of broth. Cook, stirring, until liquid is absorbed, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Continue cooking the rice, adding the broth, half a cup at a time, for a total of approximately 25 minutes. After the rice has cooked for about half that time, add the mushrooms. There may be about half a cup of broth that has not been used. Save it for another use.
• Stir the remaining butter and cheese into the risotto and serve. Serve, if desired, with red Treviso or radicchio salad (see recipe).