Finding Minnesota Morel Mushrooms

When the Lilac’s begin to bloom it’s time to start hunting. Visitor’s to Fat Man’s Landing know when winter’s chilly breeze is replaced by the warm sun and smells of Mother Earth’s fall display decaying, you will find me hunting for my favorite mushroom — the Morel. How do you find Morel’s?

TIP: Search south-facing hillsides for trees that have died and are now loosing their bark. Look around the base of trees and as far out as 30-feet!

Wild Morel Mushroom Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 -1/2 cups fresh Morel mushrooms
• 1 cup water
• 2 tbs butter
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 Green onions
• 5 cups beef stock (cook roast in crock-pot for pulled beef sandwiches; save the juices)
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 2 fresh chives roughly chopped
• salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat oil and butter in a large skillet. Add chopped green onions, garlic and 1 sprig fresh thyme and sauté for 5 minutes.
2. Chop fresh Morel mushrooms and add to the pan. Stir over medium heat until softened. Pour in the beef stock and bring to boil. Add fresh thyme, salt and pepper. Lower the heat, half cover the pan and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Pour about 3/4 of the soup into a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Return to the remaining soup, stir in the cream and heat thoroughly. Check consistency, adding more stock or water if the soup is too thick. Serve hot and sprinkle with chopped chives and fresh thyme.

Special Note: You can add Horseradish to spice to give it some kick!

Related articles

• Grow Backyard Morel Mushrooms this Spring (greenreview.blogspot.de)
• Morel Mushrooms Flourish This Spring (prweb.com)