Foraging: Morel Mushroom Flatbread

 Old Macdonald had a farm, we learned from way back and if he made flatbread, this would be it.  This flatbread's components are staples and part of everyday farmlife.  We have the grains or bread of course, then we have the meaty, earthy and nutty flavor profile of the morels, then we have our dairy cows with the butter, a little duck fat and a bit of garlic sauteed with the mushrooms, then removed to provide the perfect kiss of goodness. 
I actually used large butter flavored refrigerator biscuits to create the flatbread, creating a delicious and time savvy flavorbomb, with a lid on the stovetop pan to create a mini dutch oven.  After being flipped, the flatbread will reach a crispity, texture filled, crusty bottom, caramelized and to your standard's perfection.  This a recipe perfect for small hauls or when you want something to showcase the mushroom's delightful aromas, texture and flavor. Feel free to toss a few fresh thyme leaves or edible flower petals for an over the top, spectacular presentation! For best results, allow biscuits to sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes, for ease of stretching.

Recipe:
In a medium nonstick pan over medium high heat, melt 1/2 pat of butter and about 1/2 tsp. duck fat.*
Swirl pan to combine and add mushrooms, about 1/4 c. cut in half and 2 smashed cloves of garlic.
Saute for about 2 minutes.
SPST . (Salt and Pepper to Suit Taste)
Meanwhile, take 1 of the jumbo butter biscuits mash and stretch with hands until about 2 1/2 times its normal size, and about 1/4 inch thickness.
Push mushrooms together in pan, remove garlic, making sure textured sides of morels are facing down, then cover with dough.
Turn temperature down to medium heat.
Place a plate or tightly fitting lid over pan to cook/steam the dough.
After about 3 minutes, remove lid and carefully flip flatbread over (you may press on top lightly to ensure mushrooms adhere to bottom) and cover again.
Cook until bottom is slightly crisp and golden brown, but not burned, check as needed.
Place on paper towel to absorb any excess oils.
Makes 1 flatbread.

*If you do not have or want to use duck fat, olive oil, schmaltz (chicken fat) or bacon renderings will make great variations.


If you would like this recipe and future posts delivered right to your mailbox, simply join us by adding your email in the subscription section at the top of the web version!  Thanks in Advance.

Best,
D. Smith :)

Foraging: Black Morel Mushroom Omelet w/ Fresh Asparagus and Aged Gruyere

It's foraging time for Morel mushrooms and I must say, I hit the proverbial jackpot!  In all my years of hunting with my best mate and his family, as well as more recently, my sister Bonnie and brother in Law Jackie, this time I was alone and happening by a location where I'd previously photo documented around 30 other types of mushrooms, most I never knew existed.  I was mid sentence describing the mushrooms I'd logged before, when my eyes beheld one large elusive and magical morel, standing tall within 10 feet of my car window.  I immediately stopped my vehicle exclaiming how I thought I was certain that I'd finally found a morel, after 3 long years.  

I  hustled from the car , explaining what was happening to my cousin Bradley, who happened to join me during tasking earlier in the day.  I looked around from the first morel and the impromptu hunt went into full swing! I was ecstatic, scurrying to and fro, shouts of joy on repeat for the next 30 minutes.  In all, we accumulated just over 120 morel mushrooms, and made up for all those years, of hoping and wishing upon the mushroom star, I felt like a champion, with a glow of satisfaction for the remainder of the day.  

That was Tuesday. The following recipe is derived from the morels I found with my kiddoes yesterday, for class outside. They even found a couple each and I was super stoked for them. We found around 25 yesterday at the same location. 

If you are a mushroom enthusiast, I hope you get a chance to feel the excitement and get your hunt on , I have a hunch that the 'Hickory Chickens' are running rampant this year! Happy Hunting!

Recipe:

For One Omelet

1/2 c. morels, (soaked in salted water for 5-10 minutes, swished, squeezed dry and placed on paper towel)

Halve Morels

1 pat butter

 Olive oil for drizzling

SPST (Salt and Pepper to Suit Taste

3 large eggs

1/4 c. asparagus tips

Aged Gruyere to taste, optional

Saute morels and asparagus over medium high heat with butter and a drizzle of olive oil

Remove from pan after about 2 minutes, and add beaten eggs to pan.

Swirl and shake pan and turn heat down to medium. 

Flip egg before adding Morels and Asparagus to one side of the egg.

Remove from heat.

Grate or Shave a scant amount of cheese over veggies.

Fold the unadorned side onto the deliciousness. 

If you would like this recipe and future posts delivered right to your mailbox, simply join us by adding your email in the subscription section at the top of the web version!  Thanks in Advance.

Best,
D. Smith :)