Ahh, nature’s Easter egg hunt. Every spring, thousands of morel hunters across the nation scavenge their local woods for these honeycomb-like mushrooms.

Much loved by gourmet chefs, especially those specializing in French cuisine, these mushrooms are an exquisite treat for any dish.  

Fortunately, their decadent taste  can be found for free – maybe even in your back yard. Morels often grow two to three years following areas hit by forest fires. Climates that are wet and cool and receive recent rainfall harvest excellent growing conditions for the fungi. Rotting or decaying roots make a great home for the mushroom as well.  

Take the following recipe for Morel Sauce, provided by Wild-Harvest. Morel sauce can be used as a topping for your favorite beef or chicken dish. 

Morel Sauce: 

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar plus additional to taste
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 24 fresh morels (about 1 pound),cleaned and trimmed (or 1 ounce dried morels, soaked, reserving 1/2 cup soaking liquid) 1/3 cup finely chopped shallots
• 2 cups dry red wine
• 2 cups chicken stock fresh lemon juice to taste

In a small heavy saucepan boil water with sugar, without stirring, until a golden caramel. Remove pan from heat and carefully add red-wine vinegar and 1 tbl. balsamic vinegar down side of pan. Stir mixture over moderate heat until caramel is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat.

In a heavy saucepan cook morels in butter, stirring, over moderate heat until liquid from morels is evaporated, about 5 minutes. Transfer morels with a slotted spoon to a bowl and reserve. Add shallots to pan and cook, stirring, until golden. Stir in wine and boil until reduced to about 1 cup, about 15 minutes.

Add stock and reserved morel soaking liquid (if using dried morels) and reduce to about 1 1/4 cups, about 15 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in caramel mixture. Add morels to sauce with salt and pepper to taste. If desired stir in additional Balsamic Vinegar, 1 teaspoon at a time, and lemon juice.

What constitutes an organic product? Organics must be grown without the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides and without the presence of either industrial or human waste.  Organic foods cannot be processed with food additives or irradiation.  In terms of meat and dairy products, livestock must be raised without the continual use of antibiotics or growth hormones.  They are also much more likely to be fed a healthy diet.  Most countries in the world with organic standards for produce also require that organic foods cannot be genetically modified.  

Researchers have concluded that organic produce contains significantly higher levels of the following:

• Chromium, which prevents Type 2 Diabetes and hardening of the arteries 
• Calcium and Boron, which prevent osteoporosis and build strong bones, especially in small children
• Selenium, which boosts the immune system and prevents heart disease and certain cancers 
• Lithium, an element commonly found in antidepressants and mood stabilizers
• Salicylic acid, an anti-inflammatory which prevents heart disease and eases aches and pains in the body
• Antioxidants, which fight free radicals, protects cells from damage, prevents cancer, and strengthens the immune system
• Magnesium, which prevents death in the case of a heart attack and also helps the body to absorb calcium
• Vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune system and for the absorption of other nutrients

8 steps to deliciously fried food:

1. Be sure to read the instructions that came with your deep fryer.

2. Pour the oil into the fryer, making sure it is well below the indicated maximum fill line.

3. Heat the oil using the temperature dial, being sure the oil is not too hot or too cool.

4. Use a slotted spoon or tongs and carefully add the food if your fryer does not have a basket, being sure not to overfill the fryer.

5. If frozen food is added to the fryer, remove as many ice crystals to reduce spattering.  Closing the lid (if your fryer has one) will also reduce the spatter factor.

6. Be aware that deep-frying is a rapid process. Use the slotted spoon or basket to remove the cooked food.

7. Excess oil on the food can be absorbed with paper towels.

8. Enjoy your delicious, homemade, fried delight!