RECIPE: Good Morels
INGREDIENTS
• ¼ pound dried morels
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled
and crushed
• ½ cup onions, chopped
• 10 large sprigs thyme
• 2 cups water
• 1 stick unsalted butter,
divided in half
• 4–6 ounces fresh morels, cleaned and chopped
into ½-inch pieces
• ¼ cup scallions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon red-wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper
• 4 steaks, grilled according
to personal preference
MOREL CODE: These distinctive-looking ‘shrooms—avidly hunted in Indiana every spring—are cherished for their smoky, earthy flavor.
MOREL MUSHROOM STEAK SAUCE
Place the dried morels, garlic, onions, and thyme into a small saucepan and cover with the water. Add a large pinch of salt and bring to a simmer; cook for approximately 3 minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat and let it steep for 20 minutes. Strain it through a fine sieve, pressing on the solids to get the flavor out. Save the liquid and discard the solids. Return the liquid to the pan and reduce over medium heat until about ¾ of a cup remains. Set aside.
Melt half of the butter in a saute pan. Add the fresh morels to the pan and cook for 3 minutes, until the mushrooms begin to turn golden brown. Add scallions and cook for 30 seconds. Deglaze with the set-aside mushroom stock and bring to a boil. Swirl in the remaining butter and finish the sauce with red-wine vinegar. Season with salt and black pepper. Pour mushroom sauce over grilled steaks and serve.
WHERE TO PURCHASE
There are no guarantees these places will have an abundance of morels, but they’ve stocked the shelves in years past:
The Fresh Market, 5415 N. College Ave, 317-259-9270
Pogue’s Run Grocer, 2828 E. 10th St., 317-426-4963
Whole Foods Market, 14598 Clay Terrace Blvd., Carmel, 317-569-1517
Whole Foods Market, 1300 E. 86th St.,317-706-0900
Or work straight with the farmer and call George at Copeland Farm (1313 N. Five Points Rd., Greenwood, 317-881-0410) and schedule a pickup.
Photo by Tony Valainis
This article appeared in the April 2013 issue.
