THE MOREL OF THE STORY

A Morel, growing in the timber.

Soaking in a salt water bath.

Almost ready to eat.  Can you smell them?

Okay, sorry for the bad pun, I couldn't help myself!  So, if you're from my part of the United States, the Midwest, then you surely know about these precious fungi.  If not, sorry.  You need to get out here in the spring sometime and try some.  When I was a kid, my sisters and I would go mushroom hunting in the timber with our Dad.  Those were some of the best times of my whole life and I'll never forget them.  We'd bring home our treasure and my Mom would soak them in salt water to clean them and coat them with flour and saute them in butter.  Decadent and seriously one of the greatest things I have ever eaten.  I haven't gone hunting for them in a long time, except for a small patch in my own yard every year (if I catch you in my yard looking for them, you'll be in big trouble).  Most years there are folks who have a nice little side business of selling them to those of us that don't have a good patch of timber to hunt them ourselves.  Paul and I were in Independence today visiting my folks and we bought a bunch from one of these seasonal entrepreneurs.  I made them for our supper tonight just the way my Mom always did and man, were they good.  The best part is, that we still have a bunch left.  

Next week, I think I'm going mushroom hunting with some friends, one who knows of a good spot.  They taste even better when you find the elusive little things yourself.  If we find enough, you're all invited.  Just kidding!