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Morels are a separate family of mushrooms with an unusual appearance. Some varieties are used to prepare signature dishes and are served in gourmet restaurants with lean meats or fish. They are collected from April to July. At the same time, mushroom pickers recommend hurrying up with the collection, since the lifespan of this species is only 5 - 7 days. Recipes for fried morels call for pre-boiling them.
Is it possible to fry morels?
Steppe representatives of the morel family are called “kings of spring mushrooms.” They appear first in flat steppe areas or forest edges. As a rule, they grow one at a time or in small colonies, forming “witch circles.” Most often, the crop prefers wormwood steppes.
After harvesting, many mushroom pickers make the mistake of believing that they can make roasted mushrooms, which are customary for eating porcini mushrooms or honey mushrooms, from morels.The principles of preparation are slightly different; they are prepared using different technologies, including preliminary boiling.
Misconceptions about frying methods also become possible because morels taste like traditional porcini mushrooms. The second name of the steppe morel is “white steppe mushroom.”
It is known that drying destroys the toxins contained in the fruit body, which is why they are recommended to be used only after 3 months of drying. When boiled, toxins enter the water, leaving the fruit body completely.
Before frying, it is recommended to boil morels to completely prevent toxic substances from entering the body. Boiling before cooking is a kind of safety mechanism.
Fried morels are prepared in a variety of ways and are especially delicious when paired with classic sauces and are a great addition to vegetables and meats. When finished, the product has a special taste and aroma. Fried morels are combined with white semi-dry or dry wine. Culinary experts advise choosing wines without pronounced fruit notes in order to fully experience all the shades of mushroom flavor.
How to prepare morel mushrooms for frying
Before cooking, wash the mushrooms. The peculiarity of their structure is a hollow cap, which is covered with small blades, usually clogged with sand, particles of debris, and the remains of leaves of neighboring plants. After collecting and drying, the cap is blown twice to free it from debris. The first blowing is carried out after the cut. Blow a second time before soaking.
The next stage of pre-treatment is soaking.The specimens are immersed in cold water and left for 1 - 2 hours. This procedure helps remove residual dirt that could not be removed by blowing.
Do you need to boil morels before frying?
To proceed to the actual preparation of fried mushrooms, they are first boiled. This is necessary to destroy harmful toxic substances that can enter the body without additional processing.
How long to cook morels before frying
To prepare fried morels, boil them after soaking. To cook, they are cut into pieces or torn by hand like lettuce leaves, then poured with clean water, taking into account that all parts of the mushroom mass should be covered with liquid by 2 cm.
The broth is brought to a boil and left for about 5 minutes. in a boiling state, then reduce the heat to low and cook for another 15 minutes.
How to fry morel mushrooms
After boiling, the pieces are cooled. It is best to use a colander with large holes. It will allow excess water to drain and prevent the future fried dish from being watery. The structure of the cap allows water to accumulate and remain between its parts, so for complete drying it is recommended to place the pieces on a clean towel after the liquid has drained in a colander. After complete drying, begin preparing the fried morels.
How to fry morels with potatoes
To prepare delicious fried potatoes with morels, you must follow the order in which the ingredients are added, as well as the approximate proportions of the products. Ingredients:
- morels - 400 - 500 g;
- peeled potatoes, medium size – 3 pcs.;
- onion – 2 heads;
- vegetable oil, spices, herbs.
Heat a frying pan with oil, then fry the onion, cut into rings or half rings, until golden brown. Then add the prepared mushrooms. They are overcooked for 5 - 6 minutes. Then add diced raw potatoes. Cover with a lid and leave on the fire until cooked. Add spices and herbs to taste.
One of the options for the dish is adding and frying boiled potatoes. The choice depends on individual preferences.
How to fry morels in sour cream
Morels in sour cream in a frying pan according to the classic recipe are not so much fried as stewed. To prepare 1 kg of product, take 200 g of sour cream, choosing the fat content of sour cream to taste. Mushrooms are fried in oil with or without onions, then the heat is reduced to low, the dish is poured with sour cream and left to simmer until completely soft. If the mass becomes too thick, add 100 ml of water.
The finished mixture in sour cream is generously sprinkled with herbs. Serve as an independent main course or as a side dish for lean meat.
How to fry morels with eggs
The recipe for fried mushrooms with eggs is called baked mushroom omelet. For 300 - 400 g take 5 chicken eggs or 10 quail eggs. Morels are fried in a frying pan; this process takes about 5 minutes, since it is not necessary to achieve complete readiness. For quick frying, it is recommended to use butter; it will give the dish a special creamy taste.
Beat eggs with salt, pepper, herbs, sour cream until a homogeneous consistency is indicated.Pour this mixture over the fried mixture and place in the oven to bake for 5 - 7 minutes.
A variant of the recipe for fried pieces with eggs is cooking in cocotte makers. The fried mushroom mixture is laid out in small heat-resistant molds, 1 egg is broken into each and baked.
How to fry morel mushrooms with onions
This recipe requires only two ingredients: onions and mushrooms. First, fry the onion until golden brown, then add boiled mushrooms and overcook. Fried mushroom mass is good hot or cold. It is used for filling pies or making sandwiches.
How to deliciously fry morels with vegetables
Fried mushrooms are combined with different types of vegetables. This dish can be a complete side dish for meat baked over coals or in the oven. Cauliflower is broken into florets and boiled. Carrots are cut into slices. Mushrooms are fried with onions according to the classic recipe, carrots and cauliflower are added. At the last stage, the mass is sprinkled with chopped herbs. Salt and pepper are added to taste.
You can prepare your own dish with the addition of eggplants:
- 1 kg morels;
- 4 eggplants;
- 1 onion;
- 1 carrot;
- 1 tomato;
- 100 g sour cream.
Eggplants are soaked separately. The mushrooms are boiled. Onions, carrots, and mushrooms are fried in a frying pan. The fried mass is cooled. Cut the eggplants into 2 parts and remove the middle with a spoon. Each half is filled with the fried mixture. Place tomato slices on top and bake.
How to properly fry morels with chicken
A delicious recipe for fried morels with chicken involves using dried mushrooms.
Electric dryers or ovens are used for drying. The duration of drying depends on the size of the fruiting body and the total quantity.Dried specimens are eaten only 3 months after preparation. During this time, the product is placed in a dark, dry place, where it must lie for the prescribed time before use. They are stored away from possible contact with moisture to prevent mold from the inside.
The peculiarity of dried specimens is that after soaking in cold water for several hours, they gradually restore their original shape.
Dried mushrooms are especially flavorful and are a choice for cooking fried chicken using braising techniques. Ingredients:
- chicken – 1 pc.;
- dried morels – 150 g;
- butter – 70 – 80 g;
- salt, pepper, herbs, sour cream - to taste;
- white wine – 200 ml.
The dried pieces are soaked overnight, then dried on a towel. The chicken is cut into pieces and fried in butter until crisp. Cut the mushrooms into small pieces, add to the fillet, and fry for another 5 minutes. Place chicken and fried morels at the bottom of the mold, pour in white wine, spread sour cream on top, and leave on the bottom baking sheet under the grill for baking at 200°C.
Calorie content of fried morels
When fried in a minimum amount of vegetable oil, morels become more nutritious than raw ones. The calorie content of 100 g of the finished product is about 58 kcal.
Conclusion
Recipes for fried morels are distinguished by a special cooking technique. Boiling is called a mandatory preparatory stage. It helps to completely get rid of the toxic substances that the fruiting body of the fungus contains.
