Karli Ritter’s favorite morel mushroom recipes

KC Strips with morel-marsala sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh morels, or rehydrated dried morels
• ½ cup beef stock
• 2 eight ounce KC Strip steaks
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter, divided
• 3/4 cup green onions, sliced thin
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped
• ¼ cup Marsala

Directions:

• If using dried morels, Add enough hot water to cover in a small bowl; let soak until soft, about 20 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup soaking liquid. Cut morels in half if large.
• Next, season Strip steaks with Kosher or se salt and coarse pepper. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add steaks and cook to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer steaks to plates.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to skillet; add morels and green onions and sauté until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add cream, 1 tablespoon tarragon, Marsala, and reserved 1/2 cup morel soaking liquid or beef broth; simmer and thicken with roux or cornstarch to light sauce consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Serve sauce with steaks, sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon tarragon, and serve.

Gnocchi with morels and asparagus

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch asparagus, bases trimmed off
• Kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more
• ¼ pound fresh morel mushrooms, cut in half lengthwise
• 1 small shallot, finely chopped
• 1 cup shelled fresh peas (from about 1 lb. pods) or frozen peas, thawed
• ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Chopped fresh chives,
• finely grated Parmesan
• 1 lb Gnocchi Pasta

Directions:

• Slice asparagus on the diagonal into bite-size pieces, leaving tips intact.
• In a pot of boiling water seasoned with a bit of salt, Cook Gnocchi until doubled in size, about 3-5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer gnocchi to a lightly oiled baking sheet. Reserve ¼ cup cooking liquid.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook morels, tossing occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add shallot and cook, tossing occasionally, until shallot and morels are soft, about 2 minutes; set aside.
• Add gnocchi, asparagus, peas, butter, and reserved cooking liquid to skillet with morels. Cook, tossing gently, until vegetables are warm and sauce has thickened slightly, about 2 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with chives, Parmesan, and lemon zest (optional).