mushrooms

For mushroom lovers, it'd be sacrilege not to seize the moment during the short window of time that morels are in season; they have a uniquely nutty, earthy quality that simply can't be resisted. Unfortunately, the cost of morel magnificence certainly doesn't come cheap: more often than not, these babies go for upwards of $40 per pound!

Yet I've discovered ways to work in little bits of this luxury item into my everyday meals. This pasta, which is coated in a pesto of morels, shallots, and pine nuts, is the perfect way to stretch a small amount of the delicacy while getting a good amount of their flavor, and the tab is a manageable $5 to $10 a person. Want to savor morel mushrooms on a budget, too? Here's one way to do it.

Spring produce may bring to mind images of asparagus and artichokes, but there are plenty of lesser known vernal veggies that are just as amazing as their popular counterparts. Take morel mushrooms. Come Spring, these fungi appear at the edges of forested areas, marked by conical caps and beautifully shirred crevices. A nutty aroma and meaty texture mean they're likely the most prized mushrooms in the Western world, overshadowed only by truffles. But beware: these fragile fruits, which grow in the wild, are difficult to find, expensive to obtain, and highly perishable. How to work around these challenges, when you read more.

Here's a light and delicious vegan dinner option courtesy of reader girlA: angel hair pasta with mushrooms and homemade ricotta.

This is so light and flavorful that The Husband is already looking forward to the leftovers. The original recipe is from the latest issue of Sunset Magazine, but I made lots of changes. So really, I guess that means I was inspired by the recipe . . .

Keep reading to look at her recipe.

If you're an avid hostess like me, a good stuffed mushroom appetizer recipe is a must. Stuffed mushrooms are a classic and crowd-pleasing hors d'oeuvre that can easily be made in advance. While some recipes incorporate pork products like sausage, mushrooms are meaty enough on their own, so I prefer to make them vegetarian-friendly. My stuffing is a festive red and green mixture of wilted spinach, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and lots of garlic. Parmesan cheese provides a scrumptious saltiness, while breadcrumbs add a slight but necessary crunch. Since mushrooms release a lot of liquid when cooking, it's important to partially bake them before stuffing; this will ensure that nothing gets too soggy. Ready to learn the method for stuffed mushrooms? Keep reading.

When serving a large crowd on a special occasion, I recommend making at least one casserole-style dish that can be prepped in advance and baked while the party gets going. Lasagna and macaroni and cheese are great ideas, but if you want something a little more unexpected, make the Barefoot Contessa's Conchiglie al Forno, or baked pasta shells with mushrooms and radicchio. It's a rich, hearty, and wintry dish that's flavored with cream, four types of cheese, and fresh sage. If you don't normally use radicchio as an ingredient, this recipe is perfect for a first-time experimentation. The salty cheese and woodsy sage offset the bitterness of the purple chicory. Ready for the excellent recipe? Keep reading.

Now that the temps are dropping, having the oven heat up the kitchen is a welcomed side effect of preparing dinner. Who doesn't like a cozy, aromatic kitchen during the holidays? Well, you're in luck! This Asian-inspired seafood dish is not only healthy — complete with two of my favorite types of veggies: asparagus and mushrooms — it's also a cinch to make. Just pop the white, flaky cod and accouterments in the broiler and in 20 minutes, start to finish, you've got a melt-in-your-mouth glazed cod dinner and a warm kitchen: done and done!

Here's the recipe.

When planning a festive holiday meal like Thanksgiving, it's fun to think about the colors that will grace the table. The deep greens of vegetables, the vibrant red of cranberry sauce, the rich orange of sweet potatoes. And thanks to a side dish like this wild rice with mushrooms, earthy browns and buttery creams will also be a part of the food rainbow.
Wild rice takes time to prepare, so consider making this dressing in advance. It's a delicious and easily adaptable recipe, stir in whatever vegetables you have on hand. Cubes of butternut squash or wilted spinach would be welcome additions. Another great thing about this recipe is it's pretty healthful: it's both high in fiber and low in fat. Get the technique here.

Earlier this week, I shared menu suggestions for a vegetarian Thanksgiving. Now, I've got one more idea for you: this wildly delicious mushroom and leek tart! It's a beautiful dish that's absolutely scrumptious. The crust is a quick homemade salt and pepper dough, while the filling is a savory mixture of sautéed mushrooms, leeks, thyme, and gruyère cheese. The ingredient list calls for chanterelles, but they were quite expensive at my local market, so I opted for regular button mushrooms. I served this tart to mushroom haters, and they loved it! To make it for Thanksgiving or any other Fall celebration, get the recipe here.