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From: jeff@rtech.ARPA (Jeff Lichtman)
Newsgroups: net.cooks
Subject: Morels
Message-ID: <358@rtech.ARPA>
Date: Wed, 8-May-85 03:05:23 EDT
Article-I.D.: rtech.358
Posted: Wed May  8 03:05:23 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 12-May-85 02:14:22 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: Relational Technology, Berkeley CA
Lines: 33


	The Monterey Market, a produce store in Berkeley, sometimes carries
morels, a type of fancy mushroom.  I had heard wonderful things about them,
but the price had always kept me from trying them.  They cost over $10 per lb.!
	A few days ago I decided that I should try them, just for the
experience.  I got a small amount (just a couple of ounces), and brought them
home.
	Morels don't look like other mushrooms.  They are fluted on the
*outside*, and the have pits or holes along their length.  They have hollow
stems.  Their odor is strong and musty.  I noticed when slicing them that they
are a little leathery.
	I didn't want to mask their flavor, so I simply sauteed them in butter.
They didn't shrivel as much as most mushrooms do (which is fortunate,
considering the price.)  I shouldn't have worried about masking the flavor;
they turned out to be very rich, almost like meat.  The flavor was stronger
that any other fungus I have tasted.  The texture was firm without being chewy.
	Comparing morels to regular grocery-store-variety mushrooms is like
comparing the best cheddar to Kraft American Singles.  The difference is that
great.  If you can find morels, and are willing to pay the price, I strongly
recommend them.  They are worth it, even if you get only enough to taste.
	One warning, though.  I have read that some people are strongly
allergic to morels.  One book I have on fungus suggests eating a small amount
as a test the first time you try them.  Given the price, it's not hard to
stick to that guideline.

P.S.  The Monterey Market is so called because it is at the intersection of
Monterey and Hopkins streets.
-- 
Jeff Lichtman at rtech (Relational Technology, Inc.)
aka Swazoo Koolak

{amdahl, sun}!rtech!jeff
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