It's morel mushroom hunting season! The best way to prepare morels after cleaning them is coating the mushrooms in flour and then frying them in vegetable shortening. That's it! Yum!
1 lb. fresh morel mushrooms
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. vegetable shortening
salt, to taste
Gently brush off any dirt from mushrooms; cut off ends; cut mushrooms in halves lengthwise.
Place mushrooms in a large bowl; cover with cold, lightly salted water; refrigerate mushrooms for about 5 minutes to loosen any dirt; pour off salted water; rinse; repeat two more times. The crevices of the mushrooms may hold tiny stones, dirt or insects, so thoroughly rinse mushrooms a final time; allow to drain on paper towels.
Place flour in a shallow bowl.
Heat vegetable shortening in a large skillet until very hot.
Roll mushrooms in flour; tap off excess; gently lay mushrooms in the hot shortening. Fry until golden brown and flour coating is crisp, 5 - 8 minutes, turning often. Drain morels on paper towels. Salt to taste.
Serve hot.
4 servings.