Crispy Morel Mushroom Bacon Sauce on Toast
This crispy morel mushroom bacon sauce on toast recipe is easy to make, comes together in under 20 minutes, and is the perfect way to enjoy your forest to table feast!
Why This Recipe Works:
- The salty, savory flavor of bacon pairs beautifully with the earthy taste of morel mushrooms, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.
- Cooking the morel mushrooms in the rendered bacon grease infuses them with rich, smoky notes, enhancing their natural taste.
- Heavy whipping cream adds luxurious creaminess to the sauce, while parmesan cheese lends a nutty, salty kick.
- Serving the sauce over toasted whole grain bread provides a satisfying crunch and hearty base for the dish.
In this post you'll learn how to identify morel mushrooms, process and store morels, and learn helpful tips and troubleshooting for this recipe. Use the jump-to button below to go right to the parts you need!
Jump to:
- Why This Recipe Works:
- Intro to Morel Mushrooms
- How to Store Morel Mushrooms
- How to Freeze Morel Mushrooms
- How to Process Morel Mushrooms
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Helpful Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Troubleshooting
- That's a Wrap!
- Recipe
- How to clean a morel mushroom
- Love this recipe? You might also like...
- Most recent posts
- Comments
Intro to Morel Mushrooms
When the late spring rains begin in central Kansas, the foragers take to the woods in search of morels. Once upon a time when Aaron and I were newly dating, he took me on a mushroom hunt that felt more like a wild goose chase.
I had envisioned a romantic walk through the pines, but found myself unprepared for the ticks, damp leaves and high-stepping over fallen trees.
Morels pop up nearly overnight and vanish in a blink and vary in size and color. Some are gray or brown, others are nearly white. They grow like nature's little sponge, with a honeycomb texture that catches your eye... or at least if you happen to have an eye for them!
Identifying morels at a glance:
- Distinct pitted caps with an irregular honey-combed or spongelike appearance
- Yellow morels have pale ridges with darker pits and black morels have dark ridges with paler pits
- Caps can be conical, egg-shaped, elongated with a rounded top or nearly spherical
- Vary in size and color
If you are ever unsure, my advice is not to eat it! Morels are very distinct, but in the world of mushrooms, it's always better to be safe than sorry. The picture below was taken in 2019 when we took the kids foraging for morels.
How to Store Morel Mushrooms
- Place them in a paper bag or a breathable container.
- Store them in the refrigerator.
- Use them within a few days for the best flavor.
- Avoid sealing them in plastic, as it can cause them to spoil faster.
- Alternatively, you can dry morels for longer storage by stringing them up or using a food dehydrator.
How to Freeze Morel Mushrooms
- Clean the morels thoroughly.
- Slice them if desired, or leave them whole.
- Lay them out on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Flash freeze them for about an hour.
- Transfer the frozen morels to a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Remove excess air, seal tightly, and label with the date.
- Store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Thaw them in the refrigerator before using.
How to Process Morel Mushrooms
Our morels were relatively clean this time, basically free from sand and tiny bugs. Yay!
The best way to store morels is cleaned and dried, wrapped in a tea towel in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. Any sneaky water droplets will cause the morels to rot.
- Soak morel mushrooms briefly in cold water.
- Gently swish them around to loosen any dirt or bugs.
- Pat them dry with paper towels or a clean cloth.
- They're now clean and ready to be cooked to perfection!
Ingredients
- 4 slices center-cut bacon
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- 4-6 morel mushrooms, chopped
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 4 slices whole grain toast
Instructions
Prepare the Bacon and Morels
- Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Chop the morels into bite-sized pieces.
- Cut the bacon into one-inch pieces and fry in a large skillet over medium heat until golden brown and crispy.
- Without draining the pan, remove the bacon and set it aside.
- Saute the chopped morels in the hot bacon grease for a few minutes until they are lightly browned.
Make the Cream Sauce
- Add the cooked bacon back into the skillet with the mushrooms.
- Pour in the heavy whipping cream and sprinkle in garlic powder to taste.
- Stir gently until the cream is thickened and reduced, about 5-10 minutes.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Stir in grated parmesan cheese until melted and combined.
Serve it up!
- Toast the whole grain bread slices until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve the creamy morel mushroom bacon sauce over the toasted bread slices.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and freshly ground black pepper, if desired.
Helpful Tips
- To ensure your morel mushrooms are free from dirt and debris, give them a quick rinse under cold water and pat them dry with a damp paper towel.
- For a crispy coating on the fried morels, dredge them in a mixture of seasoned flour and cracker crumbs before frying.
- Use a large skillet or frying pan with plenty of hot oil to fry the morel mushrooms until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Drain the fried morels on a paper towel-lined plate to remove any excess oil before serving.
- Serve the crispy fried morel mushrooms as a delicious appetizer or side dish alongside garlic aioli for dipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of mushrooms for this recipe?While morel mushrooms are the star of this dish, you can experiment with other varieties of wild mushrooms or even fresh mushrooms from the grocery store.
How do I know if the morels I find are safe to eat?Always consult a mushroom hunter or expert to ensure you are harvesting safe and edible mushrooms. Avoid false morels and be sure to thoroughly clean and cook wild mushrooms before consuming them.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?Yes, you can omit the bacon and sauté the morel mushrooms in olive oil or butter for a vegetarian version of the dish.
Can I use a different type of mushroom?While morel mushrooms are the star of this recipe, you can substitute other varieties of mushrooms such as cremini, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms if desired.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?While the sauce is best served fresh, you can prepare the components ahead of time and assemble the dish just before serving. Store the cooked bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and sauce separately in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
Troubleshooting
- If the cream sauce is too thin, continue simmering it until it reaches the desired consistency. Alternatively, you can thicken the sauce by whisking in a small amount of flour or cornstarch slurry.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out by stirring in a splash of chicken or vegetable broth until you reach the desired consistency.
That's a Wrap!
With its crispy exterior, tender interior, and irresistible flavor, this recipe for crispy fried morel mushrooms is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Whether you're a seasoned mushroom hunter or simply a fan of delicious food, you'll love the unique taste and texture of these golden brown treasures. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the skillet, and get ready to savor every bite of this delectable dish. Happy frying!
Recipe
Creamy Bacon & Morel Toast
Equipment
- cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 4 slices center cut bacon
- ¾ C heavy whipping cream
- 4-6 morel mushrooms, chopped
- ¼ C grated parmesan cheese
- 4 slices whole grain toast we love sourdough
Instructions
- Cut the bacon in to one inch pieces and fry in the cast iron skillet over medium heat to desired crispiness. Without draining the pan, remove the bacon and set aside. Sautee the chopped morels in the bacon grease for a few minutes until lightly browned.
- Add the bacon back into the skillet with the mushrooms. Add the heavy whipping cream and parmesan cheese. Stir gently until the cream is thickened and reduced, about five or ten minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with green onions and fresh ground pepper, if desired.
- Serve over toast.
Notes
How to clean a morel mushroom
Before you start, I want to share a few things I have learned about cooking with fresh mushrooms. Make sure the mushroom is clean. Morels tend to harbor tiny insects and sand, so a soak in cool water will help to release any hidden stowaways. I also recommend removing any stems or pieces that are soft textured, bruised or brown. If you aren't able to cook the morels immediately, let them dry thoroughly after soaking and store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. They DO tend to break down quickly, so we try to get them cooked quickly at our house.Nutrition
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If you love this creamy morel toast, try making a big loaf of sourdough sandwich bread in a pullman pan and pouring the savory gravy over it. Yum! If you want to go with a traditional sourdough loaf, I have the perfect sourdough boulle recipe to try!
Morel mushrooms also can be freeze dried or dehydrated! See these posts to learn more about preserving food: how to use a food dehydrator, how to use a freeze dryer.
Check out this IG reel to see a quick tutorial on washing and processing morel mushrooms.
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