Creamy Morel Pasta

Feeds 4 people
Prep time 15m
Cook time 30m

Description

The meatiness of morels is a revelation to this morel novice. Having never tried these particular fungi before, we weren't expecting such full-flavoured, substantial and juicy flesh. Brought to life by the classic pairing of chicken stock, cream and booze, the mushrooms tasted fantastic – so rich and meaty in texture. This is such a simple recipe and a great way to introduce newbies to morels. So, what are you waiting for? Give it a go while they’re still in season.

Ingredients

400g Morels
1 Shallot
50g Butter
500ml Chicken stock
200g Double cream
50g Cognac
600g Spaghetti
Small bunch Flat leaf parsley

Method

Begin by washing the morels. This is very important as the little crevices and hollow centres hide grit and dirt. Fill a large bowl with cold water and gently submerge the mushrooms. Swirl them round to dislodge any stubborn dirt and then remove and dry them in a clean tea towel or salad spinner.
Chop the morels lengthways into halves or quarters, depending on their size. Finely dice the shallot. Put a large frying pan on a medium heat and add half the butter. When it starts to bubble add the shallots and sauté until soft and sweet, don’t allow them to brown. Remove from the pan and put to one side.
Put the rest of the butter into the pan along with the morels. Gently soften the mushrooms over a medium-high heat. Keep them moving around the pan and allow to soften for about five minutes. Add the chicken stock to the pan and reduce by about a third before adding the cream and a splash of cognac. Turn the heat down to a gentle simmer, add the shallots back to the pan and continue to reduce for about ten minutes.
Meanwhile, put a pan of salted water on to boil. Cook the spaghetti according to pack instructions. When ready, mix the spaghetti with the sauce and stir the parsley through then serve immediately.

Creamy Morel Pasta

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