Chef’s Blog

We’re just at the end of morel season here in Michigan, and many of Michigan’s trendiest restaurants have morel mushrooms on their seasonal menus this time of year. But what exactly are morel mushrooms, and how can you incorporate them into your home cooking?

Morel mushrooms are a highly sought-after type of wild mushroom, considered by many to be a delicacy. They have a short shelf life and can be very difficult to transport due to their almost hollow structure. They are also very seasonal, with a growing season ranging from March to mid-June each year. Michigan is one of the hot spots for morel mushroom growth, so keep your eyes peeled at your local farmers market—or you could even go out in the woods to hunt for them yourself.

Finding Morel Mushrooms

Morel mushrooms are among the easiest for beginners to identify in the wild due to their unique, rounded cone shape and lattice structure. They often grow near water and are frequently found after a wildfire or controlled burn in the area. The Michigan DNR provides an online map to help morel hunters decide where to look.

If you want to go looking yourself, always remember to be aware of your surroundings, do not trespass, and never eat a mushroom you find until you can verify that it is a morel. Remember, false morels do exist and can be poisonous—always consult a professional before eating any wild mushrooms.

Preparing Morels

Once you have morel mushrooms, there are plenty of ways to prepare them. One of the most classic is to pan-fry them in butter and serve them over a protein like steak, chicken breast, or fish. Morels can also be used to make a beautiful bowl of pasta, a morel bisque, risotto, or even creamy morel mushroom grits. They can also make a great appetizer—think stuffed mushrooms or battered and deep-fried. Morels can elevate almost any dish that calls for mushrooms, giving it an upscale and fun seasonal twist.

Here are a few of our favorite recipes to get you started:

Sautéd Morel Mushrooms

Morel Mushroom Toasts

Poached Wild Salmon with Peas and Morels 

Morel Risotto

Morel mushrooms are just one ingredient in the arsenal of the team at Chowhound Gourmet Catering. Our team always uses fresh, seasonal ingredients to make your event a unique celebration of the time and place, while adjusting for personal taste and dietary restrictions. If you’re interested in how the Chowhound Gourmet team can bring their talents to your next event, request a quote to start your culinary journey.

Hi, Chef John Breeland here and welcome to our first blog post!

We’ll be sharing information about food, seasonal ingredients, special deals, and some of our favorite recipes. But first, I want to tell you a little about myself.

I started my culinary career at The Whitney, one of Detroit’s most iconic restaurants. From there, I went on to join the award-winning culinary team at the Golden Mushroom in Southfield, MI, and eventually worked as the opening chef at the Sardine Room in Plymouth, MI. My enthusiasm and determination to hone my skills as a chef solidified my passion to turn food into a true art form. After working in some of Detroit’s finest restaurants, I struck out on my own and founded Chowhound Gourmet Catering in 2014 with the mission to create beautiful and delicious food for every occasion.