"morels" news and stories

• The Dairy State is legalizing the sale of raw milk, sending a strong signal to the rest of the country.
  
• Fiestaware is more than a set of dishes. It's a subculture -- complete with its own play.
• Spring has hit early in Wisconsin -- which means rhubarb and morels are ahead of schedule, too.
• When wine meets gadgetry, a love affair is born.

Spring brings a multitude of edible delights, and paramount among them are morel mushrooms.

Like ramps and asparagus, morels are synonymous with spring, and an edible reminder of the season's brevity. It feels less like morels have a season than a quick, annual engagement: catching them at the farmers market is like catching a solar eclipse, or Tom Jones at the MGM Grand in Vegas.

Morels are wild mushrooms that grow in forested areas throughout many parts of the country, and generally begin appearing sometime in April. They're usually available until the early summer, but their season can vary by a week or two depending on the region and the amount of rainfall. They're slender, knobby things with intricately ridged and wrinkled skin, and look like they sprouted from the pages of the Brothers Grimm. Their homely appearance belies their heavenly flavor, which is expressed to spectacular effect in the company of dairy, fat and and asparagus. Scrambled eggs are thus an ideal way to enjoy morels -- think of it as less an egg dish than a vehicle for delivering the best of the season to your very happy stomach.

Read the recipe for scrambled eggs with morels, asparagus and spring onions after the jump.

• A look at the "veritable chameleon" that is the brownie, plus a tasty recipe for coffee-flavored bars.
• To those who cling to their Hellman's: An ode to the ease and wonder of homemade mayonnaise.
• A doctor explains why fish is great for diabetes and all around good health.
• Columnist Kate Lawson shares recipes for May morels in Michigan, and provides some tips for amping up your dip with chive-infused oil.
• Do you know how many calories are hiding in your favorite treats?
• A cookie the kids can eat for breakfast? Grab 'n' Go Breakfast Cookies answers that question with a big "yes."
  
• A mustard taste test that dips into six tasty options from Laurent du Clos All Natural Whole Grain to Honeycup Stone Ground.
• Questions and answers: Sandwiches to perk up a picnic and the difference between fresh and frozen veggies.

Got a magnificent mushroom recipe? You could win two pounds of morel mushrooms from Marx Foods!

According to the contest description, Marx Foods is open to "the most simple ideas to complicated epicurean creations." However, they do point out that "sometimes with fresh seasonal items, they should be the star of a dish and not overshadowed with other flavors." My guess is that they will pick something simple that really features the mushrooms, but they could surprise me.

The recipes will be judged on deliciousness (you better hope that the judge has the same taste buds as you) and originality.

The contest deadline is Thursday, May 15th. As the time of this writing, 35 people have entered.

Get all the contest details and submit your entry at Marx Foods.

[via Stltoday via Alanna]