Taste the Wild: Morel Mushroom Cheese Spread Recipe

Recipe

Morel Mushroom Cheese Spread Recipe

Makes 8-12 servings

Enjoy this absolute flavour bomb of a recipe with the Morel Mushroom Cheese Spread from Eat Alberta First, a tantalizing blend of earthy morels and creamy cheese that captures the essence of spring. This appetizer is a celebration of seasonal flavours, offering a taste of the wild in every bite. Perfect for gatherings or intimate moments, its your new favourite to take to parties and potlucks.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup (approximately 20 grams) dried morel or mixed wild mushrooms
½ cup hot tap water
2 Tablespoons butter or olive oil
½ cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
8-ounce (250-gram) package cream cheese, goat cheese, or spreadable vegan substitute
¼ teaspoon salt
Pinch pepper
Edible flowers and fresh herbs, for garnish (optional)

RECIPE

  1. Put the mushrooms in a small bowl and cover with the hot water. Let sit until soft, about 30 minutes, then squeeze them gently over the bowl to remove the water. Reserve the water. Finely chop the mushrooms and set them aside.
  2. Heat the butter (or oil) in a frying pan over medium heat, add the onion, and cook until golden, about 5 to 10 minutes, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  3. Stir in the chopped, rehydrated mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until dry.
  4. Stir in the reserved mushroom liquid, reduce the heat to mediumlow, and cook down, stirring occasionally, until dry again. This is the key step. The slower you let this happen, the more mushroom flavour you will get.
  5. Remove from the stove once all the liquid is absorbed, and let the mixture cool.
  6. Soften the cream cheese with a wooden spoon, add the mushroom mixture, salt, and pepper, and blend well. Use a spatula to transfer it to a plastic wrap–lined bowl, press it evenly, cover with more wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours.
  7. Invert the cheese spread onto a serving platter and sprinkle with fresh herbs and edible flowers, if desired.
  8. Enjoy it with bread, crackers, or chips; on a potato, burger, pork chop, or steak—or just eat it with a spoon.

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Recipe by Karen Anderson from Eat Alberta First, copyright © 2023 by Karen Anderson.