Went out Morel hunting today and here was the result:
(http://life-captured.net/Fishing/morels.jpg)
Think it's pretty much the last of them around here.
Ok big you know im a west texas boy so tell me exactly what the heck those are and what you are gona do with em. They look like a type of mushroom to me?
I'm with TT looks like shrooms.. ::)....reminds me of highschool....dang that was ALONG time ago! But I've been thinking about doing some portabellas with a quick smoke, and go from there..What ya think big? I think the only mushrooms around this parts will kill ya..shoot they grow in horse poop..I'll pass! ;D
C
Westtex they grow one other place around here...in cow poop as well ;)
Those are morel shrooms and they are a delicacy. They are great tasting shrooms and are in high demand during the season. Not sure what they'd go for in a store but I think around $20-25/lb around here. I like em fried up in butter and/or worcestershire sauce. MMMMMMMM GOOD! You ain't planning a trip to Indiana any time soon are you, Terry? 8)
Duck is right, and you really don't ever see them in stores around here. I have seen some sell them out of there homes and they go for around $50 a pound. I found about 3 pounds. They are great cooked several ways, garlic and butter is great or you can bread them and fry them as well. the garlic and butter is great to have over a steak (an Omaha steak that is ;D). Morels are only out in the early spring. April is usually the best time on those first warm days after a rainy period. You walk through the forest areas usually in river bottoms. They like the sandy soil. You can find them in the trees in the hils as well. These were from the river bottoms. They are great fun to hunt. It's like finding little treasures in the forest. Often times when you find one there will be a bunch more in the same area. I had one erea yesterday where I found one and then probably a dozen more within 20 yds. THere you go, everything you ever wanted to knowabout Morel mushrooms and probably more! ;D
Terry
ps; Sorry Duck, they will be all gone by this afternoon. :D :D If they froze well I would have sent you some.
I am soooo jealous Smoking Duck. Those are so good and so expensive I only get some once a year. Sauted in butter and put over a good filet Mignon and your talking heaven in my book. They grow up here too if the seasons weather is just right but not around my house. Enjoy!!! :)
Don't be jealous of me Ice. Unfortunately, I am in the same boat as you are on the morels. I'm kinda like Sparky on this one and can only drink in the pictures from a distance :(
Quote from: Smoking Duck on May 14, 2008, 09:03:06 AM
Don't be jealous of me Ice. Unfortunately, I am in the same boat as you are on the morels. I'm kinda like Sparky on this one and can only drink in the pictures from a distance :(
Bummer. I thought your area would have them all over.
They do, Ice. However, with money being tight right now, can't hardly justify using the gas on a trip for mushrooms. At least that's what the boss tells me (and she tells me I need to say it with a smile :D). It did hit 3.99 a gallon here yesterday. There's always next year. By the way, do you think you or Kummok could hook me up with a crab boat? I'm thinking a couple of months on the Bering Sea would do my checking account some good!
Thats a good thing to know cuz i'd prob just stepped on them if I had ever ran across em....but then again it tooo dry to grow and shorrms around here.
QuoteWent out Morel hunting today
Someone told me they can be dried and stored for some time very well? Is that right bigredsmoker?
Quote from: Smoking Duck on May 14, 2008, 10:52:58 AM
They do, Ice. However, with money being tight right now, can't hardly justify using the gas on a trip for mushrooms. At least that's what the boss tells me (and she tells me I need to say it with a smile :D). It did hit 3.99 a gallon here yesterday. There's always next year. By the way, do you think you or Kummok could hook me up with a crab boat? I'm thinking a couple of months on the Bering Sea would do my checking account some good!
Hillstrands (Time Bandit) go waaaaay back here but ya gotta live through that "couple of months on the Bering" in order to spend the $$ Duckman! Think I'd rather risk sliding down a mile long razor into a bucket of alcohol.....something about me & nausea that just don't get along when seas get about 15-20'+ ! ;) :o I prefer watching Johnny & Andy on HDTV and Neil blowing grass seed on my front yard!
Kum Deadliest Catch is one of my favorite shows. Thats pretty cool that you actually know some of them.
QuoteDeadliest Catch is one of my favorite shows
New (?3rd) season Deadliest Catch has just started here in the UK, my two boys are fascinated by it with the Time Bandit and the Northwestern being their favourite boats.
Even bought them a couple of Northwestern caps! :)
You can come on up and introduce yourselves to them, but don't expect them to be much like celebs at all. The producers make a show that is dramatic and interesting...I love watching it myself....and the Hillstrands at least don't seem to be affected much by all the notoriety. They have a loooong family history here and their 15 minutes of fame doesn't appear to have changed them. John and Andy, et al, were what you might call "fire-formed" and it would likely take a long stretch of this "fame" to change them. The 'Time Bandit' is likely in the Homer Small Boat Harbor during certain summer months and you'd pass it on your way outta the harbor, tied up with the other fishing boats. From what I hear these days, when they're in town you could most likely find John buying rounds and telling tales at the local gin mill (aka 'The Salty Dog"), Andy hawking shirts/hats/autographs to raise money for local non-profits, (but I think Andy now has a ranch down in Idaho, Montana or somewhere "down there"). From what I know from personal experience, Neil will be working his butt off to earn a good living. Good men all, and NEVER a dull moment! Right now, Scotty (Johnathan's son that "broke the mold" in the recent episode) is my personal "man of strongest character" hero.......
Yea I think it took a bigger man to give up the chance for quick cash to be able to have the chance raise a family.
Quote from: manxman on May 16, 2008, 02:32:18 PM
QuoteWent out Morel hunting today
Someone told me they can be dried and stored for some time very well? Is that right bigredsmoker?
I have heard you can dry them and they will keep. Haven't tried it yet. This is my first time out that I have had good success in many years. I found a friend who has access to some good hunting ground. Next year I am may be able to try the drying thing.
I LOVE that show...we have it set up to record whenever it's on...very kool as someone said Kummok that you know one of the captains. Those guys deserve every nickel they get!! :)
And BigRed...I too am a jealous beast that you can find morels where you live...how kool is that!! :)
I'd still like to give it a try.......I don't get sea sick and I love the water. I also love any type of outdoor activity......maybe I'm getting a little long in the tooth, but I can pretty much stay with the yung 'uns on most things I try. I think I'd really like the challenge it would offer....... Call me crazy, but I think it would be a blast.....course, TV has a way of making a lot of rough stuff look good
Quote from: La Quinta on May 18, 2008, 03:30:48 PM
I LOVE that show...we have it set up to record whenever it's on...very kool as someone said Kummok that you know one of the captains.....
Don't wanna fool anyone into thinking Hillstrands come over for (smoked) dinner on a regular basis or anything like that.....last time Neil was over was two years ago and that was just to do some touch-up hydroseeding on our lawn. If you've lived in Homer very long, you know the Hillstrands AND all the other families that have been here as long or longer than them. My daughters played with Jewel Kilcher. I've been in Tom Bodett's home studio. Likely so have many other Homeroids....these folks are all "simple Homer folks" that are very good at what they do and they got recognized for it through diligence and "the right breaks". I'm not even certain that they actually enjoy the fame that much?!?!? The ironic thing is that I've known better fisherman, better singers and better writers that very few people have or likely ever will hear about. Guess there's only so many hours available for everyone's 15 minutes of fame to be televised. I actually disconnected my satellite signal a year or so and started connecting more with people.....it's amazing the stories that are told on the "Life Channel", (and NO editing!). I've met some true heros in the local longterm care center and I'd bet the folks right here on this forum have some surprising tales as well as the heartwarming events they've already shared over the years.....Well, it's starting to sound like I'm slipping into waxing philosophically; just didn't want anyone thinking that I'm John's best friend (and start asking me if I could get them a crabbing job :o ;) ;D ) Now back to looking down at the airport, through my spotting scope, to watch Ernest Bognine (sp?), Jim Carey, and Steven Segal get themselves and family entourage into their helicopters for the short trip across the bay to Tutka Bay Lodge....(except that Ernest is comfortable hanging around the Gear Shed and local pubs....he loves people!)
Nah Kummok...I don't think anybody thought that you knew these guys...hell...where I live, out near Palm Springs, you can be 4 feet away from a boatload of Hollywood types in any number of resturants...quite frankly...who gives a crap...I'd rather sit next to a guy serving our country on leave and ask HIM for his autograph...just the way we are...:)
Roger That, LQ!
Know what you mean LQ....I just picked up the tab, (anonymously...I love doing that!), for some returnees who'd just ordered a round at the Anchorage airport. No offense though but I used to live near PS and I'd want to shower after sitting near some of the folks that sat down near me in the restaurants there....too many ostrich feathers in that town for this old logger's kid!! ;) :o
Yeah...know what you mean...no offense takin...trust me...We live in a rather unique environment...and I'll just leave it at that!!
Quote from: Kummok on May 20, 2008, 08:57:08 AM
just didn't want anyone thinking that I'm John's best friend (and start asking me if I could get them a crabbing job :o ;) ;D )
Kummok,
They can keep the crabbing job, but if they would like to send some of that left over crab this way, Im all in. :)
[quote author=Gizmo link=topic=7242.msg73249#msg73249 date=1211341647
Kummok,
They can keep the crabbing job, but if they would like to send some of that left over crab this way, Im all in. :)
[/quote]
"Leftover crab"????What's that, Giz?? ;) ;) ;D
Quotehave heard you can dry them and they will keep. Haven't tried it yet. This is my first time out that I have had good success in many years. I found a friend who has access to some good hunting ground. Next year I am may be able to try the drying thing.
By coincidence just bought the book below, it is on special in one of the trift bookshops over here at £4.50 / $9 and they have a section on drying mushrooms, including morels. Looks like they thread them on string to dry them.
Quite a basic book but very useful and interesting nonetheless with a few good recipes and quite a lot on smoking. They always seem to cold smoke their food first prior to hot smoking.
http://www.amazon.com/Preserved-Nick-Sandler/dp/1856266214
looks like a new edition:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Preserved-Hugh-Fearnley-Whittingstall/dp/1856265323
I wonder what the thought on that would be? More smoke absorption on the food?
QuoteI wonder what the thought on that would be? More smoke absorption on the food?
That seems to be what they are saying, need to read the book a bit more to be sure. :)