Description of the morel mushroom, its appearance, features of growth. List of chemical elements that are included in the composition. Healing properties. What are the contraindications for use. Harm from excessive use. Dish recipes.
Useful properties of morels
The inclusion of morels in the diet will normalize metabolic processes. This mushroom will have a positive effect on visual acuity, since it contains B vitamins and polysaccharide compounds. The color of the lens will not become cloudy and the muscles in the eyes will be strengthened.
The benefits of morel and the products in which it consists are explained by the harmonious combination of micro- and macroelements and dietary fiber, which are vital for humans:
- Improving the protective function of the body … Immunity increases and is able to withstand the negative effects of bacterial and viral agents, inflammatory processes, body temperature stabilizes.
- Strengthening the digestive tract … Peristalsis improves, food assimilation is faster, radionuclides, salts of heavy metals and toxins are removed from the body, stool and intestinal microflora are normalized.
- Cleansing blood and lymph … Thanks to the components contained in morels, the walls of blood vessels are strengthened, cholesterol plaques are knocked out, microcirculation of blood is stabilized and the process of wound healing is accelerated, the development of anemia, hemoglobinopathy, hemophilia and hemorrhagic vasculitis is prevented.
- The body is toned … Memory, mood and well-being improve, working capacity increases, more energy and strength appear, there is a positive effect on the neurons of the central nervous system.
- Prevents the development of rheumatism and joint diseases … Due to the high percentage of zinc and calcium, bones are strengthened, inflammatory processes are relieved, and the work of the musculoskeletal system improves.
- High antioxidant activity … Alcohols, acids and fats are oxidized, aging processes are inhibited, the condition of the skin, hair and nails improves.
- Help with poisoning … A sedative effect is manifested, the gastric mucosa becomes strong, pathogenic microflora is neutralized.
- Inhibition of aging processes … The acid-base balance is normalized, the condition of the skin improves, the hair becomes smooth and elastic, and the nails become stronger and stop exfoliating.
In addition, morels can help relieve indigestion and reduce phlegm production. Also, the fungus is able to prevent an epileptic seizure and reduce uncontrolled muscle contractions. It is beneficial for women during lactation, as it has a beneficial effect on milk production and has a positive effect on the functioning of the mammary glands.
Harm and contraindications to the use of morels
Before eating morels, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a qualified specialist and determine if there is an individual intolerance to individual components of the product. It is also worth monitoring the inclusion of the mushroom in the diet, since there is a risk of provoking painful symptoms and disruptions in the body.
Consequences of abuse of morel:
- Diarrhea - blood appears in the stool, flatulence, pain in the lower abdomen, malfunctions of the liver and kidneys, gastric resection, gastrinoma, Crohn's disease.
- Poisoning - frequent attacks of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, skin rashes, itching, redness, runny nose, conjunctivitis, inflammation of the mucous membrane, abscesses.
- Rapid heartbeat - a feeling of thirst appears, it hurts the eyes, the pupils narrow, the bronchi swell, loss of consciousness, blood pressure rises.
- Hemolysis - there is a failure in the formation of erythrocytes, an excessive amount of hemoglobin is released, the walls of blood vessels are affected.
- Hallucinations - apathy appears, efficiency decreases, imaginary perceptions of the external world appear.
In addition, the fungus can provoke jaundice, since the percentage of bilirubin in the body increases. The poisoned person has increased salivation and sweating.
Absolute contraindications for morels:
- Hypervitaminosis - due to the rich vitamin composition, the mushroom should not be used by people who have problems with an excess of vitamins. Skin rashes, joint pain, destruction of cartilage tissue may appear, and the condition of the skin and hair may worsen.
- Renal failure - chronic fatigue occurs, morel components can negatively affect the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, and the water balance is disturbed.
- Individual intolerance to the fungus - dryness of the epithelium and in the nose appears, the liver is affected, the spleen enlarges, the pulse becomes more frequent, nausea, fainting, stool disturbances, and changes in blood pressure.
Before use, this mushroom must be heat treated in order to exclude the presence of any pathogens.
Morel recipes
Adding morels to food products can improve the taste of a dish several times and give it a spicy taste. The mushroom is in perfect harmony with tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, meat, eggs, onions, potatoes, cabbage and olives. It can be cooked, fried, baked, dried, and canned.
There are the following recipes for morels, which are characterized by a special aroma, low calorie content and a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract:
- Baked morels … Rinse 300 grams of medium-sized morels with water, remove all contaminated areas. Pass 3 garlic cloves to the mushrooms through a press, add one tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, your own spice and a sprig of rosemary. In a separate container, combine a tablespoon of olive oil with 2 teaspoons of soy sauce and a pinch of sugar. This mixture is heated for 10 seconds in the microwave and poured over the mushrooms. Let the marinade sit for half an hour and then drain. In a bowl, beat the chicken egg with a teaspoon of salt and a tablespoon of flour. Drain this into mushrooms and mix thoroughly. Each morel is pierced with a toothpick and dipped in bread crumbs. Cover the baking sheet with baking paper and spread the mushrooms over it. They are sent to the oven for half an hour at a temperature of 180-190 ° C. All the juice will remain inside the morels. Meanwhile, the sauce is being prepared. 2 tomatoes are peeled and ground in a blender. A small head of onion is peeled, chopped and fried until golden brown in a preheated pan. Then spices, salt, 100 grams of cottage cheese and a few cloves of garlic are added to it. It costs about 3-4 minutes to simmer. Sprinkle with herbs at the end.
- Julienne … Onions are chopped and fried in a skillet. Then add 300 grams of chopped morels. Meanwhile, the sauce is being prepared. Melt 100 grams of butter, combine with 2 tablespoons of flour and begin to fry for 2-3 minutes. Then pour in 200 ml of low-fat cream and stir constantly with a whisk. When the sauce has thickened, you can remove it from the heat and season with salt and pepper to taste. Morels are mixed with sauce. Then 4-5 large potatoes are peeled and the insides are cut out to make a small groove for the filling. Above, if you wish, you can cut out a drawing. 400 ml of vegetable oil is poured into a deep container, allowed to warm up, and then the potatoes are immersed in it. It should turn into a deep golden color. Then it is wrapped in paper towels and the excess oil is squeezed out. Next, the baskets are filled with filling, sprinkled with hard grated cheese on top and put in the oven for 2-3 minutes. The finished dish turns out to be juicy and tasty.
- Potato gratin … Half a kilo of morels, along with onions, are cut and fried in an oiled frying pan. Peel and chop 4 potatoes into thin slices. Then they are placed on a baking sheet and sprinkled with mushrooms on top. In a separate container, combine 200 ml of cream, mayonnaise, 2 chicken eggs, a clove of garlic and spices. Potatoes are poured with sauce and baked in the oven at a temperature of 170-180 ° C for 45-50 minutes.
- Mushroom bigus … 300 grams of fresh morels are washed and cut into thin slices. 250 grams of white cabbage is chopped. In a preheated and frying pan, stew the mushrooms with a glass of water and chopped celery root for about 3 minutes. Then add cabbage, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, chopped onions and 60 grams of wheat flour. The ingredients are stewed over low heat for a quarter of an hour. A few minutes before readiness, the dish is salted, pepper and bay leaf is put.
- Mushroom casserole … A pound of morels and 2 onions are washed, chopped and fried in butter for about 10 minutes. Then add 250 grams of cream, pepper and salt. In a separate container, combine 4 chicken eggs, 3 tablespoons of flour and 150 grams of grated hard cheese. Then all the ingredients are mixed and poured into a special baking dish. The dish is placed for 10-15 minutes at a temperature of 170-180 ° C. At the end, sprinkle the casserole with grated cheese and herbs.
Morels are added to traditional dishes of Georgian, Armenian, Russian, Polish and Japanese cuisines.
Interesting Morel Facts
Morel has been an official mushroom in the US state of Minnesota since 1984. It is protected and not spread about the place of growth. It is also the national mushroom of Great Britain. It is highly regarded in Nepal as well.
Novgorod letters were found, which spoke of a mushroom place under the church of St. Panteleimon. They describe recipes for medicinal morel tinctures, which have immunostimulating properties and significantly improve vision.
In 1982, in the laboratory of San Francisco, Professor R. Ower attempted to cultivate the mushroom, but he never found a commercial application.
Watch the video about morels:
The widespread distribution of morels is due to their unique taste and aroma. They are easily transported and have a small list of contraindications for use.