Clean the morel mushrooms gently with a soft brush or damp paper towel
Slice larger morels in half lengthwise
Soak briefly in cold salted water if needed to remove dirt or insects
Drain well and pat completely dry
Cook morels thoroughly before eating
Sauté in butter or oil over medium heat until tender
Add minced garlic, shallots, or herbs if desired
Season with salt and pepper
Use in omelets, pasta, sauces, risotto, or with steak and chicken
Avoid eating raw morels
Discard any mushrooms that are slimy, rotten, or heavily damaged