Instructions: 4 SERVINGS VEGAN

There is nothing like the first morels of the season. Here, they are stuffed with yellow corn grits and cooked with okra. The mushroom juices are flavored with thyme and a drizzle of olive oil.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place morel mushrooms in ovenproof pan with 1 sprig of thyme, 1 tablespoon olive oil, water, salt and pepper. Cover and bake until tender, 30 to 40 minutes.

Remove mushrooms and pour morel juices into a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until reduced by one-third, 3 to 4 minutes. Slice morels in half lengthwise and fill 12 halves with hot cooked grits. In medium pan, warm okra in a few teaspoons of water, then slice /4 inch thick.

To assemble: Place small amount of okra in center of each plate. Place 3 stuffed motels on top of okra along with I plain morel half. Place 1 sprig fresh thyme on each plate and spoon reduced morel juices over mushrooms.

Drizzle remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil around plate.

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