-A warning from the start, always make sure the morals you use are safe. If you don’t know for sure, please replace morels with your mushroom of choice from your local grocery.-

In my upcoming fantasy novel, there is a character named Marcum Wiggsnem who runs a famous restaurant in Charles Gate called The Pig Pen. He is famous for making Marcum’s King-bowl Toast, which is basically morel mushroom toast. So here is that famous recipe from Marcum’s restaurant in the heart of the city of Charles Gate. Enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 4 slices of whole wheat bread
• 1/2 lb. of morel mushrooms, sliced
• 4 beef bone marrow pieces, about 1 inch each, soaked overnight in water to whiten
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 tbsp. of butter
• 2 tbsp. of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toast the slices of whole wheat bread in the oven until crisp and golden, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
4. Add the minced shallots and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Add the sliced morel mushrooms and minced garlic to the pan and cook until the mushrooms are tender about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Remove from heat and keep warm.
7. In another pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
8. Sear the beef bone marrow pieces for about 2-3 minutes on each side until browned and soft.
9. Place a piece of beef bone marrow on top of each slice of toast and spread gently to cover.
10. Place the toasted bread and beef marrow combination on a baking sheet and top each slice with the morel mushroom mixture.
11. Bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes until the bone marrow is hot and slightly softened.
12. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

This rich and savory toast combines the nutty flavor of whole wheat bread with the earthy taste of morel mushrooms and the indulgent creaminess of beef bone marrow. Please use mushrooms you are sure are actual morels, or substitute your own favorite grocery store mushroom instead, to be safe.

For additional flavor or something different, top with a sunny-side-up egg fried in bone marrow grease.

D. Michl Lowe