284620 Mon Apr 17 16:16:19 -0700 2006 2 31 Home Cooking 0 1521961 I've never bought fresh morels before--just dried. Should I store them in the fridge? How long do they keep? If I'm planning to have them as part of a dinner on Saturday evening, can I buy them now (Monday)or should I wait? Thanks in advance for any tips. Mon Apr 17 16:16:19 -0700 2006 0 bugfat 1 1521967 Store them in the fridge in a paper bag. Plastic is the worst thing you can do for them, they will end up a gooey mess. I would buy them 3 days in advance at the most, if time allows. Buying them now is pushing it a bit, but they would probably be fine. Mon Apr 17 16:31:23 -0700 2006 1521961 0 Aaron 2 1522099 Similar but different- Wild mushrooms benefit from being stored dry- For morels, Chantrelles, and other fragile wet mushrooms, I lay them out across a paper-towel lined sheet pan, covered with another layer of paper towels. If the morels were wet when picked, this will help dry them- if they were pretty dry, this will preserve them. THough they are definitel great fresh as possible, this drying method will keep them in great shape for up to a week. If they're really wet, rotate them and replace the papertowels regularly (oh every 2 days or so)... if your fridge runs cold, keep them near the door- freezing mushrooms is not so yummy. By the way, since you mentioned these are your first batch at home, you might want to give ema bath before you cook 'em- With a soft paintbrush or pastry brush , give the 'shrooms a brush to disloge dirt from the nooks & crannies- before cooking, fill your sink (or a pot) with cold, salty water, dumb the mushrooms in, aggitate lightly, then scoop them out with a spyder or collander- little worms and wriggly bugs sometimes find their way into the hollow caps- but don't like saltwater. Pile the damp shrooms on mor epapertowels (or a kitchen towel) to dry before you saute, roast, or braise. Tue Apr 18 09:26:28 -0700 2006 1521967 0 jdherbert