How long do dried morels last?

[nissenpa]

I have had 2 0.5 ounce packages of dried morels in my cupboard for almost three years. My mother gave them to me to make Ina Garten's Chicken with Morels (had it once and it's delish) but I never got around to it.

Are these still good and could anyone provide a recipe for their favorite way to use them?

TIA

[scuzzo]

I wouldn't dream of tossing out morels, without at least trying them! I think dried mushrooms last forever.

[sarah galvin]

They will be fine. I reconstitute in warm water and chop and add to risotto. Delish. Could also toss with pasta. I'm using some in a pheasant vol au vent in a couple of weeks. Use them anywhere you want a mild mushroom flavour.

[Dave Westerberg]

I dried some three years ago that I found during a year there were a lot of them. I still use them. Reconstitute them (save the broth), cut them up very fine and scramble them with some farm-fresh eggs (from free range chickens--use really good eggs). Or just sautee in butter and put over good pasta.

[Harters]

I find dried mushrooms normally have about a 12 months "use by" date on the packet.

[greygarious]

I've had old packets of mushrooms at times; they seem to last several years but eventually they start to crumble into dust. Open it up and take a whiff - if they don't smell musty-dusty, give them a soak and use them.