Asparagus & Morels In Wild Mushroom Vinaigrette

32 Asparagus spears

1/2 lb Fresh morels; halved,

-- cleaned and trimmed 1/4 oz Dried porcini mushrooms

1 c Chicken stock or water

1/4 c Balsamic vinegar

Trim and blanch asparagus until tender and stop the cooking by immersing in cold water. Drain and reserve. Soak porcini in stock or water. Bring to a boil and reduce volume to 1/4 cup. Strain. In blender, combine balsamic vinegar and the mushroom soaking water. Emulsify oil into base and season with salt and pepper. Steam asparagus for 1 minute to rewarm and arrange on warm plates. Saute morels in butter until they release their juices. Increase heat and saute 2-3 minutes. Toss morels in 2/3 of the vinaigrette. Divide among the spears and drizzle a little vinaigrette around each. Nutritional Info Per Serving: Protein: 4 gr. (7%); Carbohydrates: 12 gr. (21%); Fat: 18.5 gr. (72%); Calories: 215; Sodium: 444 mg.; Cholesterol: 4 mg. Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 3.5 Fat Serves 4

Copyright Whole Foods Market, 1995, [email protected] (http://www.wholefoods.com/wf.html) Reprinted with permission from Whole Foods Market Meal-Master compatible format courtesy of Karen Mintzias