Morel and Fiddlehead Fern Ragout

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds fiddlehead ferns
• 2 shallots, minced
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1/2 pound fresh morels, trimmed and rinsed well
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper
• Parmesan curls, for garnish

Directions

In a saucepan, bring 1 1/2 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add fiddleheads and return to a boil. Using a slotted spoon, transfer fiddleheads to an ice bath and chill. Drain and pat dry, removing as much of the outer brown, tissue-like membrane as possible.

In a skillet saute shallots in butter until softened, about 2 minutes. Add thyme, morels, and garlic and continue to cook until morels have softened and given up their liquid, about 3 minutes. Continue to cook until almost all liquid is evaporated, about 2 more minutes. Add chicken stock and cook until reduced by half. Add fiddleheads and cook 2 minutes, add cream, chives, and parsley, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with Parmesan curls.