Shiitake mushrooms, also known as Dong Co mushrooms, are native to Asia and renowned for their delicious flavor and nutritional benefits. With their distinctive taste, these mushrooms can be used as a meat substitute. Learn how to prepare and cook with them in a variety of dishes to unlock their full potential.
1 Preparing Dried Shiitake Mushrooms
How to Prepare Dried Shiitake Mushrooms
– When using dried Shiitake mushrooms in cooking, soak them for 30 minutes to a few hours to soften. Soaking for less than 30 minutes may result in uneven texture and affect the taste.
– For faster softening, soak the mushrooms whole without slicing or cutting them.
– After soaking, place the mushrooms in a colander to drain excess water. This helps retain their shape and texture during cooking, preventing them from becoming too soft or mushy. If you need to cook them immediately, use a paper towel to gently pat them dry.
– The mushroom soaking water can be used in cooking to enhance the flavor of your dishes.
How to Prepare Fresh Shiitake Mushrooms
– When using fresh Shiitake mushrooms, avoid soaking them in water like the dried variety as they can become soft and mushy during cooking.
– Gently rinse the mushrooms, removing any damaged or dirty parts. If the stems are too tough, cut them off, but if they are soft, keep them to cook with the caps.
2 Cooking with Shiitake Mushrooms
– For stir-fries, slice the mushrooms and cook them with other ingredients for 4-5 minutes over high heat.
– When grilling over charcoal, brush the mushrooms with oil and grill for 5-10 minutes.
– If you prefer to use an oven, bake the mushrooms for 15 minutes at a high temperature. You can slice them or cook them whole, depending on your preference.
– For other cooking methods, follow the specific recipe instructions to ensure the best results in terms of taste and nutrition.
See also:
3 Shiitake Mushroom Recipes
Stuffed Shiitake Mushrooms with Minced Pork
Ingredients:
– Dried Shiitake mushrooms: about 10
– Pork: 200g
– Dried shrimp: a handful
– Arrowhead: 3
– Chopped scallions
– Cornstarch
– Marinade for pork: 1 tbsp cooking wine, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp cornstarch, a pinch of pepper.
Instructions:
Soak the mushrooms in warm water and remove the stems. Set the soaking water aside for later use. Clean and mince the pork and dried shrimp, then mix with the arrowhead and garlic. Add the marinade and mix well. Let it sit for about 20 minutes.
Sprinkle some cornstarch inside the mushroom caps and stuff them with the pork mixture. Steam the stuffed mushrooms for about 10 minutes until cooked.
In a pan, mix the mushroom soaking water with cornstarch and seasoning to make a sauce. Pour the sauce over the stuffed mushrooms and garnish with scallions. Serve hot with rice.
Shiitake Mushrooms and Spoon Cabbage Stir-Fry
See the detailed instructions at .
Ingredients:
– Spoon cabbage: 1 bunch
– Fresh Shiitake mushrooms: 100g
– Garlic: 1 clove
– Seasoning: soy sauce, MSG, pepper, sesame oil
Instructions:
Remove the stems from the mushrooms, rinse, and decorate as desired. Cut the spoon cabbage, removing the roots, and rinse. Mince the garlic and sauté in a pan with a little oil until fragrant. Add the mushrooms and cook until done, then add the spoon cabbage and continue stir-frying.
Season with soy sauce, MSG, and pepper, and mix well for another 2 minutes before turning off the heat. Serve on a plate and sprinkle with a little pepper.
Braised Shiitake Mushrooms with Ginger
Ingredients:
– 15 dried Shiitake mushrooms
– 500ml water
– 2 tbsp Kikkoman soy sauce
– 1 small ginger root, sliced
– 2 tbsp sugar
– Sesame oil
Instructions:
Soak the dried Shiitake mushrooms in warm water for about 15 minutes to soften them. Remove the stems and place the caps in a pot. Add water, soy sauce, and ginger. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 40 minutes until the mushrooms are tender. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
Serve in a bowl and drizzle with a few drops of sesame oil. Enjoy hot with rice.
We hope that with this information, you will find it easier to prepare and cook delicious and nutritious dishes with Shiitake mushrooms. Feel free to share your own recipes and experiences in the comments below.