Source: YamisHandmade, AdobeStockAsian cuisine has given us many wonderful ingredients. Among them are wood ear mushrooms, highly valued for their interesting texture and original taste. Here's a selection of the best wood ear mushroom recipes you'll want to cook again and again!
1. Pickled Wood Ear Mushrooms
Source: AdobeStockA great accompaniment to various side dishes and meat courses.
You will need: 80 g dried wood ear mushrooms, 30 g salt, 40 ml vinegar, 400 ml water, 2 cloves, 2 allspice berries, 4 black peppercorns.
Instructions: Soak the mushrooms in cold water for 3-4 hours, rinse and drain, then pour boiling water over them for another 15 minutes. Separately, bring 400 ml of water with all spices to a boil, add vinegar, and place the wood ear mushrooms into the boiling marinade. Boil for another 15 minutes and drain in a colander. These mushrooms can be eaten immediately or stored in the refrigerator in the cooled marinade.
2. Glass Noodles with Beef and Wood Ear Mushrooms
Source: AdobeStockHere's how to prepare a dish from a Chinese restaurant in your own kitchen.
You will need: 300 g beef, 400 g glass noodles, 200 g dried wood ear mushrooms, 1 carrot, 1 onion, 100 g spinach, 20 ml soy sauce, 10 ml sesame oil, 10 g sugar, dried garlic, sesame seeds.
Instructions: Mix sesame oil, soy sauce, and dried garlic. Slice the beef into strips and marinate it in this mixture for 1 hour. Prepare the glass noodles according to package instructions and rinse. You can also dress them separately with soy sauce and sesame oil.
Pour hot water over the dried wood ear mushrooms for 10 minutes, rinse, and slice. Blanch the spinach in boiling water, julienne the onion and carrot. Sauté the onion, carrot, mushrooms, and beef separately until cooked. Combine all ingredients and sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.
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3. Classic Chinese Wood Ear Mushroom Salad
Source: AdobeStockA popular cold appetizer with a pungent garlic aroma and pleasant tanginess.
You will need: 30 g dried wood ear mushrooms, 2 cloves garlic, 1 bunch cilantro, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sugar.
Instructions: Soak the dried wood ear mushrooms in warm water for 1-2 hours to rehydrate. Then rinse them thoroughly, trim any tough bases, and cut into medium pieces. Mince the garlic and cilantro.
In a deep bowl, mix soy sauce, vegetable oil, rice vinegar, and sugar. Add the mushrooms, garlic, and herbs, mix well, and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes before serving.
4. Chicken with Wood Ear Mushrooms in Soy Sauce
Source: AdobeStockA hearty Asian-style hot dish for a family dinner.
You will need: 2 chicken fillets, 30 g dried wood ear mushrooms, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 clove garlic, 1 tsp cornstarch, ground black pepper, spices.
Instructions: Soak the wood ear mushrooms in warm water for 1 hour, rinse, and slice. Cut the chicken fillet into small pieces and sauté in vegetable oil until it changes color. Then add the mushrooms, season with pepper and other spices, and cook for another 5 minutes.
Separately, mix soy sauce, cornstarch, and minced garlic, pour over the chicken, stir, and simmer everything together for 3-4 minutes under a lid over low heat.
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5. Crispy Wood Ear Mushrooms with Onion and Garlic
Source: AdobeStockYou can serve them with boiled rice or buckwheat.
You will need: 40 g dried wood ear mushrooms, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 pinch salt.
Instructions: Pour hot water over the mushrooms for 30-40 minutes, then rinse them under running water and slice into strips. Slice the onion into half-rings, and finely chop the garlic.
Heat vegetable oil in a pan and sauté the onion until golden. Add the wood ear mushrooms and garlic, fry over high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in the soy sauce, season with salt to taste, cook for another 1-2 minutes, and remove from heat.
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6. Tofu and Wood Ear Mushroom Soup
Source: AdobeStockAnd if you want to make it spicy, add a spoon of chili paste.
You will need: 200 g tofu, 20 g dried wood ear mushrooms, 1.5 L chicken broth, 1 egg, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1.5 tbsp cornstarch, 1 bunch green onions.
Instructions: Soak the mushrooms in hot water for half an hour, rinse, and finely chop. Dice the tofu. Bring the chicken broth to a boil, add the wood ear mushrooms and tofu, and cook for 10 minutes.
Dissolve cornstarch in 50 ml of cold water to avoid lumps, and carefully pour into the pot. Add soy sauce and rice vinegar. Whisk the egg and continue to pour in a thin stream, stirring constantly. Heat the soup for another 1 minute, remove from heat, and sprinkle with green onions.
7. Wood Ear Mushrooms in Tomato Sauce
Source: AdobeStockAn unusual combination of an Asian ingredient and classic tomato sauce.
You will need: 40 g dried wood ear mushrooms, 1 bell pepper, 1 onion, 3 tbsp tomato paste, 100 ml water, vegetable oil, sugar, salt, spices to taste.
Instructions: Soak the wood ear mushrooms in warm water for 1-2 hours, rinse, and cut into large pieces. Dice the onion and bell pepper, and sauté the onion in oil until translucent. Add the bell pepper and mushrooms, fry for another 5 minutes, and pour in the tomato paste diluted in water. Add salt, sugar, and spices to taste, stir, and simmer everything together for 10-12 minutes under a lid over low heat.
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8. Baked Wood Ear Mushrooms with Tofu and Vegetables
Source: AdobeStockIn case you don't want to bother with a frying pan.
You will need: 250 g tofu, 30 g dried wood ear mushrooms, 1 bell pepper, 1 carrot, 1 eggplant, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 clove garlic, ground black pepper, spices.
Instructions: Soak the wood ear mushrooms in warm water for 1-2 hours, then rinse well and cut into large pieces. Cut all vegetables and tofu into medium pieces. Mix vegetable oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, ground pepper, and spices, combine all ingredients, and place in a baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes in the oven at 190 degrees Celsius (375°F).