Chewy Wood Ear Mushroom Stir-fry
:: Mushroom Dish :: Delicious Wood Ear Mushroom Stir-fry with Vegetables and Oyster Sauce Recipe
This wood ear mushroom stir-fry, seasoned with oyster sauce, makes for a perfect side dish. The chewy texture of the mushrooms combined with fresh vegetables creates a delightful taste and texture.
Main Ingredients
- 20g Dried wood ear mushrooms
- 1/4 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 mini bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp sugar
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp sugar
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by preparing the dried wood ear mushrooms. Place 20g of dried wood ear mushrooms in a bowl and soak them in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes until they are fully rehydrated and softened. This process also helps to clean them.
Step 2
While the mushrooms are soaking, prepare the vegetables. Peel and thinly slice 1/4 of a medium onion. Aim for consistent, thin slices for even cooking.
Step 3
Next, prepare the mini bell peppers. Trim the tops and remove the seeds. Slice them thinly, similar in size to the onions. If mini bell peppers are unavailable, you can use half of a larger bell pepper.
Step 4
Once the wood ear mushrooms are rehydrated, it’s time to clean and prepare them. Trim off any tough, woody stem bases that might still be attached. Then, tear the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces. Aim for pieces that are about 1-1.5 inches in size, so they have a pleasant chewiness.
Step 5
Rinse the prepared wood ear mushrooms thoroughly under cold running water. Gently rub them to ensure any remaining dirt or grit is removed. Rinse them about 3-4 times until the water runs clear, then lightly squeeze out excess water.
Step 6
Heat a stir-fry pan or wok over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Add the sliced onions and bell peppers. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until the vegetables start to soften and become slightly translucent.
Step 7
Add 0.5 tablespoon of minced garlic to the pan and continue to stir-fry for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 8
Add the rinsed and drained wood ear mushrooms to the pan. Continue to stir-fry over medium heat, mixing them well with the vegetables. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender but still retain a slight chewiness.
Step 9
Pour 1 tablespoon of soy sauce around the edges of the pan. Let it sizzle for about 10 seconds to develop its aroma, then stir everything together to coat the ingredients evenly. This step adds a wonderful depth of flavor.
Step 10
Add 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce to the stir-fry. Oyster sauce will add a rich umami flavor and a glossy finish to the dish.
Step 11
Add 0.5 tablespoon of sugar to balance the savory flavors. Continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring all ingredients are well-combined and coated with the sauce until the wood ear mushrooms are cooked through and have a slightly chewy texture.
Step 12
Turn off the heat. Sprinkle a pinch of black pepper over the stir-fry. This adds a subtle spicy note that complements the other flavors.
Step 13
Add 0.5 tablespoon of sesame seeds. These add a nutty flavor and a pleasant texture.
Step 14
Finally, drizzle 0.5 tablespoon of sesame oil over the stir-fry. Give everything a final gentle toss to distribute the sesame oil evenly. The sesame oil adds a wonderful fragrance.
Step 15
Your delicious wood ear mushroom stir-fry is ready! Enjoy the satisfying chewy texture of the mushrooms, the crispness of the vegetables, and the savory-sweet flavor from the oyster sauce. It’s a fantastic and healthy side dish that pairs wonderfully with rice.
