Emperor Mushroom Stir-fry: A Delicious and Nutritious Recipe
Emperor Mushroom Stir-fry: A Delicacy with Rich Texture and Health Benefits
Emperor mushrooms are a hidden gem among fungi, boasting a uniquely soft yet chewy texture that is simply delightful. They can be grilled like meat, sliced thickly and pan-fried with butter for a rich treat, or transformed into a variety of dishes such as spicy mushroom hot pot, creamy mushroom spaghetti, or a fresh mushroom salad. Notably, emperor mushrooms are packed with beta-glucans, which are excellent for boosting immunity and have potent anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Today, we’re sharing a recipe for emperor mushroom stir-fry that delivers both exceptional taste and health benefits.
Main Ingredients- 2 Emperor Mushrooms (medium size)
- 1/4 Onion
- 1/4 Carrot
- 3 Korean Green Chili Peppers (Kkwari Gochu)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, check the size and shape of your emperor mushrooms. As their name suggests, emperor mushrooms tend to be quite large.
Step 2
Slice the prepared emperor mushrooms into thick, bite-sized pieces. Slicing them too thinly might diminish the chewy texture.
Step 3
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the sliced emperor mushrooms and blanch them for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Be careful not to overcook, as they can become mushy. Immediately rinse the blanched mushrooms under cold water to cool them down and drain thoroughly.
Step 4
Carefully pat the blanched emperor mushrooms dry using paper towels. Excess moisture can lead to a less pleasant taste when stir-frying.
Step 5
Slice the onion and carrot into strips similar in thickness to the onion. Remove the stems from the Korean green chili peppers and slice them into rounds. If you’d like to add more color, thinly sliced bell peppers would be a great addition.
Step 6
Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Once the garlic aroma fills the kitchen, add the sliced onions and stir-fry until they become translucent. Then, add the carrots and cook until they are slightly softened. Carrots are rich in fat-soluble vitamins (like Vitamin A), so stir-frying them enhances nutrient absorption.
Step 7
When the vegetables are partially cooked, add the drained emperor mushrooms. Pour in 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, and stir-fry everything together until the mushrooms are evenly coated with the sauce.
Step 8
Add 1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce, commonly used in Chinese cuisine. Dark soy sauce is less salty than regular soy sauce and primarily adds a rich color and gloss to dishes. If you don’t have dark soy sauce, you can omit it, as its main role here is color rather than flavor.
Step 9
Finally, add the sliced Korean green chili peppers and 2 tablespoons of oligosaccharide for sweetness and a nice sheen. If oligosaccharide is unavailable, corn syrup can be used as a substitute. Taste the stir-fry and adjust the seasoning with a pinch of salt if needed.
Step 10
Just before turning off the heat, sprinkle in some black and white sesame seeds for added nutty flavor. Your delicious emperor mushroom stir-fry is now complete and makes an excellent side dish for a warm bowl of rice.
