Fried chicken of the woods has become a staple in many kitchens, particularly if you are either vegetarian or vegan. This mushroom is extremely popular because it can substitute for real chicken or other meat and offers a very similar flavor and texture.
Try This Delicious Fried Chicken of The Woods Today
Because the chicken of the woods mushroom has a texture that is similar to chicken, you can sauté it just like you would the real thing. You can also add a little breading to make it taste like a fried filet.
To get the best batter, this recipe uses flour, salt, and eggs. You will also need at least 4 chicken of the woods pieces, sweet paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, thyme, garlic, and lemon wedges. You can substitute some of the spices for others such as cumin, white pepper, garlic powder, basil, or dill.
What is great about this recipe is that you can make this fried mushroom and then add any sauce you like. You could make it into a vegetarian picatta with stock and white wine, capers, and herbs. How about adding tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese and bake it for an impromptu parmigiana? Or add BBQ sauce to turn this into a Southern-style dish?
Before you toss the mushrooms, make sure to season the batter before you use it with salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne. You can use butter to sauté your chicken of the woods, but consider adding olive oil as you go.
If you have a mushroom that has been in the fridge, or is getting old, you should consider steaming it and patting it dry.
Serve your fried chicken of the woods alongside some roasted potatoes and asparagus, and offer with a lemon wedge. Enjoy this meal any time, for dinner, or as a sandwich for lunch.
Fried Chicken of The Woods
Ingredients
4 2-oz (50 g) pieces of small, fist-sized young chicken of the woods
roughly 1 cup (about 128 g) all purpose flour, as needed for breading
kosher salt to taste
fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 generous pinch sweet paprika
1 small pinch cayenne pepper
3 eggs for breading
a few sprigs fresh thyme (optional)
small garlic clove, crushed lightly
lemon wedges for serving
Directions
- Trim off the tough part of the mushrooms where the stem was attached to the tree. Wash and dry thoroughly for the seasonings to be absorbed.
- Take the flour and season with a good pinch of salt, pepper, paprika and cayenne to taste.
- To coat the mushrooms, toss in the flour, then into egg, then in flour again. If the coating does not stick because the mushrooms are a bit dry, consider steaming then patting them dry first.
- Heat 1/4 cup (60 ml) cooking oil in a pan together with 2 tbsp unsalted butter.
- Add breaded chicken mushrooms, crushed garlic clove, and thyme.
- Cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until they are golden brown on each side. Add extra oil if the pan dries out.
- Blot cooked mushrooms on a paper towel quickly to weep excess oil. Sprinkle with a little salt to finish.
- Serve and enjoy!
Looking to try another amazing mushroom recipe? why not give this Steak and Mushroom recipe a go?
