A wood ear mushroom recipe may not be what you think you need, but it is definitely what you want. You can find these mushrooms also labeled as “dried black fungus.”
Take A Look At This Wood Ear Mushroom Recipe
So, what are wood ear mushrooms?
As the name suggests, these mushrooms look like ears. They have a chewy texture and are very popular in Chinese cuisines. Don’t be confused with cloud ear mushrooms, which are similar, but smaller. Though in a pinch, these are interchangeable if needed.
If you haven’t seen these mushrooms, don’t worry, they are not that uncommon, you just have to look more carefully. Start by looking at an Asian food market or store, but a quick search online will render thousands of results. You should be aware, though, that these mushrooms are rarely available fresh, unless you have to go or live in China.
How can you cook these mushrooms?
The answer is, however you want! For this recipe, a quick wok stir-fry turns out delicious. You can use pork belly or pork, the dried wood ear mushrooms, bell peppers, soy sauce, and water. Other good ingredients include chicken, turkey, or fish, carrots, and chestnuts.
For this dish, you can also add dried red chilies, peanut sauce, hoisin sauce, peanuts, or red pepper flakes. The trick to the wood ear mushrooms is that they are versatile, basically able to absorb any flavor.
And if you have vegetarians at home, don’t worry, this recipe can easily be a veggie stir-fry. Try adding more mushrooms instead and maybe some tofu for extra protein. Wood ear mushrooms are high in nutrients and will make your meal super nutritious.
See how easy that was? Now it’s time to surprise your family with a whole new meal full of tasty flavors. These wood ear mushrooms can become a staple at home from now on!
Pork Belly With Wood Ear Mushroom
Ingredients
1 lb (450 g) pork belly, cut into half-inch slices
1 cup (128 g) dried wood ear mushrooms
1 bell pepper
3 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
1/4 cup (60 ml) water
Directions
- Sear pork in a skillet over medium-high heat until it is golden brown.
- Add bell pepper, stir fry for 2 minutes.
- Add soy sauce and mushrooms. Stir fry for 5 minutes.
- Pour 1/4 cup water, cover skillet and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes on medium heat.
- Stir and serve!