Michael Davis
Lion's mane mushrooms are a versatile ingredient with a unique appearance and flavour. They are native to North America, Europe, and Asia and are known by several names, including yamabushitake, bearded hedgehog, pom pom, and hedgehog mushrooms. They are often used in powder form or as supplements for their potential health benefits, but they are also popular in cooking. Some people liken their taste to seafood, while others disagree. However, most agree that they have a dense, meaty texture and a rich, savoury flavour. They can be cooked in several ways, including sautéing, pan-frying, stir-frying, and deep-frying.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White fungi with a shaggy hair-like exterior that resembles a lion's mane |
| Other Names | Pom Pom Mushroom, Hedgehog Mushroom, Yamabushitake, Bearded Hedgehog Mushroom |
| Native Regions | North America, Europe, Asia |
| Health Benefits | May support memory, cognitive function, and mood; anti-inflammatory properties |
| Taste | Savory, meaty, delicate, tender, juicy; some detect a seafood undertone |
| Common Uses | As a steak, in tacos, sandwiches, stir-fries, curry, crab cakes |
| Common Cooking Methods | Sautéing, pan-frying, grilling, compressing, caramelizing |
| Common Seasonings | Salt, pepper, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, butter |
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What You'll Learn
Sautéed lion's mane mushrooms
Ingredients:
- Lion's mane mushrooms
- Butter or olive oil
- Soy sauce or tamari
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Thyme
Instructions:
- Clean the mushrooms: Give them a quick rinse or use a soft brush/damp paper towel to remove any dirt. You can also cut off the bottoms of the mushrooms as they tend to remain dirty even after rinsing.
- Slice the mushrooms: Cut the mushrooms into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick slices. Some recipes suggest tearing them into bite-sized pieces for a more textured look.
- Heat the pan: Use a dry, medium skillet or a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. You can also add avocado oil for a higher smoke point.
- Sauté the aromatics: Add butter, oil, garlic, and thyme to the pan. Sauté on low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove the thyme sprigs, and if needed, the garlic with a slotted spoon.
- Add the mushrooms: Place the mushroom slices in the pan, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Sauté the mushrooms: Let the mushrooms cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until they are crispy and golden brown.
- Season and serve: Add salt and pepper to taste. For extra flavour, splash some soy sauce or tamari over the mushrooms just before removing them from the heat.
Variations and Serving Suggestions:
- You can also sauté the mushrooms in duck fat or any poultry fat for a richer flavour.
- Lion's mane mushrooms are known for their meaty texture and can be a great stand-alone dish, side, or meat substitute in sandwiches, tacos, or stir-fries.
- They pair well with mashed potatoes, polenta, risotto, or pasta.
- For a simple side dish, serve them on a rustic sourdough loaf drizzled with balsamic vinegar or glaze.
- To make it a heartier meal, serve them over creamy polenta or mashed potatoes with a pan sauce.
Enjoy your delicious and versatile sautéed lion's mane mushrooms!
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Pan-fried lion's mane mushroom
Ingredients
- Lion's mane mushrooms
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Soy sauce
- Vinegar
- Maple syrup
- Bread
- Balsamic vinegar or glaze
- Rice
- Parsley
- Garlic
- Duck fat
- Poultry fat
- Cornstarch
- Flour
- Baking powder
- White pepper
- Garlic powder
- Egg
- Milk
- Paprika
- Onion powder
Recipe
First, clean the lion's mane mushrooms by brushing or wiping off any dirt. Then, slice the mushrooms into 1/4- to 1/3-inch pieces. The pieces should be thin enough to achieve a crispy texture but not too thin, as they will shrink during cooking.
Next, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper and place them in the skillet, ensuring they are not crowded. Sear the mushrooms for about 4 to 7 minutes, pressing down on them with a second pan to compress and release their liquid. Flip the mushrooms and sear the other side for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, compressing again.
Once the mushrooms are golden brown, you can either cook off or drain the liquid. For a simple glaze, mix soy sauce, vinegar, and maple syrup, and drizzle over the mushrooms. Cook for another 30 seconds, turning to coat evenly.
Finally, slice the mushrooms and serve. They can be enjoyed as an appetizer, side dish, or added to a stir fry. For a heartier meal, serve over rice, with a slice of bread drizzled with balsamic vinegar or glaze, or alongside sautéed parsley and garlic cooked in duck or poultry fat.
For a more indulgent treat, you can batter and fry the lion's mane mushrooms. First, dip the mushroom slices in a mixture of egg and milk, then dredge in a flour mixture seasoned with paprika, onion powder, and other desired spices. Dunk the mushrooms in the wet batter again, followed by a second coating of the dry batter. Fry the battered mushrooms in oil heated to 350°F until golden brown, about 7 to 10 minutes. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
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Lion's mane mushroom steak
Lions Mane Mushroom Steak
Ingredients
- Lions Mane Mushrooms
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- BBQ sauce
- Thyme or parsley (optional)
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400ºF/200ºC with convection or 420ºF if you have no convection.
- Prepare the mushrooms by trimming the bottoms so they sit flat.
- Heat a heavy ovenproof skillet, like cast iron, over medium-high heat.
- Oil the skillet and season the pan with salt and pepper.
- Sear the mushrooms on both sides, pressing down with a grill press or another pan to compress them to around 1 ½ to 2 inches thick.
- Once seared, place the mushrooms in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove the mushrooms from the oven and put them on a cutting board.
- Place the pan over medium heat, add butter, and stir to scrape up the flavours from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in BBQ sauce until you have a medium-thick sauce.
- Slice the mushrooms thinly and fan them out over the sauce on the plate.
- Garnish with thyme or parsley, if desired.
Tips
- If your mushrooms are heavy and full of water, let them cook a little longer to press out the water and concentrate the texture and flavour.
- You can marinate the mushrooms before cooking to elevate the dish. Try a blend of olive oil, lime juice, soy sauce, vegan Worcestershire sauce, and garlic for an Argentinian-inspired dish.
- If you want to shred the lion's mane, tear it into bite-sized pieces and sauté until tender and crispy. Add a sauce like BBQ or Mexican adobo and serve as a main course over mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or risotto.
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Lion's mane mushroom tacos
Lion's mane mushrooms are a variety of fungi commonly used in Asian countries. They are white and shaggy, resembling a lion's mane, and grow in clumps without the typical mushroom features of a stalk and cap. They are native to North America, Europe, and Asia and are often used in powder form or as supplements to boost brain health and protect against dementia and Alzheimer's.
Now, let's get into making some delicious lion's mane mushroom tacos!
Preparing the Mushrooms:
Start by cleaning the lion's mane mushrooms with a damp cloth or towel. Avoid washing them in water, as they tend to soak it up. Then, with your fingers, shred the mushrooms into small strips or thin slices.
Making the Marinade:
In a large bowl, add soy sauce, lime juice, maple syrup (optional), garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Whisk these ingredients together until you have a smooth marinade. Add the shredded lion's mane mushrooms to the bowl and mix well, ensuring the marinade coats the mushrooms evenly. Let the mushrooms marinate for 2-3 minutes.
Cooking the Mushrooms:
Heat some olive oil or avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You can use cast iron for this step. Add the mushrooms with the marinade to the hot skillet and cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are browned and slightly crispy. You can also place a heavy item like another pan on top of the mushrooms to compress them while they cook.
Alternatively, you can air fry or bake the mushrooms. Air fry at 375°F for 8-12 minutes, being careful not to burn them. For baking, follow a similar process and bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes or until golden.
Assembling the Tacos:
Now it's time to build your tacos! Start with a warm tortilla and add about 1/3 cup of the lion's mane mushroom filling. You can also use taco shells if you prefer. Next, add your choice of toppings. Here are some suggestions:
- Shredded cabbage
- Cherry tomato halves
- Avocado slices
- Cashew sour cream or regular sour cream
- Cilantro
- Black olives
- Pumpkin seeds
- Jalapeno slices
- Salsa
- Sprouts or microgreens
- Plant-based cheese shreds
Feel free to get creative and add or remove toppings to suit your taste!
Tips and Variations:
- If you want to add some extra flavor to the mushrooms, you can make a sauce with tamari and garlic, tossing it with the mushrooms about 30 seconds before they finish cooking.
- You can also make lion's mane mushrooms into a "steak" by searing thick slices in a skillet and serving them with a pan sauce.
- For a quick and easy meal, sauté the mushrooms in butter or olive oil and serve them in a tortilla with salsa, lime, and cilantro.
- Lion's mane mushrooms are versatile and can be used as a meat substitute in various dishes, including stir-fries, sandwiches, and even "crab" cakes.
Enjoy your lion's mane mushroom tacos! They are a delicious, savory, and "meaty" option for taco night that your family and friends are sure to love.
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Lion's mane mushroom crab cakes
Lions mane mushrooms are a versatile ingredient with a meaty texture and a mild, sweet flavour. They are often used as a meat substitute, and some people detect a seafood undertone to their taste. This quality makes them perfect for vegetarian crab cakes.
Ingredients
- Lion's mane mushrooms
- Mayo
- Dijon mustard
- Egg
- Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- Onions
- Parsley (optional)
- Old Bay seasoning
- Smoked paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Oil
Method
First, shred the lion's mane mushrooms into small pieces. You can do this by hand or in a food processor. Aim for a flakey texture that resembles lump crab meat. Transfer the shredded mushrooms to a skillet with two tablespoons of water and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until all the water has been released. Set aside and allow the mushrooms to cool.
In a large bowl, mix the mayo, Dijon mustard, egg, Worcestershire sauce, onions, parsley, Old Bay seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Once the mushrooms have cooled, squeeze out any excess moisture and add them to the bowl. Fold the mushrooms into the mixture and stir in the panko breadcrumbs. Form the mixture into patties that are around 1/2-3/4 inch thick.
You can cook the crab cakes in an air fryer, on the stovetop, or in the oven. If using an air fryer, preheat it to 400°F and spray the basket with cooking spray. Place the patties in the basket, spray them with cooking spray, and cook for around 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. For stovetop cooking, heat a nonstick skillet with oil over medium-high heat and cook the patties for 3-4 minutes on each side. If baking the crab cakes, place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and cook at 425°F for about 15 minutes.
Serve the crab cakes with a yogurt spread, remoulade sauce, tartar sauce, or lemon wedges. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
Heat oil or butter in a skillet on medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Season with salt and pepper and add other seasonings like garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, maple syrup, or parsley to taste.
Oil a skillet and season the pan with salt and pepper. Sear the bottom of the mushroom over medium heat, pressing it down to compress it to 1.5-2 inches thick. Sear the other side, then slice and serve.
Lion's mane mushrooms are a versatile meat substitute that can be added to sandwiches, stir-fries, tacos, risottos, or pasta dishes. They can also be sautéed and served on crusty bread with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or glaze.
Lion's mane mushrooms have a savory, meaty flavor and a chewy texture. Some people detect a seafood or crab meat undertone, while others find them to be sweet and tangy. They are also known for their potential brain-boosting benefits.
