Michael Davis
Wood ear mushrooms, also known as black fungus, cloud ear mushrooms, jelly ear, or Jew's Ear, are a type of edible fungus that grows on trees. They are commonly used in Asian cuisine and are known for their distinctive crunchy jelly texture and mild, nutty, earthy flavour. Wood ear mushrooms are typically sold dried and need to be rehydrated before cooking. To rehydrate the mushrooms, soak them in warm water for 15 to 30 minutes, or until they are softened and pliable. Once rehydrated, they can be sliced and added to stir-fries, soups, salads, or other dishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soaking time | 30 minutes |
| Soaking temperature | Warm or boiling water |
| Cleaning | Rub individual pieces to remove dirt from folds |
| Stems | Remove tough stems by snipping them off |
| Cutting | Cut into small pieces to help them cook faster and release more flavor |
| Cooking time | Boil for 10-20 minutes, depending on the age of the mushroom when harvested |
| Cooking technique | Steam in a separate pan before adding to a dish or add towards the end of cooking to avoid overcooking |
| Texture | Crunchy, jelly-like, chewy, rubbery, crisp |
| Flavor | Mild, delicate, earthy |
| Color | Light brown, brownish-black, deep brown, black |
| Size | Small to medium, ranging from 1 to 6 inches when mature |
| Types | Fresh or dried |
| Uses | Soups, stews, stir-fries, salads, noodle soups, hot and sour dishes |
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What You'll Learn
Soak dried wood ear mushrooms in warm water for 15-30 minutes
Wood ear mushrooms are a versatile ingredient with a unique texture and mild flavour. They are typically sold dried and need to be rehydrated before cooking.
To rehydrate dried wood ear mushrooms, start by placing them in a large bowl and covering them with warm water. Leave them to soak for 15 to 30 minutes. The mushrooms will absorb the water and expand in size, so make sure there is enough room in the bowl for them to do so.
The amount of time needed to rehydrate the mushrooms can vary depending on their size and thickness. Thinner mushrooms may only need 15 minutes, while larger or older mushrooms may require closer to 30 minutes.
Once the mushrooms have softened and pliable, drain the water and give them a good rinse to remove any dirt or debris. The mushrooms will feel slippery at this stage. Then, you can trim off the hard stems with a knife or scissors before slicing or chopping them to your desired size.
Now that your wood ear mushrooms are rehydrated and prepared, they are ready to be added to your favourite recipes, such as stir-fries, soups, or salads.
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Wash and trim the mushrooms
Wood ear mushrooms are a versatile and tasty ingredient commonly used in Asian cuisine. They have a unique, springy, crunchy, jelly-like texture and a delicate earthy flavour. Before cooking, it is important to wash and trim the mushrooms thoroughly.
Firstly, clean the mushrooms to remove any moss, dirt, or other impurities. You can do this by gently rubbing each mushroom individually to dislodge any dirt hidden around the folds. Next, remove any tough stems by snipping them off.
Once the mushrooms are clean, you will need to soak them in warm water for about 30 minutes to rehydrate them. The mushrooms will absorb the water and expand in size. Make sure you use enough water to cover the mushrooms completely. You can add a lid to keep them submerged. After soaking, discard any cloudy or discoloured water.
After the mushrooms have soaked, you can boil them in fresh water for 10-20 minutes, depending on how long ago they were harvested. Older mushrooms may need a little longer. This step is optional but will soften the mushrooms further and make them easier to cook with.
Finally, you can slice the mushrooms into thin pieces or leave them whole, depending on your preference and the requirements of your recipe. Remember, wood ear mushrooms are delicate and can become tough if overcooked, so it is best to add them towards the end of cooking or steam them separately before adding them to your dish.
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Boil for 5-10 minutes
To soften wood ear mushrooms, one method is to boil them for 5-10 minutes. Wood ear mushrooms, also known as black fungus or cloud ear mushrooms, are a type of edible fungus that grows on the trunks of trees and is commonly used in Asian cooking. They have a unique, crunchy jelly texture and a delicate, earthy flavour.
To prepare the mushrooms for cooking, they should first be thoroughly cleaned to remove any moss or dirt. Then, they are soaked in warm water for around 30 minutes to rehydrate them. After soaking, they should be washed again by rubbing each mushroom to remove any remaining dirt. The tough stems should be removed by snipping them off.
Once the mushrooms have been cleaned, soaked, and prepared, they can be boiled. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add the mushrooms, boiling them for 5-10 minutes. The boiling time will depend on the freshness of the mushrooms and how long they were soaked for, so it is important to keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. Wood ear mushrooms are delicate and will become tough if cooked for too long.
After boiling, the mushrooms are ready to be added to your dish. They can be used in a variety of recipes, such as stir-fries, soups, salads, and hot and sour dishes. They are versatile and can add a unique texture and flavour to many types of cuisine.
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Add to stir-fries, soups, or salads
Wood ear mushrooms, also known as black fungus or cloud ear mushrooms, are a versatile ingredient commonly used in Asian cuisine. They have a unique, crunchy jelly-like texture and a delicate, earthy flavour.
To soften dried wood ear mushrooms, start by cleaning them thoroughly to remove any moss or dirt. Then, soak them in warm water for about 30 minutes. The mushrooms will absorb the water and expand in size. After soaking, give them a quick wash by rubbing them gently to remove any remaining dirt. You can now slice them into thin pieces or leave them whole, depending on your preference.
Once your mushrooms are ready, you can add them to stir-fries, soups, or salads:
- Stir-fries: Wood ear mushrooms are a great addition to stir-fries. Simply add them towards the end of cooking, as they cook quickly. Their delicate flavour allows them to absorb the surrounding flavours, much like tofu.
- Soups: Wood ear mushrooms are commonly used in Chinese hot and sour soups, such as Suan La Tang. They add a crunchy texture to any broth-based dish. Simply add the rehydrated mushrooms to your favourite soup recipe.
- Salads: Wood ear mushrooms are also used in Chinese salads. Their chewy, crunchy texture adds an interesting contrast to the dish. Remember to always cook the mushrooms before adding them to your salad, as they are not meant to be eaten raw.
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Store dried mushrooms in an airtight container
Wood ear mushrooms, also known as black fungus or cloud ear mushrooms, are a type of edible fungus that grows on the trunks of trees. They are commonly used in Asian cooking and can be purchased fresh or dried from grocery stores, Asian markets, and online retailers.
Dried wood ear mushrooms have a subtle flavour and are excellent for adding umami richness to dishes. When rehydrated, they expand and have a chewy, crunchy texture. To rehydrate dried wood ear mushrooms, soak them in warm water for about 30 minutes. The mushrooms will absorb the water and expand in size. After soaking, be sure to wash the mushrooms by rubbing them individually to remove any dirt or impurities hidden around the folds. The tough stems should be removed by cutting or snipping them off.
Once the mushrooms are rehydrated, you can cook them. They are very delicate and will become tough if overcooked, so be sure to add them towards the end of cooking or steam them separately before adding them to your dish. They are commonly stir-fried, added to soups or stews, or included in hot and sour dishes like suan la tang (hot and sour soup). You can also add them to noodle soups and salads.
After preparing your wood ear mushrooms, be sure to store any remaining mushrooms in an airtight container. This will keep them dry and prevent them from absorbing excess moisture, ensuring they remain crunchy and ready for your next meal.
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Frequently asked questions
To soften dried wood ear mushrooms, soak them in warm water for 15 to 30 minutes. You can also use hot water to reduce the process to 20 minutes.
After softening, wash the mushrooms by rubbing them to remove any dirt. Trim off the hard stems and slice or chop them according to your recipe.
Wood ear mushrooms can be stir-fried, boiled, or added to soups and salads. When stir-frying, add the mushrooms towards the end of cooking to avoid overcooking them.
Fresh wood ear mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days, wrapped in a damp paper towel. Dried wood ear mushrooms should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
