John Miller
Braised mushrooms are a delicious and hearty dish that can be made in a variety of ways, including the Chinese braising technique known as red cooking. This involves simmering the mushrooms in soy sauce and other ingredients like ginger until they are tender and stained reddish. You can also add ground meat, such as beef, venison, pork, or duck, to the dish. When choosing mushrooms, fresh shiitake, oyster, or king oyster mushrooms are great options, and larger mushrooms like portobellos or porcini can be sliced into smaller pieces. The cooking process starts by heating oil in a wok or skillet, stir-frying the mushrooms, and then adding ingredients like stock, soy sauce, wine, vinegar, sugar, garlic, and chiles. The dish is then simmered gently for 20 to 30 minutes and can be served as a vegetarian main course or a side dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of mushrooms | Fresh shiitake, oyster, king oyster, portobello, porcini, king trumpets |
| Other ingredients | Ginger, garlic, chiles, sugar, scallions, chicken stock, oyster sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, shallots, Shaoxing wine, vinegar, spring onions, butter, olive oil, salt |
| Preparation | Slice large mushrooms into smaller pieces; soak mushrooms in warm water for 20 minutes; stir-fry or pan-fry mushrooms in oil or butter; add other ingredients and simmer for 20-30 minutes |
| Notes | Can be served as a vegetarian main dish or as a side; can be bulked up with meat such as ground beef, venison, pork or duck |
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What You'll Learn
Braising different types of mushrooms
Braised mushrooms are a delicious and straightforward dish that can be served as a vegetarian main course or a side dish. While any mushroom can be braised, those with a firm or meaty texture are best. Common button mushrooms, cremini, portobello, shiitake, oyster, king oyster, and king trumpet mushrooms are all great choices. If using larger mushrooms, slice them into bite-sized pieces.
To braise mushrooms, heat a wok or skillet over medium heat and add oil. Add the mushrooms and stir-fry until they are coated in oil and begin to release their water. If you are adding meat, such as ground beef, venison, pork, or duck, do so at this stage. Then, add ingredients like stock, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, vinegar, sugar, ginger, garlic, and chiles. Simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes until the mushrooms are tender. If you want a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with water and stir it into the mushrooms before serving.
For a simple soy-braised mushroom dish, you can pan-fry the mushrooms in butter with ginger, chilli, and soy sauce. This recipe is quick and easy, taking only 25 minutes to serve two people.
If you want to add a Chinese twist to your braised mushrooms, there are a few variations you can try. Firstly, you can use extra virgin olive oil instead of a neutral oil. Additionally, you can add ingredients like chicken stock, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, and scallions. Finally, serve your braised mushrooms with Chinese dishes like fish stir fry, scallion pancakes, or lettuce cups.
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The braising technique
Braising mushrooms is a simple and effective way to add flavour and texture to a variety of dishes. The technique involves simmering the mushrooms in a small amount of liquid, such as soy sauce, until they are tender. This method is commonly used in Chinese cooking and is known as "red cooking" due to the reddish colour the mushrooms take on from the soy sauce.
To begin the braising process, you will first need to choose your mushrooms. Fresh shiitake, oyster, or king oyster mushrooms are all excellent choices, and if you want to add a contrasting texture, you can include some rehydrated wood ear mushrooms. If you are using large mushrooms like portobellos, porcini, or king trumpets, it is advisable to slice them into smaller pieces before cooking.
The next step is to heat your wok or skillet to a medium temperature and add a neutral oil or extra virgin olive oil to the pan. Coat the base of the pan with the oil by swirling it around. You can then add the mushrooms and stir-fry them until they are coated in oil and start to release their water. At this point, you can add your chosen liquid and any additional ingredients, such as garlic, ginger, chiles, sugar, or meat.
For a traditional Chinese-style braise, soy sauce is the key ingredient, but you can also add Shaoxing wine, vinegar, and chicken or oyster sauce for extra flavour. If you are using soy sauce, it is important to note that light soy sauce is different from the American-made variety, which is lower in sodium. Once all the ingredients are in the pan, mix well and simmer gently for around 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are tender and the sauce has reduced and coated the mushrooms.
Braised mushrooms are a versatile dish that can be served as a vegetarian main course or a side dish to accompany steak, roast chicken, or pork chops. They can also be used as a garnish or added to rice bowls for extra flavour and texture.
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Adding meat to the dish
If you want to add meat to your soy-braised mushrooms, there are several options you can consider. Braised beef with mushrooms is a popular dish, where the beef is cooked slow and low in the oven, resulting in tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat. You can use beef chuck, cubed into bite-sized pieces, and pair it with vegetables like carrots, onions, and mushrooms. The beef is seared first, then simmered with the vegetables, wine, and herbs for a rich and savory dish.
Another option is to braise lamb with mushrooms. While there are limited specific instructions for this combination, a Reddit user mentions their plan to braise a leg of lamb with mushrooms. Dried mushrooms can be added to the braise for an earthy flavor, while sautéed mushrooms can be added on top for a fresh texture.
If you're looking for a more typical Chinese preparation, pork is often used in red cooking, which involves simmering the meat in soy sauce and other ingredients until tender and stained reddish. You can add ground pork to your braised mushrooms for a hearty and flavorful dish. Alternatively, you could serve your braised mushrooms as a side dish with a main course of meat, such as steak, roast chicken, or pork chops.
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Braising with other ingredients
Braising mushrooms with other ingredients can add flavour and texture to your dish. Braised mushrooms are a great side dish, and can be served with steak, roast chicken, or pork chops.
If you want to add meat to your braised mushrooms, you can add finely ground meat such as beef, venison, pork, or duck. You can also add meat to the dish by braising the mushrooms with ingredients such as lamb loins, steak, roast chicken, or pork chops.
When it comes to vegetables, garlic is a popular addition to braised mushrooms. You can cook garlic alongside the mushrooms, or add it after the mushrooms have browned. Shallots are also a good option, as are scallions, which can be used as a garnish. Ginger is another ingredient that can be added to the dish, either at the beginning of cooking or returned to the pot later in the cooking process.
If you want to add a spicy kick to your braised mushrooms, consider adding chillies. You can also add some heat with pepper—white pepper is a good option.
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Serving suggestions
Braised mushrooms are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to consider:
Side Dish or Main Course
Braised mushrooms can be served as a delicious and hearty side dish to accompany a range of main courses. They go well with meat dishes such as steak, roast chicken, pork chops, or grilled lamb loins. For a vegetarian option, serve them with mashed potatoes or rice.
Chinese Meal
If you're creating a full Chinese spread, braised mushrooms are an excellent addition. Serve them as a side dish or a vegetarian main course, alongside dishes like fish stir-fry, scallion pancakes, or Chinese lettuce cups.
Garnish or Topping
The rich and glossy braised mushrooms can also be used as a garnish or topping for other dishes. Try them on steak, chicken, or lamb, or use them to add flavour and texture to a bowl of rice or mashed potatoes.
Adapt with Other Flavours
While braised mushrooms are commonly associated with Chinese cuisine, you can also adapt the dish with non-Chinese flavours. For example, serve them with steak, roast chicken, or pork chops, incorporating the mushrooms' flavours into the main course.
Texture and Variety
When serving braised mushrooms, consider adding a contrasting texture to the dish. Throw in a handful of rehydrated wood ear mushrooms or other varieties such as shiitake, oyster, or king oyster mushrooms. You can also bulk up the dish with ground meat, such as beef, venison, pork, or duck.
Presentation
For a simple yet effective presentation, garnish the braised mushrooms with chopped scallions or reserved scallion greens. You can also sprinkle extra herbs like parsley or thyme on top for added flavour and colour.
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Frequently asked questions
Fresh shiitake, oyster, or king oyster mushrooms are great choices for braising. If you want to use larger mushrooms like portobellos, slice them into smaller pieces.
You will need butter or oil, garlic, ginger, chilli, and soy sauce. You can also add ingredients like sugar, spring onions, and meat for extra flavour.
Soak the mushrooms in warm water for 20 minutes until they are soft, then squeeze out the excess liquid.
Melt butter or heat oil in a pan, add the mushrooms and cook until they are coated and softened. Add the garlic, ginger, and chilli, then pour in the soy sauce and any other ingredients. Simmer gently for 20-30 minutes.
Yes, braised mushrooms taste even better the next day as they absorb the flavours in the fridge.
