Stir-Frying Mushrooms: Quick Tips For A Tasty Dish

how to stir fry mushroom

Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to Thai curries. When it comes to stir-frying mushrooms, there are a few key steps to follow to ensure they turn out perfectly. Firstly, it is important to slice the mushrooms thinly or separate them at the base if they are small and grouped together. While mushrooms do not need to be washed, you may choose to do so, especially if there is some grow medium stuck to them. Next, heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat and add the mushrooms, stirring frequently. It is important to cook the mushrooms until they soften and release their moisture, which should take around 2 to 3 minutes. At this point, you can add other ingredients such as garlic, ginger, and chilli sauce, followed by a drizzle of soy sauce or fish sauce. Finally, toss in some green onions, and your mushroom stir-fry is ready to be served as a side dish, snack, or topping.

Characteristics Values
Preparation time Less than 10 minutes
Mushrooms Shiitake, beech, enoki, white, oyster, trumpet, porcini, maitake, crimini, button
Other ingredients Garlic, ginger, green onions, celery, onion, bell pepper, shallots, serrano, scallions, sesame seeds, vegetable oil, fish sauce, soy sauce, liquid aminos, Tamari, chili garlic sauce, rice vinegar, Japanese barbecue sauce, mirin, cornstarch, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, coriander powder, coriander leaves, kosher salt, pepper, peanut oil
Instructions Thinly slice mushrooms. Heat oil in a wok or pan over high heat. Add mushrooms and stir-fry until they begin to soften and release moisture. Add other ingredients and cook until vegetables are tender. Add sauce and cook until thickened. Serve immediately.

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Choosing the right mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms are a popular choice, known for their meaty texture and earthy flavour. They hold up well during cooking and add a satisfying bite to your stir-fry. If you're looking for a more exotic option, oyster mushrooms offer a unique flavour and texture that can elevate your dish. Trumpet mushrooms are another great option, providing a similar texture to shiitake but with a milder flavour.

For a more well-rounded stir-fry, consider adding a mix of mushrooms. Combining shiitake, trumpet, and oyster mushrooms can create a complex and satisfying dish. You can also include beech and enoki mushrooms for added visual appeal and textural variety. These mushrooms have a more delicate texture that can balance out the heartiness of the other varieties.

When selecting mushrooms, it's important to consider their preparation. Most mushrooms should be thinly sliced or chopped to ensure even cooking. You can also cut them into bite-sized pieces to make them easier to eat. It's worth noting that mushrooms will release water during cooking, so it's crucial to cook them over high heat to evaporate the liquid and achieve a crispy texture.

Overall, the key to choosing the right mushrooms for your stir-fry is to consider the flavour and texture you want to achieve. By selecting a variety of mushrooms and preparing them properly, you can create a delicious and satisfying dish.

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Preparing the mushrooms

Before cooking, you can choose to wash the mushrooms under running water to remove any dirt or debris. However, this step is optional, especially if you are using standard supermarket button mushrooms, which are grown on pasteurized substrates. If you do wash them, gently brush off any foreign bits, then pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.

Next, slice the mushrooms thinly. If they are small and grouped together at the base, you can cut off the base to separate them. Alternatively, you can tear them into bite-sized pieces.

Now your mushrooms are ready to be cooked! Heat some oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Spread the mushrooms in an even layer in the pan and let them cook undisturbed for a few minutes until browned. You can flip them occasionally, but try not to stir too often so they can get nicely browned. The mushrooms will release water, so let this evaporate, and continue cooking until the water dries up and the mushrooms are slightly browned and glossy.

Once the mushrooms are cooked, you can add other ingredients and sauces to create your desired flavour profile.

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Cooking the mushrooms

Cooking mushrooms for a stir-fry is a quick and easy process. First, you will need to prepare the mushrooms. You can wash the mushrooms, but this is not necessary, especially if they are standard supermarket button mushrooms, which are grown on pasteurized substrates. If you do wash them, brush off any debris first, then place them in a colander and run them under water. If you don't wash them, simply brush off any foreign bits. Next, slice the mushrooms thinly. If they are small and grouped together at the base, cut off the base to break them apart.

Once the mushrooms are prepared, heat some oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Vegetable oil, peanut oil, or sesame oil are all good options. Add the mushrooms and stir-fry until they begin to soften and release their moisture. This should take around 2 to 3 minutes. If you are adding other vegetables to the stir-fry, such as celery, onion, or garlic, you can add them at this point and cook until they are slightly tender, which should take around 3 to 5 minutes.

Continue to cook the mushrooms until they are slightly browned and crispy. This should take another 3 to 5 minutes. If the mushrooms are sticking to the pan, add more oil as needed. If you are making crispy mushroom stir-fry bowls, remove the mushrooms from the pan at this point and set them aside.

Once the mushrooms are cooked to your desired level of doneness, add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. If you are making crispy mushroom stir-fry bowls, return the mushrooms to the pan and toss with the sauce. Serve the stir-fry immediately.

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Adding seasoning and flavour

The key to a tasty stir-fried mushroom dish is in the seasoning and flavouring. The good news is that mushrooms are versatile and can be cooked in many ways and with a variety of seasonings and flavourings.

Firstly, you can use a variety of mushrooms, and this in itself will add flavour. You can use standard supermarket button mushrooms, or a medley of mushrooms such as shiitake, oyster, enoki, beech, and maitake. Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, are known for their meaty texture and earthy flavour.

You can also add onions, garlic, and ginger to your mushrooms. To do this, heat some vegetable oil in a pan or wok and add the onions. Season with salt and pepper and cook until softened. Then add the mushrooms and stir-fry until they begin to soften and release their moisture. Next, add the garlic, ginger, and chilli garlic sauce and cook for a further minute.

You can also add fish sauce, soy sauce, or liquid aminos to give the dish an extra kick of flavour. For a vegan alternative, coat the mushrooms in cornstarch before frying, and add some sesame oil to the other vegetables for an extra depth of flavour.

Finally, you can serve your stir-fried mushrooms with steamed rice or rice noodles, and top with sesame seeds, furikake, or chopped scallions.

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Serving suggestions

Stir-fried mushrooms can be served as a side, snack, or as a topping or filling for soups and wraps. They can also be served as a topping for brown rice congee.

For an Indian-style mushroom stir-fry, serve with chapatis, parathas, or any bread. You can also use it as a stuffing in sandwiches, wraps, and rolls.

If you're making a saucy mushroom stir-fry, serve it over steamed rice or rice noodles topped with sesame seeds, furikake, and green onions. It also works with a variety of herbs, including basil, parsley, or chives.

For a vegan crispy mushroom stir-fry, serve over rice with green onion and lime wedges.

For a more filling meal, you can pair stir-fried mushrooms with other things. For example, they go great inside spring rolls with dandelion greens.

Frequently asked questions

You can wash the mushrooms, but it's not necessary. If you do wash them, pat them dry before cooking. Slice the mushrooms thinly, or cut off the base to break them into smaller pieces if they're grouped together.

You can use a variety of mushrooms, such as shiitake, beech, enoki, oyster, trumpet, or white button mushrooms.

You can add garlic, ginger, green onions, fish sauce or soy sauce, celery, onion, bell peppers, and spices like turmeric and coriander powder.

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