Emily Johnson
Shiitake mushrooms are a popular edible mushroom native to East Asia. They are versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, including pasta, stir-fries, and rice-based meals. When cooked, they have a strong mushroom taste and smell, and go well with ingredients like garlic, butter, soy sauce, and ginger. They can also be paired with fresh herbs like basil, which adds a bright, fresh flavor to the dish. One popular recipe that combines shiitake mushrooms and basil is Zesty Shiitake Mushroom Pasta, which features fettuccine noodles in a light cream-free mushroom sauce thickened with pasta water and parmesan cheese. Another recipe is Balsamic Mushrooms with Basil, a quick and easy vegan and gluten-free side dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of mushroom | White, cremini, shiitake, silver, lion's mane |
| Type of basil | Thai, fresh |
| Type of dish | Pasta, stir-fry, side dish |
| Ingredients | Garlic, lemon zest, parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, pepper, ginger, choy sum, carrot, bean sprouts, pumpkin, broth, cream, butter, soy sauce, oyster sauce, shallots, red chilis |
| Preparation time | 15 minutes |
| Special equipment | Cast iron skillet, stainless steel skillet, large skillet |
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What You'll Learn
Shiitake mushrooms with pasta
Shiitake mushrooms have an earthy flavour and meaty texture, making them a great vegetarian alternative to meat. They are versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from pasta to stir-fries and soups.
When making shiitake mushroom pasta, you can use fresh or dried shiitake mushrooms. If you opt for dried mushrooms, remember to soak and rehydrate them before use. Place them in a large bowl with warm water and let them rest for about 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
- Shiitake mushrooms (fresh or dried)
- Pasta of your choice (suggested types: fettuccine, linguine, farfalle, or rotini)
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Lemon (for zest and juice)
- Basil (fresh or dried)
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Crème fraîche (optional)
Instructions:
Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the water, as this will season the pasta. Follow the package instructions to cook the pasta until it is al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the shiitake mushrooms. If using fresh mushrooms, slice them thinly. If using dried mushrooms, follow the rehydration process mentioned above before slicing.
Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and garlic to the pan and sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are cooked through and golden brown.
Once the mushrooms are cooked, stir in the lemon zest and juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, along with a splash of the reserved pasta water, to create a light sauce.
Finally, toss in the freshly chopped basil and grated parmesan cheese. Mix well to combine all the flavours. Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil and parmesan cheese if desired.
Variations and Tips:
- For a vegan version, substitute the crème fraîche with a vegan alternative, such as creamy oat fraiche.
- If you want to add a twist of Japanese flavour, try adding a tablespoon of marmite or miso to the pasta for an umami boost.
- To enhance the earthiness of the shiitake mushrooms, consider using butter instead of olive oil when sautéing.
- Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the mushrooms, as this will prevent even browning. Cook them in batches if necessary.
- For a more indulgent dish, sprinkle freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano over the pasta before serving.
Shiitake mushroom pasta is a quick, tasty, and versatile dish that can be easily customised to your preferences. Enjoy experimenting with this recipe and exploring the wonderful flavours of shiitake mushrooms!
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Shiitake mushrooms with rice
Shiitake mushrooms have a rich depth of flavor and go well with rice. Here are some recipes and tips for making shiitake mushrooms with rice.
Shiitake Mushroom Fried Rice
Fried rice is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine and is perfect for using up leftover rice, protein, or vegetables. This recipe is versatile, and you can use any type of mushroom and vegetable.
To make shiitake mushroom fried rice, slice your shiitake mushrooms, mince some garlic, and chop some green onions, separating the white and green parts. In a bowl, mix day-old rice with a yolk to give it a golden-brown color. In a separate bowl, whisk some egg whites and set aside. In a wok or large frying pan, add a tablespoon or two of neutral oil, such as avocado oil, and saute the mushrooms with a little soy sauce and garlic. Cook for around 5-7 minutes, until the mushrooms are crispy in some parts.
Zesty Shiitake Mushroom Rice
This recipe is inspired by a zesty shiitake mushroom pasta dish. To make it with rice instead, simply replace the pasta with cooked rice and mix well. To make the zesty shiitake mushrooms, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and saute the mushrooms and garlic. Stir in lemon zest and juice, and season with salt and pepper. Toss with the cooked rice and garnish with basil and grated parmesan cheese.
Shiitake-Gohan
Shiitake-gohan is a Japanese dish similar to takikomi gohan, where rice is cooked with shiitake mushrooms and Japanese seasonings. To make this dish, soak the shiitake mushrooms in water for 30 minutes to an hour, then slice them and cook briefly in the reserved stock with sake, shoyu, and mirin. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear, then add the cooked shiitake, stock, and water according to the "white rice" level in your rice cooker. Cook using the "mixed" setting and fluff the rice before serving.
Tips
- You can use brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a healthier option.
- For a vegan dish, omit the eggs or use a vegan alternative like JustEgg.
- Add other vegetables like peas, carrots, or broccoli.
- Use chicken bouillon powder for extra flavor and to prevent the rice from becoming mushy.
- Use toasted sesame oil or regular sesame oil for an authentic Chinese flavor.
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Shiitake mushrooms with chicken
Shiitake mushrooms and chicken is a delicious combination that can be used in a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to braised dishes. Here are some ideas and recipes for creating tasty meals with these two ingredients:
Braised Shiitake Mushroom Chicken:
For this dish, you'll need chicken, shiitake mushrooms, shallots, ginger, oyster sauce, light and dark soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and spring onions. Start by cutting up the chicken, mushrooms, shallots, and ginger. Marinate the chicken and mushrooms in a sauce made with the oyster sauce, soy sauces, sesame oil, and cornstarch for at least 30 minutes. Sauté the shallots and ginger until fragrant, then add the marinated chicken and mushrooms. Cover and braise over medium heat for about 20 minutes. Garnish with spring onions and serve. The slow-cooking process ensures tender chicken and flavourful mushrooms.
Chicken Breasts with Shiitake Mushrooms:
This recipe involves cooking chicken breasts, shiitake mushrooms, and onions. Heat oil in a skillet and add the chicken, mushrooms, and onions. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side over medium heat until lightly browned. Remove the chicken and keep it warm. In the same pan, add rosemary and cook briefly, then pour in wine and scrape up any browned bits. When the wine has reduced by half, add chicken broth and continue cooking. Once the sauce has reduced, stir in butter and pour over the chicken. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Chicken Stir-Fry with Shiitake Mushrooms:
For a quick and easy stir-fry, you can use fresh or dried shiitake mushrooms. Rehydrating dried shiitake mushrooms creates a tasty broth that can be added to the stir-fry for extra flavour. Simply sauté the mushrooms with other vegetables like onions, garlic, ginger, carrots, and bean sprouts. Add your choice of meat, such as chicken, and season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Serve over rice or noodles.
Basil and Shiitake Mushrooms:
While most recipes focus on the combination of chicken and shiitake mushrooms, basil can be a wonderful addition to enhance the flavour and freshness of the dish. You can add basil to the stir-fry recipes mentioned above, or try a Zesty Shiitake Mushroom Pasta, which includes basil, garlic, lemon zest, parmesan cheese, and your choice of pasta. The basil adds a bright, fresh flavour to the dish.
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Shiitake mushrooms with garlic
Shiitake mushrooms have a strong but pleasant mushroom taste and smell. They are delicious when sautéed with garlic and can be served as a simple side or used as a topping for burgers, sandwiches, or pizzas. Here is a recipe for shiitake mushrooms with garlic that also includes butter, olive oil, and parsley. This recipe takes about 15 minutes to cook and serves one.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of shiitake mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed, and sliced
- Butter
- Olive oil
- White wine (optional)
- 2 large cloves of garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or other herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Once hot, add the shiitake mushrooms and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the mushrooms are golden brown.
- Add the garlic and white wine (if using). Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 additional minute. Do not let the garlic burn as it will give the dish a bitter taste.
- Season with salt and pepper and garnish with parsley or other herbs.
- Serve immediately.
Shiitake mushrooms also pair well with onion, ginger, chicken, pork, and root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots. For a one-pot rice cooker meal, you can combine shiitake mushrooms with chicken thighs, onions, and ginger. You can also try making zesty shiitake mushroom pasta by combining cooked fettuccine noodles with shiitake mushrooms, garlic, lemon zest, parmesan cheese, and basil.
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Shiitake mushrooms with basil
Shiitake mushrooms are a popular edible mushroom native to East Asia that naturally grow on decaying trees. They are a type of Chinese black mushroom or black forest mushroom, with a strong but pleasant mushroom taste and smell. They are frequently paired with vegetables such as spinach, bok choy, kale, and Swiss chard.
Shiitake mushrooms can be cooked in a variety of ways, including sautéing, pickling, stir-frying, and baking. Here are some specific recipes that feature shiitake mushrooms with basil:
Zesty Shiitake Mushroom Pasta
This recipe is a quick and easy Italian pasta dish that is perfect for a meatless meal. It features shiitake mushrooms in a nest of fettuccine noodles flavoured with garlic, parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and basil. The light cream-free mushroom sauce is thickened with pasta water and parmesan cheese instead of heavy cream. The freshness of the lemon and basil makes this a refreshing pasta dish.
Balsamic Mushrooms with Basil
This is another quick and easy vegan and gluten-free side dish that can be made in 15 minutes. It involves stir-frying shiitake mushrooms with balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, sriracha, brown sugar, garlic, and fresh basil. The basil adds an amazing aroma to the dish. This dish pairs well with rice or can be used to make bruschetta.
Steamed Buns and Ramen
Shiitake mushrooms can also be used in steamed buns and ramen for a punch of flavour. Pickled shiitake mushrooms can be added to a slow-simmered savoury tonkotsu ramen broth, while soy and vinegar-marinated shiitakes can be used in steamed buns.
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Frequently asked questions
Shiitake mushrooms are a popular edible mushroom native to East Asia that naturally grows on decaying trees. They are a tan, dark brown colour with caps between 2-4 inches in diameter.
Shiitake mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be paired with meat, vegetables, or other mushrooms. They are commonly used in stir-fries, soups, and pasta dishes.
Shiitake mushrooms can be sautéed, stir-fried, or grilled. When cooking shiitake mushrooms, it is important to use a pan that can retain heat, such as a cast-iron or stainless steel skillet. It is also important to stir the mushrooms frequently and not leave them unattended, as they tend to cook very quickly.
Yes, you can use dried basil instead of fresh basil when cooking with shiitake mushrooms. If you are substituting dried basil for fresh, use 1 ½ tablespoons of dried basil for each cup of fresh basil required.
