Gochujang King Oyster MushroomsOk 

Do you like  mushrooms or oyster mushrooms? Make this simple and easy dish!

If you’ve never tried oyster mushrooms (king oyster mushroom), you’re missing out on a true delight for your palate! Oyster mushrooms are easily recognizable by their thick, cylindrical white stems and small brown caps. They almost look painted because of how beautiful they are, and you can easily find them in all Asian supermarkets, usually in a sealed transparent bag. I prefer to buy them organic, especially from Korea or Japan. Although these mushrooms don’t have much flavor or aroma when eaten raw, they easily absorb seasonings and maintain a firm and chewy texture when sautéed or cooked. Additionally, unlike other types of mushrooms, the large stem is the main edible part, making them uniquely distinctive.

These oyster mushrooms, also known as spicy king mushrooms with the Korean flavor of Gochujang sauce, make the perfect vegetable side dish or a meat substitute due to their texture. They don’t absorb as much water as other mushrooms, making them a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans. You can serve these mushrooms over rice, noodles, salad, or even wrap them in tacos! I hope you enjoy preparing this delightful protein-free dinner or lunch.

Serving Size:

4

Time:

30

Difficulty:

low

Ingredients

• 2 cups oyster mushrooms (king mushrooms or any other substitute)
• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari soy sauce)
• 2 tablespoons Mirin (or rice vinegar)
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (optional)
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped shallots (or onions)
• 1 tablespoon chopped ginger
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1 teaspoon Gochujang (or Korean chili paste)
• 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
• Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)

Directions

1. Cut the mushrooms into 1/4-inch thick diagonal pieces. If using extra-large oyster mushrooms, halve them before slicing into thin pieces.
2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. In a pan with 2 tablespoons of oil, brown the mushrooms on both sides. Remove them from the pan when golden brown (do this in batches to avoid excess liquid).
4. In the same pan, add sesame oil and sauté shallots, peppers, garlic, and ginger.
5. Once everything is golden, add the remaining ingredients for the sauce.
6. Return the mushrooms to the pan, evenly coat them with the sauce, and cook for an additional minute for perfect caramelization.
7. Serve over steamed white rice for a vegan or vegetarian version. Alternatively, try the easy fried rice recipe I’m sharing with you.

Sam’s Style Fried Rice

Ingredients:

– Y cups of white rice (can be leftover from the previous day)

– 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil

– 2 well-beaten eggs

– 1 tablespoon soy sauce

– Chopped green onions (as much as you like)

– 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds.