Crispy Shiitakes Recipes

CRISPY SHIITAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss mushrooms with oil and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, spread in an even layer, and roast, flipping once or twice, until crispy and golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Let cool completely on sheet. Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days.

CRISPY ROASTED SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Place mushroom caps on a baking sheet, gill-side up. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, turn mushrooms, and drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper and toss to coat.
• Transfer to oven and roast for 25 minutes. Turn mushrooms and continue to roast until larger mushrooms are crisp on the edges and smaller ones are crisp throughout, 10 to 15 minutes more. Season with more salt; serve warm or at room temperature.

CRISPY SMOKED SHIITAKES

Steps:

• Stem the shiitake mushrooms (you can save the stems for stock or another use), then thinly slice the caps into thin strips on a mandolin or by hand. The slices should be no more than 1/8-inch thick.
• Pour the oil to a depth of 1/2 inch in cast-iron skillet (or other frying pan) and heat over medium-high to a temperature of 350 degrees. (To test the temperature, add a mushroom slice to the oil. When the temperature is right, bubbles will dance around the mushroom slice.)
• Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, fry the shiitake slices until golden and crisp, stirring with a slotted spoon, about 3 minutes. Transfer the fried shiitakes to paper towel-lined plate to drain, repeating until all the mushrooms are cooked. Let the fried shiitakes cool to room temperature.
• Smoke the fried shiitake slices in a grill or outdoor smoker, or using stovetop or handheld smoker. To smoke the shiitakes on a grill, set it up for indirect grilling and heat to medium (350 degrees). Add wood chips or chunks to the coals and hot smoke the bacon long enough to apply a discernible smoke flavor, 5 to 8 minutes.
• If using an outdoor smoker, set it up following the manufacturer's instructions and heat to 250 degrees. Add wood as specified by the manufacturer. Arrange the shiitake slices on a wire rack or in a grill basket, transfer to the smoker and smoke long enough to apply a discernible smoke flavor, 20 to 30 minutes.
• To smoke the shiitakes using a stovetop or handheld smoker, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Let the smoked shiitakes cool to room temperature, season with sea salt then store in an airtight container until serving. They taste best the same day they're smoked.

CRISPY TOFU IN SHIITAKE BROTH

Steps:

• Stir 1/4 cup soy sauce and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Cut tofu into 1/2"-thick slabs and then into squares. Pat dry with paper towels. Add tofu and toss to coat. Let sit, tossing occasionally, 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, remove green tops from scallions and very thinly slice; set aside. Coarsely chop white parts and place in a medium pot. Add mushrooms, kombu, ginger, garlic, and 8 cups water and bring to a simmer over medium-high. Reduce heat to low and cook 10 minutes. Remove from heat; discard kombu. Let dashi sit 20 minutes (this will coax more flavor from aromatics), then fish out and discard scallions, mushrooms, ginger, and garlic.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet, preferably nonstick, over medium-high. Cook tofu, working in batches if needed, until golden brown and crisp around edges, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain; season with salt.
• While tofu is cooking, bring dashi to a boil. Add bok choy and carrots and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Add remaining 2 Tbsp. soy sauce; taste and season with more salt if needed.
• Ladle soup into bowls and add tofu, radishes, and reserved scallion tops; drizzle with sesame oil.
• Do Ahead
• Dashi can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill, or freeze up to 3 months.