Sweet and Sour Braised Oyster Mushrooms: Easy and Delicious

Sweet and sour braised oyster mushrooms are a familiar dish in Vietnamese family meals. With a harmonious blend of sour, sweet, salty, and aromatic flavors from various spices, this dish is not only easy to make but also nutritious. Let’s explore the detailed recipe to prepare the perfect sweet and sour braised oyster mushrooms.

Ingredients Needed

To make sweet and sour braised oyster mushrooms, you will need the following ingredients:

• 500g fresh oyster mushrooms
• 2 shallots
• 3 cloves of garlic
• Fresh chili (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• Cooking oil
• Green onions and cilantro (for garnish)

Fresh oyster mushrooms on a cutting board

Steps to Follow

1. Preparing the Oyster Mushrooms

Cut off the tough base of the oyster mushrooms, and gently rinse them under running water to avoid damaging them. Let them drain. If the mushrooms are large, you can tear them into bite-sized pieces. Be careful not to soak the mushrooms for too long as they can absorb water, making the dish less flavorful.

2. Preparing Other Ingredients

Peel and finely chop the shallots and garlic. Rinse the fresh chili, remove the seeds, and slice thinly if you like it spicy. Rinse and finely chop the green onions and cilantro for garnish.

3. Sautéing Shallots and Garlic

Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan. Sauté the chopped shallots and garlic until fragrant. If you want to add more heat, you can also sauté the chili with them.

Sautéing shallots and garlic in a pan

4. Braising the Mushrooms

Add the oyster mushrooms to the pan and stir well to coat them with the flavors. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Stir well to ensure the flavors meld and penetrate the mushrooms.

5. Finishing the Dish

Braise the mushrooms over low heat for about 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the mushrooms evenly. Turn off the heat, and sprinkle green onions and cilantro on top for a colorful and flavorful touch.

Tips for the Best Sweet and Sour Braised Oyster Mushrooms

• Choose fresh mushrooms: Fresh oyster mushrooms are usually bright white, firm, and undamaged.
• Don’t braise too long: Mushrooms can become mushy if braised for too long, so control the cooking time to maintain their crispness.
• Enhance the aesthetics: Add a bit of caramel or chili sauce to make the dish more visually appealing.
• Adjust the seasoning: Modify the amounts of sugar, vinegar, and fish sauce to suit your family’s taste.

Finished sweet and sour braised oyster mushrooms in a bowl

What to Serve with Sweet and Sour Braised Oyster Mushrooms?

Sweet and sour braised oyster mushrooms can be paired flexibly with various dishes such as white rice, fresh noodles, or bread. The distinctive sweet and sour flavor of the dish stimulates the taste buds, offering an enjoyable culinary experience.

“Sweet and sour braised oyster mushrooms are a simple yet delicious dish that goes well with rice. The secret to a tasty dish lies in choosing fresh mushrooms and balancing the flavors.” – Culinary expert Nguyen Thi Huong.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to store this dish?
   You can store sweet and sour braised oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator for about 2-3 days. Reheat before serving to ensure the best flavor.
2. Can I substitute vinegar with another ingredient?
   Yes, you can use lemon juice or tamarind paste to create a natural sour flavor.
3. Can I make a vegetarian version from this recipe?
   Absolutely! Just replace the fish sauce with soy sauce or salt to suit a vegetarian diet.

According to nutritionist Le Van Thanh: “Oyster mushrooms are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them very beneficial for health. They are an excellent choice for both meat and vegetarian dishes.”

Conclusion

Sweet and sour braised oyster mushrooms are a simple yet nutritious dish, perfect for any family meal. With the detailed instructions above, you can easily prepare this dish at home. Give it a try and share your feedback!

References:

• Vietnamese Culinary Guide
• Nutritionist Le Van Thanh