Braised Shiitake with Lemongrass & Chili: Delicious Vegan Dish

Braised shiitake mushrooms with lemongrass and chili is not only an appealing vegetarian dish but also highly nutritious. With its rich flavor and fragrant aroma of lemongrass and chili, this dish is sure to captivate you. Join “Cookbook Handbook” to discover how to make braised shiitake mushrooms with lemongrass and chili to enrich your family meals.

Ingredients

To make braised shiitake mushrooms with lemongrass and chili for 4 people, you will need to prepare the following ingredients:

• Fresh Shiitake mushrooms: 175 gr
• Lemongrass: 6 stalks
• Horn chili: 1 fruit
• Green onions: 2 stalks
• Soy sauce: 3 tablespoons
• Vegetarian seasoning powder: 1 teaspoon
• Chili sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Salt/sugar: A small amount

Ingredients for Braised Shiitake Mushrooms with Lemongrass and Chili

How to Choose Fresh Shiitake Mushrooms

When buying fresh shiitake mushrooms, you should pay attention to the following points to select good quality mushrooms:

• Choose mushrooms with fresh color and a characteristic aroma; avoid bruised mushrooms or those with a foul odor. A milky white discharge from a cut is a sign of poisonous mushrooms. Avoid mushrooms with dark spots or wrinkles on the cap, and do not choose slimy mushrooms. Fresh mushrooms will have a thin, paper-like veil.
• Select mushrooms with firm stems and uniform color. If the mushrooms are open, the gills on the cap should be evenly arranged, clean, and dry.
• When choosing fresh shiitake mushrooms, opt for those with medium-sized, tightly closed caps with a slightly yellowish-brown color. If the mushrooms are dark brown, it’s best not to buy them, as they might be poisonous.

How to Make Braised Shiitake Mushrooms with Lemongrass and Chili

Prepare and Fry Mushrooms

After purchasing fresh shiitake mushrooms, use a knife to scrape clean the base of the stems, then soak the mushrooms in diluted saltwater for 15 minutes.

Next, after soaking, rinse them thoroughly with cold water. While rinsing, gently squeeze the mushrooms to release all the water, then place them in a colander to drain.

Heat a pan on the stove with cooking oil. Once hot, add a crushed and cut stalk of lemongrass to sauté until fragrant, then add the prepared mushrooms and deep-fry until they turn golden. Remove them and place them on a sieve to drain excess oil.

Tip: Frying the mushrooms before braising will make them more fragrant and chewier.

Preparing and Frying Shiitake Mushrooms

Prepare and Fry Lemongrass

Wash the lemongrass, then thinly slice it and continue to finely mince it.

Tips:

• It’s better to buy whole lemongrass and mince it yourself for fresher and more aromatic results.
• The thinner you slice the lemongrass, the easier and faster it will be to mince.

Using the same oil from frying the mushrooms, reheat the pan, then add the minced lemongrass and fry until it turns slightly golden. Turn off the heat and strain through a sieve to collect the fried lemongrass.

Wash the green onions and chop them, making sure to separate the white parts (roots) from the green leaves. Wash the chili, remove the seeds, and finely mince it.

Preparing and Frying Lemongrass

Make the Braising Sauce

You can use the same pan where you fried the lemongrass. Add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and 1 tablespoon of the fried lemongrass, then heat.

Next, add the chopped white parts of the green onions and sauté over low heat until fragrant.

Once fragrant, turn off the heat, then add 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of vegetarian seasoning powder, 1 tablespoon of chili sauce, and 3 tablespoons of water to the pan. Turn on the heat and stir well over low heat until the seasonings are completely dissolved.

Making the Braising Sauce for Shiitake Mushrooms

Braise the Mushrooms

Add the fried mushrooms to the pan with the braising sauce and braise evenly over low heat. When the sauce begins to thicken, add most of the fried lemongrass, stirring well. Remember to save a little for garnish!

When the sauce has thickened, add the minced horn chili, chopped green onion leaves, and the remaining fried lemongrass to the pan, then turn off the heat. The dish is complete.

Braising Shiitake Mushrooms with Lemongrass and Chili

Finished Dish

The braised shiitake mushrooms with lemongrass and chili are incredibly fragrant, chewy, and the natural sweetness of the mushrooms blends perfectly with the rich braising sauce. It’s absolutely amazing with white rice!

Finished Braised Shiitake Mushrooms with Lemongrass and Chili

Conclusion

Braised shiitake mushrooms with lemongrass and chili is not only easy to make but also very delicious and nutritious. With the detailed instructions above, you can confidently cook this dish for your family. Try it now and experience the difference of this appealing vegetarian meal. We wish you success and delicious meals!

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