Refreshing Vegan Shiitake and Cucumber Salad Recipe

Vegan shiitake and cucumber salad is a refreshing, easy-to-make, and nutritious dish. The combination of delicious shiitake mushrooms, crisp and sweet cucumbers, and a harmonious sweet and sour dressing makes this salad perfect not only for vegetarian days but also as a refreshing alternative for family meals.

Ingredients Needed

To make vegan shiitake and cucumber salad, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Dried shiitake mushrooms: 50g
• Cucumbers: 2 (about 300g)
• Small carrot: 1
• Roasted peanuts: 50g
• Vietnamese coriander, cilantro
• Fresh chili, garlic
• Vegetarian fish sauce, sugar, fresh lime
• Salt, pepper

Ingredients for Vegan Shiitake and Cucumber Salad

Steps to Follow

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

• Soak shiitake mushrooms in warm water for about 20 minutes until soft, then rinse and remove the stems. Slice into bite-sized strips.
• Rinse cucumbers, remove the seeds, and slice into 5cm long strips.
• Peel, rinse, and julienne the carrot.
• Rinse and finely chop Vietnamese coriander and cilantro.
• Slice the chili and mince the garlic.

Step 2: Cook the Shiitake Mushrooms

• Boil a pot of water, add shiitake mushrooms, and cook for about 5 minutes. Drain and let cool.
• Marinate the mushrooms with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper for 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Step 3: Prepare the Salad Dressing

Mix the following ingredients in a bowl:

• 3 tablespoons of vegetarian fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of lime juice
• 1 tablespoon of water
• Minced garlic and sliced chili

Step 4: Mix the Salad

• Place cucumbers, carrots, and shiitake mushrooms in a large bowl.
• Gradually pour the dressing over the salad and gently mix.
• Add the finely chopped Vietnamese coriander and cilantro.
• Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Step 5: Finish and Present

• Arrange the salad on a plate.
• Sprinkle crushed roasted peanuts on top.
• Garnish with a few slices of chili and cilantro.

Finished Vegan Shiitake and Cucumber Salad

Tips and Notes

• Choose dried shiitake mushrooms with an even brown color and a distinctive aroma.
• Avoid soaking mushrooms for too long to maintain their crispness.
• Adjust the sweetness and sourness of the dressing to taste.
• Serve the salad on the same day to ensure the vegetables remain crisp.

Conclusion

Vegan shiitake and cucumber salad is a simple yet flavorful and nutritious dish. With an easy preparation process and readily available ingredients, you can confidently make this at home. Try it out and share your results with us!

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