Best Shiitake Shakedown Recipes

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.

SHIITAKE SHAKEDOWN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Use a damp paper towel to wash the tops of your mushrooms. (mushrooms are like sponges, you don't want to wash them in water because they will become watery and tasteless).
• Remove any large stems. (shiitake stems are sort of woody and tougher than the caps).
• Slice the mushrooms and place on a cookie baking sheet.
• Pour the olive oil over the slices and toss to coat with a spatula.
• Sprinkle the shrooms with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Give the cookie sheet a shake to spread all the shrooms out flat.
• Roast in the oven for 10 minutes.
• Remove the mushrooms immediately from the baking sheet with a spatula.
• Enjoy on a sandwich or any way you want!

GARLIC SAUTEED SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Combine butter and garlic in saute pan. Heat until butter is melted and garlic starts to sizzle, about 30 seconds. Do not let garlic brown.
• Add mushrooms and saute 3 to 4 minutes, turning until lightly browned. Season to taste with salt and pepper, sprinkle with parsley and serve.