Best Stewed Chinese Black Mushrooms Recipes

STIR-FRIED CHICKEN, BLACK MUSHROOMS, BAMBOO SHOOTS AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Preparation "A": Place the shitake/black mushrooms in a bowl and fill to the top with medium-hot water; Use a dish to cover in order to keep the mushrooms submerged in the water; soak for 30 minutes (turn after 15 minutes); Next drain and squeeze excess water from mushrooms; Then cut away the stem and cut each mushroom in half; Set aside.
• Preparation "B": Place chicken pieces in a bowl, add 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 2 teaspoons red vinegar and 1 tablespoon oil...stir; Set aside.
• Preparation "C": In a cup add 1/3 stock, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon wine, 1/4 teaspoon sugar...stir; set aside.
• Preparation "D": Dissolve in a cup 2 tablespoons stock and 1 tablespoon cornstarch, stir; Set aside.
• Preparation "E": Cut up bamboo shoots into bite size pieces; set aside.
• In a wok add 2 tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 2 cloves chopped garlic, stir-fry for 30 seconds; Next add the chopped spinach; Stir-fry for about 3+ minutes until al dente; Drain, squeeze out some of the liquid from the spinach; Place on a serving plate and keep warm.
• In a wok add 2 tablespoons oil, 1 chopped garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds; Then add the chicken pieces; Stir-fry for about 3-5 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked but not overcooked (stir often); Add cashews, stir briefly, then remove to a bowl and set aside.
• In a clean wok add 2 tablespoons oil, then 1 tablespoon chopped ginger and stir-fry 30 seconds; Next add the shitake mushrooms and stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes (add a little stock if needed); Next add the bamboo shoots and stir-fry another minute; Add Preparation "C" soy sauce and oyster sauce liquid, stir occasionally and cook for about 2-3 minutes.
• Stir Preparation "D" cornstarch and stock once again and add a small amount "As Required" (not all) until you have a thick coating on the mushrooms & bamboo shoots (That is, not a liquid sauce).
• Add the cooked chicken pieces & cashews and blend together for about 1 minute.
• Add 1 tablespoon sesame oil and then one quick stir.
• Place the chicken, mushrooms and bamboo shoots on top of the bed of spinach.
• Serve with sticky white rice, Chinese tea and fortune cookies.
• Note:.
• I prefer to use a non-sweet oyster flavored sauce, such as Hop Sing Lung Brand; However, most brands contain sugar (often second ingredient listed on bottle) which is perfectly acceptable.

CHINESE BRAISED STEW WITH BLACK MUSHROOMS AND FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Heat wok add coat with oil. Heat until it smokes add 1 lbs beef and brown over high heat to a deep brown in color and place into a stock pot. Repeat this until all 4 pounds is gone. Add water into the wok and heat over heat for 5 minutes and pour into the stockpot. Add in ginger, brown bean, curd cakes, star anise, onion powder, salt and pour in the wine and soy sauce. Cover with water above the meat mixture and bring to a boil and after 5 minutes go by reduce the heat to a medium low and simmer for 3 hours and add mushrooms and simmer until the meat is tender. Add in the fried tofu cube and return the mixture to a rolling boil and reduce the heat back to a simmer for 15 minutes.