Shiitake Shakedown Recipes

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.

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!

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.