CHINESE BLACK MUSHROOMS RECIPES

Steps:

• Soak the mushrooms in room temperatured water, just enough to cover. Leave for a few hours. If you're in a rush, you can try to use boiling water, but this usually ends up in really soggy mushrooms.
• Once tender, drain the mushrooms and reserve the liquid in a bowl. Put mushrooms in a colander, toss in cornflour and rinse. Squeeze the mushrooms over the bowl of reserved liquid and arrange in a single layer in another dish.
• Toss in extra cornflour, sugar and oil. Steam for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, switch off the gas and leave for 5 minutes, keeping the lid on.
• Heat oil in a wok or casserole. Once hot, add ginger, then mushrooms. Top with reserved liquid, oyster sauce and pepper powder. Stir thoroughly, cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Taste sauce. If it lacks flavour, add some more oyster sauce.
• They taste good fresh, but even better after a few days.
• Enjoy :).

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.