Wood ear mushrooms, also called tree ears or black fungus because of its dark ear-like shape, is an edible mushroom often used in Chinese cuisine, and a popular ingredient in many Asian dishes.
This mushroom is known for its crisp texture and its ability to absorb flavors. By itself the wood ear mushroom doesn't have much flavor, but because the mushroom has many folds, it is good at catching the sauces it is mixed with.
Wood ears are a classic ingredient in hot and sour soup, as well as in Chinese stir-fries and mu shu pork. They are also great in stews and hot pot, added to scrambled eggs or Asian noodle and rice dishes.
These small mushrooms are also praised for their healing properties and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years.
Usage:
The dried wood ears must be rehydrated before use, as follows:
First gently rinse the mushrooms and then soak them in warm water for about 30 minutes, or until the mushroom is soft, pliable and has grown three to four times in size.
Drain the soaked mushrooms, and then be sure to remove the tough parts of the mushroom.
Once the wood ear mushrooms are rehydrated and trimmed, they can be treated like fresh mushrooms, although they should not be eaten raw.
Keep the mushroom whole or chop it into strips, depending on its size and what's on the menu.
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