Wood Ear Mushrooms Recipe

Stir-fried Pork with Green Peppers and Wood Ear Mushrooms is a classic Chinese dish that combines tender pork slices, crisp green bell peppers, and chewy wood ear mushrooms. This dish is a wonderful example of how simple ingredients can be transformed into a delicious and flavorful meal. The contrasting textures and harmonious flavors make it a favorite in many households.

4 Reviews
4 Comments
POSTED:26/07/2024
Level:Easy
Yield:2-3 servings
Total:27 min
(includes chilling time)
Active:15 min

To ensure that your dish turns out perfectly, here are a few tips and techniques to keep in mind:


1.Rehydrating Wood Ear Mushrooms

Choosing the Container: Use a larger container because wood ear mushrooms expand as they absorb water.

Soaking Time: Soak in cold water for at least 2 hours until the mushrooms are fully rehydrated and softened.

Using Warm Water: If short on time, you can use warm water to rehydrate the mushrooms, but ensure the water temperature does not exceed 104°F (40°C) to avoid affecting the texture.


2.Preparing the Meat

Cutting Technique: Slice the meat against the grain to ensure it remains tender after cooking.

Using Cornstarch Slurry: Adding a cornstarch slurry during marinating helps keep the meat tender and reduces the likelihood of sticking during cooking.


3.Preparing the Green Peppers

Choosing Peppers: Select green peppers based on your taste preference; spicy varieties can be used for a kick.

Slice Size: Cut the green peppers into pieces similar in size to the meat to ensure even cooking.


4.Preparing Additional Ingredients

Ginger and Scallions: Adjust the amount of ginger and scallions according to your taste preferences.


5.Preparing Cornstarch Slurry

Mixing Ratio: Mix water and cornstarch in a 3:1 ratio. Combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water in a bowl and stir until the cornstarch is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.


6.Cooking Process

Heat Control: Stir-fry the meat quickly to keep it tender and avoid overcooking.


7.Final Steps

Quick Stir-Frying: Ensure you quickly stir-fry the final ingredients to achieve even heat distribution and proper color.

Immediate Serving: Serve the dish immediately after cooking to prevent overcooking and preserve the desired texture.


This recipe showcases the beauty of Chinese cooking, turning simple ingredients into a delightful dish with a balance of textures and flavors. Whether you're new to Chinese cuisine or a seasoned cook, this dish is sure to impress.

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

  • 15 grams (0.5 ounces) dried wood ear mushrooms, soaked and cleaned
  • 200 grams (7 ounces) pork, sliced thin
  • 200 grams (7 ounces) green bell peppers, cut into chunks

ACCESSORIES

  • 2 scallions (white part only), cut into sections
  • 1 small piece of ginger, sliced
  • 1 small dish of chopped chili peppers (optional)

SEASONINGS

  • 1 cup cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water)
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Oil for cooking

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Prepare the Ingredients:

Cut 200 grams (7 ounces) of green bell peppers into chunks.

Cut 2 scallions (white part only) into sections.

Slice 1 small piece of ginger.

Soak and clean 0.5 ounces (15 grams) of dried wood ear mushrooms in advance.

Prepare ingredients: cut bell peppers, scallions; slice ginger; soak wood ear mushrooms.

STEP 2

Marinate the Pork:

Slice 200 grams (7 ounces) of pork thinly and place it in a bowl.

Pour in 1 cup of cornstarch slurry and mix well. Let it marinate for 10 minutes.

Marinate thinly sliced pork in cornstarch slurry for 10 minutes.

STEP 3

Prepare the Peppers:

Heat a flat-bottomed pan or a wok over low heat. Add the green pepper chunks and roast them slowly until their skins wrinkle and they turn slightly golden. Set them aside.

Roast green pepper chunks in a pan until wrinkled and golden.

STEP 4

Cook the Pork:

In the same pan, add enough oil and heat it to medium-high (about 350°F or 175°C).

Add the marinated pork slices and stir-fry until they change color.

Cook marinated pork slices in hot oil until color changes.

STEP 5

Add Aromatics and Chili:

Add the scallion sections and ginger slices to the pan. Stir-fry until fragrant.

If using, add the chopped chili peppers and stir-fry until they combine well with the pork.

Add aromatics and chili by frying scallions, ginger, and chili peppers with pork.

STEP 6

Add Wood Ear Mushrooms:

Add the soaked wood ear mushrooms to the pan. Stir-fry until evenly mixed.

Add soaked wood ear mushrooms to the pan and stir-fry until mixed.

STEP 7

Season the Dish:

Pour in 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir-fry to combine and adjust the seasoning to taste.

Season dish with light soy sauce and salt, adjust seasoning to taste.

STEP 8

Combine Ingredients:

Finally, add the roasted green peppers back into the pan. Stir-fry for a few more minutes until everything is well mixed and the flavors are absorbed.

Combine roasted green peppers with other ingredients in pan; stir-fry until well mixed.

STEP 9

Serve:

Transfer to a serving plate and enjoy!

Serve: Transfer to plate and enjoy!

Recipe analyzer

  • Recipes: Wood Ear Mushrooms Recipe
  • Main Ingredients:6
  • Servings per recipe:1
  • Servings size:487 g
Nutritional Summary of Recipe
Amount per 462 g= 1 serving(s)
  • Energy (calories):562 kcal
    27%
  • Protein:57.6 g
    107%
  • Fat:22.78 g Why gray?
    47%
  • Carbohydrates:34.87 g
    16%
Calorie breakdown
  • Protein: 42%
    235 kcal
  • Fat: 36%
    205 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 22%
    124 kcal
The chart shows the percentage of calories intake (energy) coming from the respective macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates).
Omega 6 : Omega 3
1:1
20:1
22:1
Both fatty acids are essential, but nowadays the majority of western diets include excessive amounts of Omega 6 acid.

The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.

4 REVIEWS

Review
Your rating:
CulinaryCrazeHubOctober 09, 2024

The flavor is rich, and the aroma from the sesame oil adds a lot to the dish!
TasteTriumphFanSeptember 24, 2024

This recipe is fantastic! The texture of the wood ear mushrooms is excellent, and the combination with other ingredients is perfect.
SizzleScoopSeptember 10, 2024

I don’t have wood ear mushrooms. Can I use other mushrooms instead?
reply:
September 13, 2024
You can use other types of mushrooms, like shiitake or oyster mushrooms, but the texture will be different from wood ear mushrooms.
WilliamJuly 29, 2024

What do you do with the fungus that starts popping right out of the pan?
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