Chinese Shiitake Mushroom Stuffing Food

MANDARIN RICE STUFFING WITH CHESTNUTS AND SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Use the tip of a sharp paring knife to cut an X on the flat side of each chestnut. Put the chestnuts in a plastic container and put in the freezer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Put the chestnuts on a jelly roll pan or baking dish, cut side up, and roast 20 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and allow chestnuts to cool until warm to the touch. Remove the shell and peel the chestnuts. Roasted chestnuts will keep in the refrigerator in a covered container for 2 to 3 days.
• Place pecans in an empty wok and stir-fry for 2 minutes over medium heat until the nuts are golden. The pecans can be roasted several days ahead.
• In a 2-quart saucepan, bring the broth to a boil over high heat. Add the rice and return to a full boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the liquid is absorbed, about 40 minutes. Turn off the heat and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff the rice, cover, and allow it to completely cool before refrigerating. Makes about 4 cups.
• Combine the soy sauce and sesame oil in a cup. Combine the salt and pepper in a small dish.
• Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two when added to the pan. Swirl in 2 tablespoons of the peanut oil by adding it to the sides of the pan and swirling the pan, then add the ginger and garlic using a metal spatula to stir-fry no more than 10 seconds, until the ginger and garlic are fragrant. Add the mushrooms and bell peppers and stir-fry for 30 seconds, until all the oil is absorbed. Swirl in the remaining 1 tablespoon peanut oil, add the rice, and stir-fry for 1 minute, breaking up the rice with the spatula. Swirl in the soy sauce mixture, sprinkle with the salt mixture, and stir-fry for 1 minute, until well combined. Add the chestnuts, pecans and cilantro, and stir-fry for 1 minute, until heated through. Stir in the scallions.

STUFFED SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Wash and destem mushrooms (save stems and chop stems up small).
• Saute mushroom caps in butter, then remove from heat.
• In a small pot, saute onions and mushroom stems until slightly carmelized.
• Add corn and ginger and cook for another minute or so.
• Add rice and small amount of water so that it is easy to mix, then add miso, shoyu, mirin, and rice vinegar and drizzle some sesame oil in as well.
• Cook until everything comes together, then remove from heat and add the egg.
• In a well greased baking pan or baking sheet, place the sauteed mushroom caps, gills side up and spoon rice mixture inches.
• Bake for 15 minutes or until rice mixture is slightly crunchy.
• While you wait, mix mayo with a bit of sriracha to taste.
• When you remove the mushrooms from the oven, spoon a dollop of mayonaise mixture on top and squeeze lemon juice over it.
• Serve with picked daikon and mixed greens.