Stir-Fried Oyster Mushrooms

Courtesy of http://www.godsdirectcontact.org

Yields 4 servings
Preparation time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 big oyster mushrooms* (soaked in water for 1 hour, diced)
  
• 3 Tablespoons minced lemongrass (or 1 Tablespoon thinly shredded ginger)
  
• 1 big sweet onion, finely chopped
  
• 3 dried black fungus* (soaked in water for 1 hour, diced)
  
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  
• 3 cups textured vegetable protein (TVP) beef slices*

Garnishes:

• ¾ cup crushed roasted peanuts
  
• 20 stems of rice paddy herb*, washed and finely chopped (or 1 cup chopped cilantro)
  
• Roasted black sesame crackers*
  
• Black pepper, and lime (optional)

Seasonings to cook Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) "Beef" slices:

• 2 Tablespoons mushroom (vegetarian) oyster sauce*
  
• 1 ¾ cups or about 14 oz. vegetable broth

Seasonings:

• ½ cup coconut milk
  
• 3 Tablespoons Indian curry paste* (or 1 Tablespoon curry powder* and 2 Tablespoons olive oil, stir in a heated pan for 1 minute, set aside)
  
• ½ teaspoon sugar
  
• Pinch of salt (to taste)

* These ingredients can be purchased in an Asian market.

Directions:

1. Place a pan on the stove. Using medium heat, add the TVP beef slices, mushroom sauce, and vegetable broth. Cook the TVP beef slices until soft; remove from heat, and dice. Set aside.
   
2. Preheat the olive oil in the same pan and stir-fry the chopped onion and the minced lemongrass (or shredded ginger) until fragrant.
   
3. Add in the oyster mushrooms, the black fungus, and the TVP beef slices. Stir well.
   
4. Finally add in the seasonings and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes. Season to taste and turn off the heat. Remove from heat. Sprinkle the chopped rice paddy herb (or cilantro), then remove the pan from the heat for a fresh green color.

Decoration: * Put the stir-fried oyster mushrooms on a big plate and sprinkle with crushed toasted peanuts. When serving, put small amount into a bowl and sprinkle with black pepper and limejuice (optional). Serve with roasted sesame crackers along with non-alcoholic beer for a truly flavorful dining experience.