Spicy Enoki Mushroom Recipe

Spicy Enoki Mushrooms are a delightful vegan or vegetarian appetizer or side dish. Enoki mushrooms, also known as enokitake or Enokidake mushrooms, have a delicate texture and mild flavor that pairs perfectly with a bold and spicy sauce. This recipe uses gochujang, a Korean chili paste, to create a flavor explosion in your mouth. The entire dish comes together in under 20 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing party appetizer.

Ingredients

• 2 packs (10 oz total) enoki mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil (canola, vegetable, etc.)
• 1/4 cup water
• Sesame seeds and chopped scallions for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Prep the Enoki Mushrooms: Trim the root ends of the enoki mushrooms and separate them into smaller clusters. Rinse them gently under cold running water and pat them dry with paper towels.
2. Make the Spicy Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Set aside.
3. Cook the Enoki Mushrooms: Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the enoki mushrooms and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until they start to become golden brown.
4. Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared spicy sauce into the pan with the mushrooms. Stir well to coat the mushrooms evenly.
5. Simmer and Thicken: Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 3-4 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions (optional). Serve immediately with rice, noodles, or as a delicious appetizer.
7. Tips:
8. Adjust the amount of gochujang to your desired level of spiciness.
9. You can add other vegetables to this recipe, such as sliced bell peppers, onions, or carrots.
10. For a richer flavor, substitute vegetable broth for the water in the sauce.