Wood Ear Mushroom Salad

Wood Ear Mushroom Salad is a refreshing and nutritious dish that combines the unique texture of wood ear mushrooms with fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing. This salad is perfect as a side dish or a light main course and offers a delightful crunch with every bite. In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of this dish, why you’ll love it, the key ingredients, and tips for making it your own.

Table of Contents

• About Wood Ear Mushrooms
• Why You’ll Love Wood Ear Mushroom Salad
• What Is In Wood Ear Mushroom Salad?
• Key Ingredients
• How To Make This Recipe
• Have It Your Way!
• Nutritional Facts
• Other Recipes You’ll Love
• Wood Ear Mushroom Salad Recipe

About Wood Ear Mushrooms

Wood ear mushrooms, also known as black fungus or cloud ear mushrooms, have been a staple in Asian cuisine for centuries. They are commonly used in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean dishes for their unique texture and ability to absorb flavors. These mushrooms grow on decaying wood and are named for their ear-like shape.

In traditional Chinese medicine, wood ear mushrooms are prized for their supposed health benefits, including improving circulation and boosting immunity. They are also believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and are a good source of fiber and protein.

Wood ear mushroom salad is a popular dish in various Asian cuisines, often served as an appetizer or side dish. The salad typically includes wood ear mushrooms, fresh vegetables, and a light, tangy dressing made from soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil.

Why You’ll Love Wood Ear Mushroom Salad

• Unique Texture: The crunchy and slightly chewy texture of wood ear mushrooms is a delightful contrast to the crisp vegetables.
• Healthy and Nutritious: This salad is packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a healthy choice.
• Versatile: You can customize the salad with your favorite vegetables and dressing variations.
• Quick and Easy: It’s simple to prepare and can be made in advance, making it perfect for busy days.

What Is In Wood Ear Mushroom Salad?

This refreshing salad includes a harmonious blend of ingredients that come together to create a symphony of flavors and textures:

• Wood Ear Mushrooms: Provide a unique, crunchy texture and earthy flavor.
• Cucumber: Adds a refreshing crunch and mild sweetness.
• Carrots: Offer a vibrant color and natural sweetness.
• Red Bell Pepper: Adds a crisp texture and slight sweetness.
• Green Onions: Provide a mild, savory flavor.
• Cilantro: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note.
• Sesame Seeds: Offer a nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
• Dressing: A mix of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a touch of sugar.

Key Ingredients

• Wood Ear Mushrooms: The star of the dish, known for their crunchy texture.
• Cucumber: Provides a refreshing contrast to the mushrooms.
• Carrots: Add color and natural sweetness.
• Red Bell Pepper: Contributes crunch and slight sweetness.
• Green Onions: Enhance the salad with a mild onion flavor.
• Cilantro: Adds freshness and an herbal note.
• Sesame Seeds: For added texture and nuttiness.
• Dressing: Made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar for a balanced flavor.

How To Make This Recipe

1. Soak dried Wood Ear Mushrooms for 30 minutes in warm water. We are skipping this as we are using fresh Wood Ear Mushrooms.

2. Bring a pot of water to boil, and prepare an ice bath on the side.

3. Boil the Wood Ear mushrooms for 5 minutes

4. Drain the mushrooms, and place them in an ice bath.

5. Pat dry the mushrooms and place them in a large bowl.

6. Add the Green Onions, Long Red Hot Pepper, the salad dressing, and gently toss to combine.

7. Plate and garnish with sesame seed additional Green Onions if desired.

8. Enjoy as is or with a side of rice or tofu.

Have It Your Way!

Customize your Wood Ear Mushroom Salad with these creative adaptations:

• Add Protein: Include tofu, edamame, or chickpeas for added protein.
• Spice It Up: Add sliced chili peppers or a dash of chili oil for some heat.
• Mix Up the Veggies: Try adding other vegetables like radishes, snap peas, or baby spinach.
• Different Dressing: Experiment with different dressings, such as a spicy peanut dressing or a citrus vinaigrette.

Nutritional Facts

Wood Ear Mushroom Salad is a nutritious dish, offering a range of health benefits:

• Low in Calories: A light and healthy option.
• High in Fiber: Promotes digestive health.
• Rich in Vitamins: Packed with vitamins A and C from the vegetables.
• Antioxidant-Rich: Wood ear mushrooms contain antioxidants that support cellular health.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

• Crispy Air Fried Orange Tofu
• Gochujang Tofu
• Black Pepper Tofu
• Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu
• Mango Sticky Rice

Wood Ear Mushroom Salad Recipe

Wood Ear Mushroom Salad

Berry Berry Life

Wood Ear Mushroom Salad is a refreshing and nutritious dish that combines the unique texture of wood ear mushrooms with fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing. This salad is perfect as a side dish or a light main course and offers a delightful crunch with every bite.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Asian, Chinese

Servings 2

Calories 50 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 8 Oz Wood Ear Mushrooms fresh or dried
• ½ Tsp Salt
• 1 Long Red Hot Pepper sliced
• 4 Green Onions julienned
• Sesame seeds optional garnish

Dressing:

• 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
• 1 Tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar
• 1.5 Tsp Sesame Oil
• 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
• 1 Tbsp Garlic minced
• 1 Birdsye or Thai Chili minced (optional)
• 1 Tbsp Water if needed

Instructions

 

• Soak dried Wood Ear Mushrooms for 30 minutes in warm water.
• Bring a pot of water to boil and add salt. Meanwhile prepare an ice bath on the side.
• Boil the Wood Ear mushrooms for 5 minutes
• Drain the mushrooms, and place them in an ice bath to cool completely.
• Pat dry the mushrooms and place them in a large salad bowl.
• Add the Green Onions, Long Red Hot Pepper, the salad dressing, and gently toss to combine.
• Plate and garnish with sesame seed additional Green Onions if desired.
• Enjoy as is or with a side of rice or tofu.

Notes

• Rehydrating Mushrooms: Ensure the mushrooms are fully rehydrated and rinsed to remove any grit.
• Cook The Mushroom: Do Not Eat raw mushrooms, cook them before eating.
• Vegetable Preparation: Thinly slice vegetables for a more cohesive texture and better flavor distribution.
• Advance Preparation: The salad can be made a few hours ahead and refrigerated, but add the dressing just before serving to keep the vegetables crisp.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. The mushrooms will continue to absorb the dressing, enhancing their flavor.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 100gCalories: 50kcal

Keyword Black Fungus, Chinese, Cold Salad, Mushroom, Mushroom Salad, Refreshing, Side Dish, Wood Ear

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