Jerk Oyster Mushrooms (Vegan)
Althea Stevens, Council District 16:
Claremont, Concourse, Concourse Village, Highbridge, Morris Heights, Mount Eden, Morrisania
This dish is special to me, as it served as a great substitute during the time when I wasn’t eating meat. The delicious flavor helped me satisfy my taste buds and continue on a healthier diet. Jerk Oyster Mushrooms can be enjoyed as a snack, in a sandwich, or as a side dish with rice and beans. They have a wonderful blend of jerk seasoning and a crispy, flavorful coating.
Ingredients
1 pound oyster mushrooms, cleaned and trimmed
1 jar of your favorite jerk seasoning
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon vegan chicken seasoning (optional, for extra flavor)
Hot pepper (cayenne pepper or pepper flakes), to taste
Just Egg (or any vegan egg substitute of your choice)
All-purpose flour
Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetable oil, for frying
Directions
Clean and trim the oyster mushrooms, removing any tough stems. You can leave them whole or tear them into smaller, bite-sized pieces, depending on your preference.
In a mixing bowl, combine the oyster mushrooms with your favorite jerk seasoning. The amount of jerk seasoning you use will depend on your desired level of spiciness and flavor. Be generous with the seasoning to get that authentic jerk flavor.
Add minced garlic, vegan chicken seasoning (if using), and hot pepper (cayenne or pepper flakes) to the mushrooms.
Mix everything well to ensure the mushrooms are evenly coated.
Let marinate for at least 15-30 minutes to soak in the flavors.
In a separate bowl, whisk some Just Egg (or your chosen vegan egg substitute) in one bowl.
Place all-purpose flour in another bowl.
Season the flour with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Next, heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan or pot over medium-high heat.
Take each marinated oyster mushroom and dip it first into the Just Egg (to create a wet coating) and then into the seasoned flour (to create a dry coating). Make sure the mushrooms are coated evenly with flour.
Once the oil is hot (around 350°F or 175°C), carefully place the coated oyster mushrooms in the hot oil.
Fry until the oyster mushrooms are golden brown and crispy (about 3-5 minutes). You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your pan.
Once the mushrooms are crispy and golden, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Serve your Vegan Jerk Oyster Mushrooms hot! You can enjoy them as a snack, in a sandwich, or as a side dish with rice and beans. They will have a wonderful blend of jerk seasoning and a crispy, flavorful coating.