Vegan Shiitake Bacon Bits

Here's a nice easy one that sure is useful. Who would have thought that shiitake mushrooms could be so useful? When prepared in this way, the taste is so similar to bacon its scary. These pieces are good in soups, or as a topping on hamburgers, baked potatoes, breakfast meals, or wherever  'bacon' or 'bacon bits' are desired.

Ingredients:
- 2 cups sliced shiitake mushroom (if using dried, soak in boiling water for 15 minutes)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 3 tbs soy sauce
- oil of your choice for frying
- additional sesame oil for frying

Method:

Mix together your sesame oil, paprika, black pepper, and soy sauce in a large bowl. Next add your shiitake in the bowl and mix well.

Allow to marinate for 30 mins or longer. The longer you leave it, the more the flavour develops.

 

Heat a fry pan with a small amount of frying oil and add a couple of drops of sesame oil. Once hot, add in the shiitake, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. It may have to be done in a few batches. Fry on a medium heat for about 10 minutes before mixing and turning them over. Once they are browned, transfer the shiitake from the pan to some absorbent paper to drain. 

 

 

You will notice that the pieces will turn crispy upon standing. Hopefully these tasty bits make it as far as whatever you planned to use them for as they're addictive to eat, even on their own! I advise you make extra :)

xoxo cody