How to Use King Oyster Mushrooms in Your Everyday Cooking

The king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii), also known as the king trumpet mushroom, is an edible mushroom. It is the biggest mushroom in the Pleurotus genus or oyster mushroom family. King oyster mushrooms, native to the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East, feature a thick white stipe and brown top. This mushroom is a popular ingredient for numerous Asian dishes, particularly in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cuisine. King oyster mushrooms are parasitic and grow on the roots of plants.

Like shiitake mushrooms, king oyster mushrooms have a neutral flavor when raw, but they have a savory and umami flavor with a meaty texture when cooked. King oyster mushrooms make for a tasty appetizer or side dish and a great meat substitute for vegetarians and vegans.

King oyster mushrooms are easy to find in Asian grocery stores. Follow these tips for storing and preparing king oyster mushrooms:

• Store: You can store king oyster mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator to allow them to respire.
• Cut: King oyster mushrooms are large, with edible white stems. First, cut off the tough end of the stem, then cut the king oyster mushrooms into long slices lengthwise, or cut rounds from the stems upwards.
• Shred: You can also shred king oyster mushrooms with a fork.

King oyster mushrooms are versatile fungi. Consider the following king oyster mushroom recipes:

• Stir-fry: King oyster mushrooms can be stir-fried over medium-high heat with soy sauce, black pepper, garlic cloves, rice wine, miso, and other flavorings to create a vegetarian stir-fry. First, brown the mushrooms over high heat to give them a smoky flavor, then add the sauce. Top with scallions and sesame seeds, and serve with rice.
• Grill: You can season king oyster mushrooms with kosher salt and black pepper, then grill or pan-fry them with olive oil and unsalted butter until charred. You can cut the mushrooms into large rounds to make a vegan scallop dish.
• Pull: You can shred king oyster mushrooms with a fork, then char on the stovetop. When combined with bbq sauce, king oyster mushrooms can substitute pulled pork.
• Fry: Bread the king oyster mushrooms in flour and then fry until crispy and golden brown. Fried king oyster mushrooms can substitute for fried chicken.
• Braise: King oyster mushrooms can withstand a long cook time, so braise them in a pot to create a stew, such as mushroom bourguignon or a vegetarian bolognese sauce.

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