Chinese Mu-Err Mushrooms?!
Chinese Mu-Err Mushrooms?
I just bought a package of Mu-Err (Jelly Fungus /Wood Ear) dried mushrooms.
I am used to the fragrant taste of Shii-Ta-Ke (donggu).
But those Mu-err have a slight "moldy" odor, even after soaking. Optically they look perfect, the package as well.
I did not dare cooking them since it smelled a bit suspicious.
Can any one Chinese tell me whether or not it is normal and disappears when cooking?
Answers: There are two type of Mu-Er. the white ones and the black ones.
Which type are u using? I like Mu-Er coz it is milder than donggu.
There are some ways you can cook :
White fungus
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1) cook with parts of chicken in chicken brooth, with carrots, onions and sliced button mushooms
2) (dessert) cook with sugar, dried logans, and bruised screwpines,. in a pot of water. Remove screwpines when serving.
Black fungus
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1) stir-fried it with some garlics, cabbage, carrots, and string beans noodle. Add some chicken brooth and some pepper for taste
It will not disappear when cooking. Wood Ear Mushrooms look like ears growing out of trees, hence the name. When reconstituted, the tan interior blends with the black exterior to create a dark brown uniform mushroom. Wood Ears have a firm, thick skin with a slightly crunchy texture and earthy flavor. Very popular in Asian cuisine, they are often served in soups and in pork recipes, although they can be used with most meats.
Being dried they should be OK but if you don't fancy the smell of them throw them in the bin and don't buy them again. we eat it with PANCIT.... it doesnt taste funky despite the odor... it'll slightly absorb the sauce of the dish...it adds texture to the dish...i tried smelling them before soaking and cooking... not a good idea.. but we like it.... it's normal and it's fungus, not a mushroom like shitake.. just wash it well, cook it in black bean and garlic sauce with chicken..yummy..ocut it halves first..
Just massage bean sauce into chicken add ginger and the fungus, cover, leave on medium low for 45 minutes..eat with rice..it's so good!