Vegetarian
Sweet Soy Mushrooms
An original salty-sweet with a mild vinegar lift Mushrooms recipe adapted for Filipino ingredients, family portions and an ordinary home stove.
This original Sarap Recipe version of Sweet Soy Mushrooms is designed for a regular Filipino family kitchen. It uses sweet soy and garlic to make a salty-sweet with a mild vinegar lift dish that works well with steamed rice.
Ingredients
- 600 g oyster mushrooms or button mushrooms, torn or sliced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cane vinegar
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- Black pepper and salt, only as needed
How to cook it
- Wipe the mushrooms clean and keep the pieces fairly large.
- Measure and prepare every sauce ingredient before heating the pan. This keeps the aromatics from burning while you work.
- Cook the garlic briefly. Mix soy sauce, sugar, vinegar and water, then pour the mixture into the pan.
- Cook over medium-high heat until their released liquid has mostly evaporated.
- Reduce over medium heat until shiny and lightly syrupy, turning the main ingredient to coat it evenly.
- Taste the finished dish with rice before adjusting salt, soy sauce or fish sauce. Rest for 3 minutes before serving.
Why this method works
Preparing the sauce first gives the seasoning time to dissolve and prevents rushed measuring over a hot pan. Cooking the main ingredient separately from the final reduction protects its texture, while gradual seasoning accounts for differences between brands of soy sauce, patis and oyster sauce.
- Use a wide pan so moisture can evaporate instead of making the dish watery.
- For a less salty result, start with only three-fourths of the soy sauce or fish sauce and adjust at the end.
- Cool leftovers within two hours, refrigerate in a covered container and reheat until steaming.
How to serve
Serve hot with steamed rice. A side of sliced cucumber, tomatoes or blanched leafy vegetables balances the rich sauce. Offer calamansi and chili separately so each person can adjust the flavor.
Original recipe prepared for Sarap Recipe readers. Cooking time varies with ingredient size, cookware and stove heat.
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