Moisture-Free Shiitake Mushroom and Radish Salad
Moisture-Free Shiitake Mushroom and Radish Salad
A Deliciously Moist ‘No-Water’ Shiitake Mushroom and Radish Salad Recipe, Perfect for Diets
Experience the charm of ‘no-water cooking,’ a method that maximizes the natural flavors and nutrients of ingredients! By cooking with minimal to no added water, relying solely on the moisture inherent in the ingredients, this technique significantly reduces nutrient loss and enhances flavor. This recipe features sweet radish and fragrant shiitake mushrooms stir-fried together to create a ‘No-Water Shiitake Mushroom and Radish Salad’ with a wonderfully moist texture and a deep, savory taste that intensifies with every bite. It’s an excellent choice for a healthy diet and a delightful side dish. For no-water cooking, it’s crucial to use a pot with excellent heat conductivity and a tightly fitting lid (such as a cast iron pot, Dutch oven, or a pot with 3 or more layers). A lid without a steam hole is ideal, as it helps trap moisture to cook the ingredients gently. Let’s get started on this healthy and flavorful dish!
Ingredients- 400g Radish
- 4 Shiitake mushrooms
- 1 Tbsp (Ts) Perilla oil
- 1/2 Tbsp (Ts) Minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp (Ts) Soy sauce
- 1 Pinch of Salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly wash the radish, peel it, and then julienne it into thin strips, about 0.5cm thick. Cutting it thinly, similar to noodles, will help it absorb the seasoning better and achieve a tender texture when cooked.
Step 2
For the fresh shiitake mushrooms, trim off the tough stem ends. Lightly rinse them under running water, and then julienne them into strips of similar length and thickness to the radish. The unique aroma of shiitake mushrooms will blend beautifully with the radish, creating a more profound flavor.
Step 3
Now for the key step in no-water cooking. First, arrange the julienned radish evenly at the bottom of the pot. Then, place the julienned shiitake mushrooms on top of the radish. This layering ensures that the moisture released from the radish as it cooks will gently steam and moisten the shiitake mushrooms.
Step 4
After arranging the ingredients in the pot, drizzle 1 tablespoon of flavorful perilla oil evenly over them. Then, cover the pot tightly with the lid and cook over very low heat for about 10 minutes. During this process, the natural moisture from the radish and mushrooms will be released, cooking the ingredients gently. Absolutely avoid using high heat at this stage!
Step 5
After 10 minutes, lift the lid. You should see that the ingredients have softened and released some moisture. Now, add 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1/2 tablespoon of soy sauce, and a pinch of salt. Increase the heat to medium-high and stir-fry quickly until all ingredients are well combined with the seasoning. Stir-frying over medium-high heat for just 1-2 minutes will evaporate excess moisture, concentrating the flavors and enhancing the taste. Be careful not to burn the ingredients while stir-frying.
