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Dou Dou (豆豆)

Vegan Kung Pao Mushrooms

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Sichuan

Ingredients
  

Kung Pao Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar (镇江香醋) Chinkiang vinegar — the sour backbone
  • 1 tbsp Sugar (白糖) Balances the vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Light soy sauce (生抽) Seasoning and umami
  • 1 tsp Shaoxing wine (绍兴酒) Adds aroma; dry sherry works in a pinch
  • 1 tsp Dark soy sauce (老抽) For deep glossy color
  • 2 tsp Cornstarch (玉米淀粉) Plus 1 tbsp water to make a slurry
Stir-Fry
  • 3 large King oyster mushrooms (杏鲍菇) Cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup (40g) Raw peanuts (生花生) Toasted dry first; go in last
  • 1 stalk Chinese leek / da cong (大葱) Cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 thumb Ginger (姜) Sliced
  • 4 cloves Garlic (蒜) Sliced
  • 12 pieces Dried red chilies (干辣椒) Snipped into 1-inch pieces; 10-15
  • 1 tbsp Sichuan peppercorns (花椒) The numbing 麻 element
  • 2 tbsp Neutral oil (植物油) Peanut, canola, or rice bran oil
  • Steamed jasmine rice (米饭) To serve

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl, combine the black vinegar, sugar, light soy, Shaoxing wine, and dark soy. Stir in the cornstarch slurry until smooth and set aside — stir again right before pouring.
  2. Place the raw peanuts in a dry pan over medium-low heat. Toast for about 5 minutes, tossing often, until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove and set aside.
  3. Heat the oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the Sichuan peppercorns, then the dried chilies, and sauté for about 15 seconds until deeply fragrant — do not let them blacken.
  4. Turn the heat to high. Add the king oyster mushrooms and stir-fry for 1 minute to sear the edges. Add the garlic, ginger, and leek; cook 1–2 minutes more until tender but still bouncy.
  5. Give the sauce one last stir and pour it in. Keep stirring until it thickens and coats everything in a shiny, clingy glaze.
  6. Add the toasted peanuts last, toss quickly to combine, and serve immediately with steamed rice.

Notes

King oyster mushroom is essential — soft mushrooms release water and lose the meaty bite. Keep the heat high while searing, and add the peanuts off the flame so they stay crisp.