Wood Ear Mushroom Stir Fry with Shrimp and Eggs

Wood Ear Mushroom Stir Fry with Shrimp and Eggs 黑木耳虾仁炒蛋 is an easy way to cook up some wood ear mushrooms! In a stir fry the wood ear mushroom is crunchy and the texture goes great with stir fried shrimp and eggs!

Jump to:

• What is wood ear mushroom?
• How to prepare wood ear mushrooms
• How to cook Wood Ear Mushroom Stir Fry with Shrimp and Eggs (Step by Step)
• Storage and Reheating
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Wood Ear Mushroom Stir Fry with Shrimp and Eggs Recipe
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By the way if you are a fan of shrimp and eggs 虾仁炒蛋, definitely check out Stir fry shrimp and eggs with basil recipe!

What is wood ear mushroom?

Wood ear mushroom, aka heimuer, black wood ear, 黑木耳, is a type of mushroom (so many types of mushrooms!) or fungus that is used in many Asian cuisine.

Linguistically, 黑 is the Chinese character for black, pronounced 'hei', 木 is the Chinese character for wood, pronounced 'mu', and 耳 is the Chinese character for ear, pronounced 'er'.

This mushroom is used in many types of dishes include hot and sour soup, and sometimes is also used in Chinese traditional medicine as it is known for nourishing blood and Qi, lungs, and has been used to lower blood pressure.

Wood ear mushrooms actually do not have a lot of flavor by itself - it is somewhat earthy and mild, however, it's used in various cooking as it can soak up flavors of other things it's cooked with. The texture can be either crunchy or soft depending on how long you cook it.

If you're looking for more Wood Ear Mushroom recipes to try - check out my Wood Ear Mushroom salad here!

How to prepare wood ear mushrooms

Before cooking with wood ear mushrooms, you will need to soak wood ear mushrooms in hot water for at least 15 minutes to soften it. It's ideal to soak them longer, you can soak them over night.

Rinse the mushrooms under the sink and rinse to clean. Then you can cut it however your recipe calls for.

For this recipe - we will be cutting them 1-2 inch length.

How to cook Wood Ear Mushroom Stir Fry with Shrimp and Eggs (Step by Step)

First, gather your ingredients:

• ½ lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoons michiu / rice cooking wine
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 stalk green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoon vegetable oil (separated)
• 1 cup wood ear mushrooms, soaked and drained, cut about 1-2 inch length
• Salt, as desired

In a bowl, mix shrimp with cornstarch, rice cooking wine, and ½ teaspoon salt. Let it sit for 15 mins.

Rinse wood ear in the sink, and soak in hot water for at least 15 minutes.

Beat eggs in a bowl and mix the chopped green onions in.

Heat skillet in medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. When oil is hot, add shrimp and stir fry at high heat for 30 seconds or until they start turning color.

Add beaten eggs in to cooking pan. Let it sit for a minute or until the bottom solidifies, and then start to scramble it with the shrimp.

Stir fry until the shrimps are almost cooked thoroughly. Remove from heat and set aside.

Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil in to the pan and then add the wood ear, and stir fry for about 2-3 minutes.

Add the stir fry shrimp and eggs back in to pan, and cook for about another minute until shrimp is cooked thoroughly. Salt to taste.

Remove from heat and serve!

Storage and Reheating

Allow the stir fry to cool before storing. Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. Because shrimp can overcook easily, reheat gently.

• Stovetop: Add a splash of water or broth to a pan and stir fry on low heat until warmed through.
• Microwave: Reheat in short 20-30 second intervals, stirring in between to prevent rubbery shrimp and dry eggs.

This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but careful reheating will help maintain its texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use dried wood ear mushrooms?
Yes - in fact, most people buy them dried. Just soak them in hot water for 15-20 minutes before cooking.

Can I substitute the shrimp?
Definitely. This stir fry also works well with chicken, pork, or even tofu for a vegetarian option.

Do wood ear mushrooms have a flavor?
Wood ear mushrooms are very mild in taste but have a wonderfully crunchy texture that pairs well with shrimp and eggs.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which prevents proper stir frying.

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