Stewed Chinese Black Mushrooms.

Total Time: 4 hrs 35 mins Preparation Time: 4 hrs Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 20 dried chinese black mushrooms (shiitake mushrooms)
• 1 tablespoon cornflour
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon oil
• 1 tablespoon cornflour, extra
• 2 -4 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar, extra
• 2 tablespoons oil, extra
• ginger, crushed

Recipe

• 1 soak the mushrooms in room temperatured water, just enough to cover. leave for a few hours. if you're in a rush, you can try to use boiling water, but this usually ends up in really soggy mushrooms.
• 2 once tender, drain the mushrooms and reserve the liquid in a bowl. put mushrooms in a colander, toss in cornflour and rinse. squeeze the mushrooms over the bowl of reserved liquid and arrange in a single layer in another dish.
• 3 toss in extra cornflour, sugar and oil. steam for 15 minutes. after 15 minutes, switch off the gas and leave for 5 minutes, keeping the lid on.
• 4 heat oil in a wok or casserole. once hot, add ginger, then mushrooms. top with reserved liquid, oyster sauce and pepper powder. stir thoroughly, cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes. taste sauce. if it lacks flavour, add some more oyster sauce.
• 5 they taste good fresh, but even better after a few days.
• 6 enjoy :).