🍽️ How to Make Hongyou Jinzhen Gu (Enoki Mushrooms in Chili Oil)

🧆 Ingredients

• 200g enoki mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons chili oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 thumb ginger (minced)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 green onions (chopped)
• Salt to taste

🍳 Steps

1. Clean and Prepare the Mushrooms: Gently trim the root base from the enoki mushrooms and separate them into smaller clusters. Rinse thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Pay special attention to the base, as it can sometimes trap soil. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

2. Blanch the Mushrooms: Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water. Add the enoki mushrooms and blanch for about 1 minute, just until they turn tender but still retain a slight crunch. Avoid overcooking, as enoki mushrooms can become mushy quickly. Immediately transfer the mushrooms to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and preserve their texture and color. Drain thoroughly.

3. Prepare the Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine chili oil, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, and salt. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is evenly mixed. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more chili oil for extra heat or more vinegar for brightness.

4. Combine Mushrooms and Sauce: Place the blanched and drained enoki mushrooms in a large bowl. Pour the prepared sauce over the mushrooms. Using clean hands or chopsticks, gently toss until all mushrooms are evenly coated with the sauce. Let the mushrooms marinate for at least 10 minutes in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld.

5. Garnish and Serve: Before serving, sprinkle chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the mushrooms. Serve the dish chilled as a refreshing appetizer. For best results, use fresh enoki mushrooms and serve within a few hours of preparation to maintain optimal texture.

Key Points:

• Always use fresh enoki mushrooms for the best flavor and texture.
• Proper cleaning is essential to remove any hidden dirt.
• Blanching time should be short to keep mushrooms tender yet crisp.
• Ice water bath helps preserve color and stops further cooking.
• Marinating enhances flavor absorption.
• Adjust chili oil and vinegar to your preferred spice and acidity levels.

💡 Tips

• Do not overcook enoki mushrooms to retain tenderness.
• Adjust chili oil for desired spice level.
• Serve as a cold appetizer.
• Use fresh mushrooms for best texture.