🍲I. Ingredients List
Here are the ingredients needed to make 2 servings of Wood Ear Mushroom Stir-Fry with Chinese Yam:
| Ingredient | Quantity (for 2 servings) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese Yam | 200-250 g | Iron rod yam (铁棍山药) is recommended for its dense, creamy texture. |
| Dried Wood Ear Mushrooms | 10 g | When rehydrated, yields about 100 g. |
| Carrot | 50 g (about half a medium carrot) | Sliced for color. |
| Green Bell Pepper | 15 g | Cut into diamond shapes or strips. |
| Red Bell Pepper | 15 g | Cut into diamond shapes or strips. |
| Garlic | 3 cloves | Minced or sliced. |
| Scallion (Green Onion) | 5 g | Cut into sections or minced. |
| Vegetable Oil | As needed | For stir-frying. |
👩🍳 II.Cooking Process
Preparation Stage (about 15 minutes)
- 1.Prepare Wood Ear Mushrooms: Soak the dried wood ear mushrooms in warm water (30-40°C / 86-104°F) for 30 minutes until rehydrated. Tear into small pieces, about 2-3 cm. Rinse twice in clean water to remove any impurities or grit from the roots. For a deeper clean, add two tablespoons of starch to the warm water and stir; this helps remove fine sediment.
- 2.Prepare Yam: Wear gloves to peel the yam (to prevent skin irritation from the mucilage). Slice into thin pieces, about 3 mm thick. Immediately place the sliced yam in a bowl of water mixed with a little white vinegar (ratio 1:10 vinegar to water) or lightly salted water to prevent oxidation and discoloration.
- 3.Prepare Other Vegetables: Wash the carrot and slice it into thin diamond-shaped or half-moon pieces. Deseed the green and red bell peppers and cut them into diamond shapes or strips. Mince the garlic and chop the scallion.
Cooking Stage (about 10 minutes)
- 1.Blanching: Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. You can add a pinch of salt and a few drops of vegetable oil (this helps the vegetables retain their vibrant color). First, blanch the wood ear mushrooms and carrot slices for 30 seconds. Then add the yam slices and blanch for 1-2 minutes. Drain and rinse briefly with cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain thoroughly. Blanching helps maintain a crisp texture and reduces stir-frying time.
- 2.Aromatics: Heat the wok or pan over medium heat. Add oil. Once the oil is hot, add the scallion and garlic. Stir-fry briefly until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- 3.Stir-frying: Increase the heat to high. Add the blanched yam, wood ear mushrooms, carrot, and bell peppers. Stir-fry quickly and vigorously for 1-2 minutes.
- 4.Seasoning: Add light soy sauce, salt, sugar, chicken powder (if using), and other seasonings (see exact measurements in the Seasoning Ratio table below). Stir-fry over high heat to combine evenly. A small splash of water can be added to prevent sticking and help dissolve the seasonings.
- 5.Thickening (Optional): If desired, mix 5 g of starch with a little water to create a slurry. Pour it into the center of the wok while stirring quickly. The sauce should thicken slightly and coat the ingredients.
- 6.Finishing: Drizzle with a little sesame oil for extra aroma. Give everything a final quick stir, then turn off the heat and transfer to a serving plate.
⚠️ Cooking Tips
• 🧤 Prevent Irritation: Always wear gloves when handling raw yam. If the mucilage contacts your skin and causes itching, apply vinegar or rub with a ginger slice to relieve it.
• ⚡ Prevent Oxidation: Soak sliced yam immediately in lightly salted water, vinegar water, or water with a few drops of lemon juice to effectively prevent it from turning black.
• 🔥 Control Heat: Use high heat and stir-fry quickly to maintain the crisp texture of the yam and mushrooms. Avoid overcooking, which can make the yam mushy and watery.
• 🎨 Colorful Presentation: Adding carrots and bell peppers enhances the visual appeal of the dish and makes it more appetizing.
