Shiitake Chicken Bowl Recipes

VELVETED CHICKEN STIR-FRY WITH SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS AND BOK CHOY

Steps:

• For the velveted chicken: Place the chicken in a medium bowl. Add the cornstarch, baking soda, oil, 2 teaspoons of water and a pinch of salt and stir into the chicken until well incorporated. Let marinate at room temperature while you do the knife work for the vegetables. Or cover the chicken and let marinate in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• For the stir-fry: When ready to cook, bring about 4 inches water to a boil in a 4- to 6-quart saucepan over high heat. Add the marinated chicken, stirring gently and constantly for about 2 minutes. The chicken will start out pink, turn opaque and white, then float to the top. Remove to a plate with a slotted spoon or spider and reserve until it's time to stir-fry. You can also hold the pre-cooked chicken for a few days in the refrigerator.
• Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Swirl in the oil then immediately stir in the garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring constantly, about 30 seconds. Stir in the mushrooms. The mushrooms will sear then start to release their moisture. Cook, stirring every 20 seconds, until the mushrooms look soft and almost ready to eat, about 2 minutes.
• Add the baby bok choy and bell peppers and stir-fry until they just start to soften and pick up some color, about 30 seconds.
• Add the chicken, scallions, oyster sauce, mushroom soy sauce, chicken powder and scallions and work all the sauces into the stir-fry, about 30 seconds. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Give the dish a light dusting with white pepper right before serving.

CHICKEN BREASTS WITH SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
• Heat the oil in a heavy skillet and add the chicken breasts, the mushrooms and the onions. Cook about 5 minutes over medium heat or until lightly browned. Turn the pieces and cook 5 minutes more, shaking the pan and turning the mushrooms and onions so they brown evenly. Remove chicken breasts, and keep them warm. Pour off fat from the pan.
• Add the rosemary and shallots and cook briefly, until wilted. Add the wine and cook, stirring and scraping to dissolve the brown particles that cling to the skillet.
• When the wine is almost reduced by half, blend in the chicken broth. Continue cooking and when the sauce is reduced by half, stir in the butter. Remove pan from stove immediately. Pour sauce over chicken, sprinkle with the parsley and serve.