As Promised

Slow Cooked Shiitakes

20 dried shiitake mushrooms
3 Tbs. vegetable oil
2 Tbs. Soy Sauce
1 ½ Tbs. superfine sugar - also called Caster
1 Tbs. toasted sesame oil

Soak the mushrooms overnight in cold water. Next day: measure and set aside a ½ cup of the mushroom liquid. Drain the mushrooms and remove the stems. Heat a wok or something big then add the oil. When it’s hot stir fry the mushrooms over high heat for about five minutes. Lower the heat and add the mushroom liquid, the soy sauce and the sugar. Stir it in then cook slowly until the liquid is practically gone. Add the sesame oil and take the pan off the stove. When things cool down use as many as you need. Make thin slices and serve as is. They make a delicious side dish. They also make a good addition to other dishes including rice sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. And…they keep for several weeks covered in the fridge so the convenience is great.