Mushroom Tofu Fried Brown Rice

the mushrooms #1
Originally uploaded by tamjpn.

Mmmm, mmmm, mushrooms. I swoon for funghi! Give me a generous serving of mushrooms sauteed in just a touch of butter, and I am good to go.

As of late, I've taken a break from red meat, and am delving back to the semi-vegetarian state I embraced in the 90's. I hopped over to Rainbow Market for some staples, and happened upon a beautiful package of plump oyster mushrooms. With a potful of cooked brown rice, and pouring rain outside, I decide to put the mushrooms to work and cook up some mushroom fried rice.

I've discovered brown rice makes extra delicious fried rice, as the outer covering toasts up nicely, and you don't have to use much oil since the starch is contained within (less sticking). I came up with this recipe through trial an error, and further simplifying the ingredients. This dish would be great for breakfast with soft scrambled eggs, or served as a simple dinner with a bowl of miso soup.


Mushroom & Tofu Fried Brown Rice

ingredients
4 cups room temp or cold leftover brown rice cooked
2 Tbs mild cooking oil
4 oz cubed firm tofu (drained)
2 cloves of garlic sliced
4 scallions chopped (green & white part)
1 generous pat of butter
1-2 cups of sliced mushrooms (cremini or oyster preferred)
1 fresh green chili (serrano or jalepeno) chopped (seeds removed for milder heat)
1 tsp. Korean salted shrimp
salt or soy sauce to taste
drizzle of toasted sesame oil
garnish (optional): radish sprouts or shredded nori

utensils
wok or large heavy saute pan
wide wooden spoon (bamboo rice spoon preferred)

preparation
- Heat pan on high till it starts to smoke.
- Add cooked brown rice. Toast for 2-3 minutes. Push to sides of pan.
- Create a middle clearing and add 1 Tbs oil & cubed tofu. Saute for 1 minute, till tofu browns slightly.
- Add remaining Tbs oil, garlic, scallions and mushrooms. Saute together for 2 minutes, till garlic browns and softens.
- Add butter, salted shrimp and chopped chilis. Saute for 2 minutes till chili is sweated through.
- Taste, and add salt if needed or soy sauce, if needed
- Saute for about 1-2 minutes more.
- Turn off heat, and add a light drizzle of toasted sesame oil for flavor.
- Serve with garnishes (optional)

Enjoy!