Shiitake ‘Bacon’ BLT
Shiitake mushrooms are incredibly versatile to cook, and eat. We enjoy them on anything from pizza, to rice and pasta dishes, and in soups and stews. I was introduced to Shiitake ‘Bacon’ at Blanchards Restaurant, on the island of Anguilla. Their cuisine is absolutely delicious and the idea of a mushroom ‘bacon’ came full circle after I began farming mushrooms. I’ve tried many versions of this recipe before landing on the this one (see below).
Shiitake ‘Bacon’ BLT’s are one of our family’s favorite summer meals, with the mushrooms cooked on the grill and topped with seasonal vegetables between two slices of fresh bread.
Start with fresh shiitake mushrooms.
Our farm grows mushrooms outdoors on logs. The height of the our season is in the summer months (July & August) which makes them a perfect pair with tomato season.
Shiitake ‘Bacon’ Recipe
Half pound shiitake mushrooms
Mushroom Marinade:
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ tablespoon maple syrup
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon salt
BLT Toppings:
tomato, lettuce, sliced bread, mayonnaise, (optional) cucumber
Remove stems from mushrooms. Dry brush mushrooms to clean (a clean, unused toothbrush works great for cleaning mushrooms!). Slice the mushroom caps to 1/4” - 1/2” thickness and set aside.
Combine all ingredients for the marinade and drizzle over sliced mushrooms. Mix thoroughly to combine and set aside for 15-30 minutes. Pre-heat the grill or oven to 400 degrees.
Use a grill pan or aluminum pan. If you prefer, these can be roasted in an oven by lining a baking sheet with parchment.
Arrange mushrooms in a single layer on the prepared pan.
For the oven, roast for 20-25 minutes, until mushrooms begin to crisp. Be sure to check them periodically and flip them halfway through.
For the grill, periodically stir every 10 minutes so they don’t stick. Cooking time is 30 – 40 minutes, until the murhsooms are brown and start to crisp.
Tip:
Mushrooms will decrease in size significantly and become glazed. Look for crispy edges and a firm texture to determine when they are done. If you prefer a crispier ‘bacon’ - simply cook them longer.
Prepare BLT toppings:
Slice fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, clean lettuce, and toast slices of fresh bread.
Spread the mayonnaise on each slice of toast and layer vegetables on top.
Enjoy!