Oyster Mushroom "Calamari"

Description
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Ingredients

 * Kimpira
 * 2 tsp. sesame oil
 * 2 burdock roots, 12 to 16 inches long, peeled and sliced diagonally into thin, 2-inch-long sticks
 * 2 carrots, peeled and sliced diagonally into thin, 2-inch-long sticks
 * 1 tsp. minced ginger
 * 1 tsp. minced garlic
 * 2 tsp. organic sugar
 * 1 Tbs. tamari soy sauce
 * 2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds
 * Ketjap Manis
 * ½ cup organic sugar
 * 1 tsp. molasses
 * 1 star anise
 * 1 tsp. Szechuan pepper
 * ½ cup tamari soy sauce
 * Wasabi Cream
 * 1 Tbs. dried wasabi powder, reconstituted with enough water to form thick paste, plus more as needed
 * 2 oz. silken tofu
 * 2 tsp. rice vinegar
 * ¼ cup water
 * 2 Tbs. canola oil, optional
 * ½ tsp. salt
 * Oyster Mushroom "Calamari"
 * ½ cup rice flour
 * ½ cup corn flour
 * 4 Tbs. white sesame seeds
 * 1 Tbs. black sesame seeds
 * 2 tsp. Japanese or Korean chili powder or 1 ½ tsp. paprika plus ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
 * 1 ½ tsp. salt
 * 1 cup soymilk
 * 1 to 2 cups canola oil for frying
 * 16 oyster mushrooms
 * 4 Tbs. thinly sliced scallions, green parts only, or chives
 * 2 tsp. toasted white sesame seeds
 * 2 tsp. toasted black sesame seeds
 * 4 tsp. reconstituted seaweed for garnish, optional
 * ½ lime, quartered, for garnish

Directions
1. To make Kimpira: Heat oil in wok or skillet. Add burdock roots and carrots, and stir-fry 1 minute. Add ginger, garlic, sugar and tamari soy sauce, and cook until glaze forms. Remove from heat, and let cool. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, and set aside.

2. To make Ketjap Manis: Combine all ingredients in saucepan, and heat over medium-low heat, about 10 minutes, or until reduced by one-third. Strain out spices, and set aside.

3. To make Wasabi Cream: Combine all ingredients in blender, and process until smooth. Set aside.

4. To make Oyster Mushroom “Calamari”: Combine rice flour, corn flour, white and black sesame seeds, chili powder and salt in mixing bowl. Pour soymilk in separate mixing bowl. Pour 1 cup oil into large skillet or wok, or until ½ inch deep, and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 350F.

5. Soak each mushroom in soymilk, and dredge in flour mixture. Fry in batches of six to eight mushrooms, taking care not to overcrowd wok or skillet, until mushrooms are golden brown on one side. After about 45 seconds, carefully turn mushrooms over, and cook until mushrooms float to surface, about 45 seconds more. Remove from oil, and drain well on paper towels.

6. To serve, place ¼ cup Kimpira in center of each plate, and stack about 4 mushrooms on Kimpira. Drizzle 2 tablespoons Wasabi Cream and 2 tablespoons Ketjap Manis around stack, and sprinkle with scallions and black and white sesame seeds. Place 1 teaspoon seaweed on stack, if using, and garnish with lime wedge.