When a friend brought me a large head of Maitake mushroom (otherwise known as “hen of the woods,”) from his friend’s farm in Lowell, Indiana, I was a bit puzzled and unsure what to do with it. So I went online and read about how to clean and prepare it. After soaking it in warm water and washing it well, I just sliced it up and stir fried it in oil with garlic and some organic bok choy that I had in the fridge. What a subtle flavor and lovely texture it has. I kept the seasonings fairly straightforward: a few teaspoons of Bragg’s Liquid Aminos (or soy sauce), a few tablespoons of rice wine, and black sesame seeds as a garnish. Add your choice of protein—tofu, tempeh, seitan, legumes or beans—and you have a complete and hearty meal!
