| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 25 mins – 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 175 | 10g | 5g | 20g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 7g | 3g | 5g | 0.8g |
Why I Love Chinese Braised Mushroom with Pumpkin
One of my absolute favorite recipes of late is the braised mushroom with pumpkin. This Chinese recipe is a luscious and comforting dish that perfectly marries the earthiness of shiitake mushrooms with the slightly sweet and creamy flavor of pumpkin. It’s unfussy, wholesome, and is full of complex flavors.
The Fusion of Old Recipes and New Discoveries
Whenever I take a shot at blending newer recipes like this, I find myself reborn in the kitchen, seeing ingredients and techniques with fresh eyes—much like how my grandparents in Ireland would have done. Discovering this recipe reminded me of their stories about their first encounters with new ingredients and cooking methods. There’s nothing fancy about braised mushroom with pumpkin – it’s simply good, honest food that lets the individual ingredients shine.
Inspiring Chefs
I cannot feasibly wander into the vast world of Chinese cuisine without acknowledging my inspiration from incredible international chefs. One such individual is Audrey Schulman, who masterfully expands my culinary horizons with her modern interpretations of classic Chinese dishes, including braised pumpkin. Her delicacy to the humble vegetable has given me the humble confidence to put my own stamp on this recipe.
This dish in particular reminds me of a traditional Japanese recipe – Pumpkin and Mushroom Miso Soup. The richness of the mushrooms blends divinely with the sweetness of the pumpkin, a complementary pairing that carries itself to our braised mushroom with pumpkin dish. Steamed jasmine rice or a side of stir-fried bok choy would make a wonderful side to accompany this rich and hearty main.
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When Laura, my fiancé and favorite taste-tester, first tried this dish, she was pleasantly surprised by the depth and richness of its flavor. I could see a flood of inspiration in her eyes, urging me to keep exploring and creating – not just for us, but for our little boy too.
For me, every dish I create is a love letter to my family’s history, a nod to the chefs who inspire me, and a token of my affection for Laura and our baby boy. The braised mushroom with pumpkin is no exception. Whether you make it for yourself or for a loved one, I hope it brings as much joy to your table as it has brought to ours.
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of diced pumpkin
- 1.5 cups of Shiitake mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 inch of fresh ginger, grated
- 1 cup of vegetable stock
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce (optional for vegetarians)
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 green onions, sliced
- A handful of fresh cilantro leaves
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Method
Step One
Begin by dicing your pumpkin and cutting your Shiitake mushrooms into slices. Once done, set these aside.
Step Two
Next up, heat up your vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add your minced garlic and grated ginger into the pan. Cook these ingredients until they become fragrant. This should take about 1 to 2 minutes.
Step Three
Following this, add your cut mushrooms and diced pumpkin to the pan. Sauté these vegetables until the mushrooms start to soften. This should take about another 5 to 7 minutes.
Step Four
Now, pour the vegetable stock into the pan. Add your soy sauce and oyster sauce into the pan and allow the mixture to come to a simmer. If you’re a vegetarian, feel free to skip the oyster sauce.
Step Five
While the mixture is simmering, mix your cornstarch with water in a separate bowl to create a slurry. Once mixed, pour this cornstarch mixture into the pan and stir well until the sauce thickens. This process should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
Step Six
Season with the black pepper and then add your sliced green onions into the pan. Allow everything to simmer for about another 5 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender.
Step Seven
Before serving, garnish your dish with some handful of fresh cilantro leaves and sprinkle some sesame seeds on top. Enjoy your Braised Mushroom with Pumpkin dish hot.
