Mushroom Stir Fry

                                                                         
                                                                                 

                                                                               


Growing up, mushrooms were not so commonly cooked at home.  Maybe it was not so widely available then. I learnt to appreciate and cook mushrooms only when we were based for a few years in Shimla where one could readily procure excellent quality fresh mushrooms.  Since then I have made sure to include this in our diet as I understand it is loaded with essential nutrients and are low in calories.

Mushrooms can be cooked in various ways...either alone or with other vegetables.  Here I have made a very simple mushroom recipe which is crunchy and light.

Ingredients

200 gms mushrooms cut in half
1 onion finely sliced
1 green capsicum sliced
1tsp chopped garlic
1tsp chopped ginger
1  chopped tomato
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder
salt to taste
1/2 tsp garam masala powder
2 tbsps oil to fry mushrooms, onions, capsicum
2tbsps oil to cook

Method :  Heat oil in  a small frying pan and add the halved mushrooms and lightly saute. Take out and keep aside.  In the same oil  lightly toss the capsicum for a minute and keep aside.  Lastly add the onions and fry lightly and take out.

Lets begin assembling the dish now.  Pour the remaining oil in a pan and add the finely chopped ginger and garlic. ( Can also use ginger garlic paste instead).  Fry for a minute.  Add the chopped tomato. Stir fry till tomato is soft using little water if needed.  Add all the spice powders namely salt, turmeric, chilli, coriander and garam masala. When the tomato and spices are well cooked and oil separates from masala add the fried onions, capsicum and mushroom.  Stir well and close.  Do not overcook.

Serve hot with chapati, paratha ... anything you like. Even bread.  You can serve it to guests or enjoy it alone.  It barely takes a few minutes and yet is a delicious single dish meal.

You can tweak this recipe to give it a Chinese flavour too.  Instead of the spice powders mentioned above, add soy sauce, vinegar, pepper, salt, sugar and chilli powder.