Wood Ear Salad

Name: Wood Ear Salad
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 4 to 6
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 80 g wood ear — soaked; 2 garlic cloves; 1 tbsp vinegar; 1 tsp chili oil; 1 tsp soy sauce; 1 handful cilantro; to taste fine sea salt

25 minutes prep 45 minutes cook Serves 4 to 6 vegan

Wood Ear Salad is a staple in Sichuan cuisine, often appearing as a cooling accompaniment to the region's famously fiery dishes. This dish is a common feature on family tables, especially during the hotter months when a refreshing bite is most welcome. Its simplicity makes it a favorite in home kitchens, where cooks rely on instinct and taste rather than strict measurements.

The salad offers a pleasing contrast of textures, with the crisp wood ear mushrooms balanced by the tender bite of cilantro and the aromatic hit of garlic. A splash of vinegar and a drizzle of chili oil enliven the dish, while soy sauce and a touch of salt round out the flavors. It's a dish meant to be shared, inviting everyone to savor its vibrant, refreshing qualities.

Ingredients

80 gwood ear — soaked
2garlic cloves
1 tbspvinegar
1 tspchili oil
1 tspsoy sauce
1 handfulcilantro
to tastefine sea salt

Method

Start by rehydrating the 80 g wood ear mushrooms. Place them in a medium bowl and cover with warm water. Let them soak until they expand and become tender, which should take about 20 minutes. Once rehydrated, drain and rinse them under cold water to remove any grit, then pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
While the wood ear mushrooms are soaking, prepare the other ingredients. Finely mince the 2 garlic cloves and set them aside. Roughly chop a handful of cilantro, including the tender stems, as they add flavor and texture.
In a small mixing bowl, combine 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tsp chili oil, and 1 tsp soy sauce. Stir well to create a balanced dressing. Taste and adjust the seasoning with fine sea salt to your preference, keeping in mind that the dressing should have a tangy and slightly spicy flavor.
Once the wood ear mushrooms are ready, place them in a large mixing bowl. Add the minced garlic and chopped cilantro to the bowl with the mushrooms.
Pour the prepared dressing over the wood ear mushrooms. Use a pair of tongs or your hands to gently toss the salad, ensuring the dressing coats each piece without tearing the mushrooms.
Transfer the salad to a serving plate, arranging it neatly. Serve the Wood Ear Salad immediately, accompanied by fresh bread to soak up the flavorful dressing.