Crispy Salt & Pepper Oyster Mushrooms

1. Prepare Seasoning Mix

Combine ¾ teaspoon of white pepper, ½ teaspoon of fine sea salt, onion powder, garlic powder, sand ginger or its substitutes, and ground Sichuan peppercorns in a small bowl. This will be your main seasoning mix. In another small bowl, mix the remaining ¼ teaspoon of white pepper with ¼ teaspoon of fine sea salt and set it aside.

2. Marinate Mushrooms

Place the oyster mushrooms in a bowl and drizzle them with Shaoxing wine and toasted sesame oil. Toss the mushrooms gently to ensure they are evenly coated. Sprinkle the larger spice seasoning mix over the mushrooms and toss them again. Finally, add the potato starch and give everything a final toss to ensure the mushrooms are well coated with the starch.

3. Prepare Crispy Garlic

Line a plate with paper towels. Heat neutral oil in a small pot to 250°F. Add the roughly chopped garlic and fry it for 2-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it turns a very light golden color. This gentle frying ensures the garlic is crisp but not bitter. Remove the garlic with a fine-mesh strainer and place it on the paper towel-lined plate to drain.

4. First Fry of Mushrooms

Set up a wire cooling rack over a sheet pan or line a plate with paper towels. Heat the neutral oil in a small pot to 335°F. Fry the mushrooms in batches, using chopsticks to separate any pieces that stick together. Fry each batch for 1-2 minutes until they are lightly golden. Let the mushrooms sit on the wire rack or paper towels for at least 3 minutes before the second fry.

5. Second Fry of Mushrooms

Heat the oil again to 335°F. Fry the mushrooms in batches for another minute. This second fry will deepen their golden color and make them extra crispy. Transfer the finished mushrooms back to the wire rack or paper towels to drain any excess oil.

6. Assemble and Serve

Heat a wok over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced shallots and optional hot pepper, stir-frying them for 30-60 seconds until they start to soften. Add the crispy garlic and the smaller mixture of salt and white pepper, stirring for about 15 seconds to release their flavors. Finally, toss in the crispy mushrooms, ensuring they are well coated with the aromatic mixture. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful crunch and savory flavor of your crispy salt and pepper oyster mushrooms.