Week 108:
RECIPE OF THE WEEK FROM HIGHFIELD HALL & GARDENS STAFF, LISA WALKER
If you’ve never heard of Lion’s Mane mushrooms, don’t fret– not many people have, but once you try them you’ll wonder why it took you so long! This mushroom is popular in vegan and vegetarian recipes as it provides an amazing hearty and firm texture, very similar to crab, shredded chicken, and even shrimp! It is mild in flavor and an excellent vehicle to take on the different flavors with which you are cooking. An added bonus– research has found that lion’s mane may protect against dementia, reduce mild symptoms of anxiety and depression and help repair nerve damage. It also has strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-boosting abilities.
While it might not be at every local grocery store, the RI Mushroom Co. sells them at Whole Foods and other markets. You can also find them at Bootstrap Farm Club. You may want to place an order ahead of time and you pick them up when Bootstrap is at Highfield every Friday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Mushroom Shop in Somerville also carries these mushrooms.
Below is a recipe for Lion’s Mane “Crabby” patties. We serve them with a side salad and also as a “crab cake” sandwich with tartar sauce or remoulade. I hope you try this recipe and enjoy it!
Adapted from Aubrey’s Kitchen
Lion’s Mane “Crabby” Patties
Ingredients
- 8 oz Lion's Mane mushroom
- 1 egg (or flax egg for vegan option)
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup onion (chives or shallot also work well) whatever your preference
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise or vegan mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¾ teaspoon old bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon parsley (finely chopped)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (to your taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional additions, chopped red or green bell pepper, diced jalepeño, diced celery
- 2-3 tablespoon oil (to fry cakes)
- garnish: 2 lemon wedges
Instructions
- Hand shred Lion's Mane Mushroom into small pieces resembling texture of flakey crab.
- In large bowl, combine egg, mayonnaise, onion, Worcestershire sauce, old bay seasoning, Dijon mustard, parsley (finely chopped), salt and pepper. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Mix in Lion's Mane Mushroom until fully incorporated.
- Mix in Panko breadcrumbs until fully incorporated.
- Form mixture into 3-4 equal size round flat patties (about ½ to ¾ inch thick).
- Heat oil in sauté pan on medium/high heat.
- Cook patties for approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Should be golden brown and cooked throughout.
- Add optional garnish, squeeze of lemon and enjoy!