Shiitake Bacon

(E)ars – Mushrooms

Have you ever noticed that a sliced mushroom resembles a human ear. WHAT?  I know, so insane.  The doctrine of signatures asserts that mushrooms aid in the improvement in hearing.  The cool factor doesn’t end there.

In Chinese Medicine, the ear is related to the kidney (yin)  and bladder (yang) channels. Mushrooms are one of the few foods that contain vitamin D, which is good for the kidneys. I mean…go on!  They also are said to help reduce damnpness in the body.  Dampness is a condition in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and my friend @acuevolution says the cliffnotes version is that it’s like a fog trapped in the body.  The texture of a mushroom is like a sponge and they soak up what they’re marinated in, so why wouldn’t they do that in your body?  I could geek out on this shit all day.

Not all mushrooms are created equally, so they all have different nutrient density and used in slightly different ways.

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups shiitake mushrooms, sliced about 1/4″ thick
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp coconut aminos, tamari, soy or shoyu
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

 

PROCEDURE

• Preheat oven to 350F
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper
• Slice shiitakes
• Combine olive oil, coconut aminos, salt and pepper in a bowl, whisk to combine
• Add shiitakes and mix to get coated.  I use my hands to get everything coated really well
• Lay shiitakes on a sheet tray in rows.  I find it’s best to have them all face the same direction.
• Roast for 10 minutes.  Then flip.  Roast for another 10 minutes.  Flip again and roast for another 10.  You may need a minute or two more.  You want the edges to be nice and crispy.  You’ll notice they shrink in size!