Crispy Mushrooms with Basil

This is a deep fried dish, if you are watching your weight, it is best to avoid this or share among your family members or you need to exercise more and no more deep-fried food for the rest of the week.

Honestly, the deep-fried enoki mushroom is real FANTASTIC. With some crispy basil leaves, this made a real presentable dish if you have any guests around for dinner. By the way, enoki mushroom is said to be able to wards off cancer and have a surprisingly high vegetable protein of 5 per cent. Basil on the other hand is said to help relieve fever, purge wind, cleanse blood and strengthen the stomach. So eat more of these, but not the deep-fried one!

Oh, the oil for deep-frying will get milky due to the corn flour used so strain with a paper coffee bag place in a bowl.

Preparation: 8 mins, Cooking time: 12 mins

Ingredients (serves 2-3)
° 100g enoki mushroom, base discarded and separated
° 6-8 fresh shiitake mushrooms
° small handful (25g) basil leaves
° 2 red chilli padi, sliced
° oil, for deep-frying
° 3-4 tablespoons corn flour
° 1/3 teaspoon Chinese five-spices powder, or to taste
° 1/3 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Method
1. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a wok, add in the basil leaves, chilli and fry until crispy. Drain well on kitchen paper and set aside.

2. Combine corn flour, five-spice powder and salt in a plate and mix well. Coat the entire mushrooms with the flour.
3. Heat oil in a wok. Place the mushrooms in and then fry until golden brown. Drain well on kitchen paper.
4. Arrange the basil and mushrooms on a serving plate and serve immediately.