Mock Abalone (Braised Bailing Mushroom)

For Lunar New Year, Abalone is a delicacy and a ‘must have’ dish for most of the Chinese family Reunion Dinner (on the Eve of Lunar New Year). Being a vegetarian, does not mean that you need to miss out on the taste of this dish! Of course, NOT! There are vegetarian abalones where we can get easily at most of the Vegetarian Shops in Singapore, which is made using cudlan, starch, wheat straw fiber, condiment and seaweed.

However, using fresh ingredient like Bai Ling Mushroom, which have the same texture and look of a real abalone, we can also easily whip up a simple mock abalone. I purchased one fresh Bai Ling Mushroom at the price of S$2.50 and came up with the below recipe.


Preparation: 8 mins, Cooking time: 30 mins

Ingredients (serves 2)
° 1 (225g±) whole fresh Bai Ling mushroom
° 1 slice ginger
° 2 tablespoons vegetarian oyster sauce, or to taste
° 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
° ¾ teaspoon sugar
° ¼ teaspoon sesame oil
° 250ml water or vegetable stock
° 1 teaspoon corn flour, mixed with 2 tablespoons water
° few broccoli florets (for garnish), blanched

Method
1. Combine the ginger, vegetarian oyster sauce, light soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, water or vegetable stock in a claypot. Mix well and add in bai ling mushroom. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 - 25 minutes. Flip over the bai ling mushroom after 10 minutes to ensure the upper side is cooked.
2. Lastly, pour in the corn flour solution and off the heat when the gravy thickened.
3. Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with broccoli florets and serves hot.