Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken Inspired Enoki Mushrooms

Ingredients

• 2 packs enoki mushrooms (trimmed and separated into small bundles)
• 0.5 cup tapioca starch
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• fresh basil (a handful, for frying)
• 1 tsp five spice powder (for seasoning blend)
• 1 tsp onion powder (for seasoning blend)
• 1 tsp white pepper (for seasoning blend)
• 1 tsp chili powder (for seasoning blend)
• 1 tsp sugar (for seasoning blend)
• 1 tbsp garlic salt (for seasoning blend)
• neutral oil (for deep frying)

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare the seasoning blend by combining 1 tsp five spice powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp white pepper, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tbsp garlic salt in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.

2. 2

   Trim the root ends of the enoki mushrooms and separate them into small, bite-sized bundles.

3. 3

   In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup tapioca starch, 1/2 cup flour, and 1 cup water until a smooth batter forms.

4. 4

   Heat about 2-3 inches of neutral oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet to approximately 350°F (175°C).

5. 5

   Dip the enoki mushroom bundles into the batter, ensuring they are fully coated, then carefully drop them into the hot oil in batches to avoid overcrowding.

6. 6

   Fry the mushrooms until they are golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch.

7. 7

   During the last 30 seconds of frying a batch, carefully add a handful of fresh basil leaves to the oil. Be cautious as the moisture in the basil will cause the oil to sputter.

8. 8

   Remove the mushrooms and fried basil from the oil using a slotted spoon or spider and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.

9. 9

   While still hot, generously sprinkle the fried mushrooms and basil with the prepared seasoning blend to taste.

Notes

Ensure the basil is completely dry before frying to minimize oil splatter. The seasoning blend makes more than you might need for one batch; store any leftover spice mix in an airtight container for future use.

Nutrition per serving

• appetizer
• snack
• vegetarian
• crispy
• taiwanese
• fried
• mushrooms