In the wintertime, I normally let them sun-dry at least 1 full day or 2 days. But, just 4 hours of sunbathing in the morning make the nice semi-dry mushrooms.
With these mushrooms, you can make a wonderful appetizer. So, here's the recipe.
Oil-marinated Sun-dried Mushrooms (scented with shio-koji)
Ingredients
7 oz enoki mushrooms
5 oz shimeji mushrooms
10 oz shiitake mushrooms
1/4C olive oil
1/4 medium-size sweet onion, minced
1 clove garlic, thinly-sliced
2 baby bell peppers, julienned
2T sake
2T water
1 tsp vegetable stock powder (optional)
1T shio-koji
salt and pepper to taste
2T lemon juice
1T pine nuts
1tsp sliced dry red chili
1T chopped parsley
Procedure
1. Cut and discard the bottom part of the mushrooms. Sun-dry the mushrooms until semi-dry (half day to full day).
2. Saute onion and garlic in 2T olive oil over medium-low heat until the onion is very soft (about 5-7 minutes).
3. Turn up the heat to medium. Add the mushrooms and bell pepper, and continue to saute for a few minutes.
4. Add the sake and water. All add the vegetable stock powder. Cover and steam-fry for 5 minutes.
5. Once the liquid is reduced down to almost nothing, add the shio-koji, and also season with salt (if necessary) and pepper. Stir.
6. Add the lemon juice and remaining olive oil. Add the pine nuts and sliced dry red chili. Stir again. Turn off the heat.
7. Once the mushrooms are cooled down. Add the parsley and stir again. Serve immediately or you can refrigerate and keep for 2-3 days. Bring it back to room temperature to serve.
