Mushrooms Recipe

Time35m
Serves4

Homemade and hand battered to order

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Ingredients

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Battered Mushrooms

Method

Battered Mushrooms

1

Prepare mushrooms

Wipe mushrooms clean with a damp paper towel or soft brush. Trim any long stems so caps are fairly even. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels — excess surface moisture will prevent the batter from sticking.

2

Set up dredge

Place 1/2 cup flour for dredging in a shallow bowl or plate. Season lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss the dried mushrooms in this flour to give them a light coating; shake off excess.

3

Make batter

In a medium bowl whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp paprika. In a separate small bowl lightly beat the egg. Add the beaten egg and 3 tbs cold beer (or sparkling water) to the dry mix and whisk until combined. Add the remaining 1/4 cup cold liquid gradually until you reach a thick, slightly runny batter with a consistency similar to heavy cream — you should be able to coat the back of a spoon. Keep the batter cold (set the bowl in an ice bath briefly if needed).

4

Heat oil

Pour about 3–4 cups vegetable oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven to reach a 1 to 1.5-inch depth. Heat over medium-high until the oil reaches 350°F (175°C). If you don't have a thermometer, test by dropping a small bit of batter into the oil — it should sizzle and float steadily, browning in about 1–2 minutes.

5

Batter and fry

Working in small batches (6–8 mushrooms depending on pan size), dip each floured mushroom into the batter, allowing excess to drip off for 5–10 seconds. Carefully lower battered mushrooms into the hot oil, spacing them so they don't touch. Fry until golden brown and crisp, about 2.5–4 minutes, turning once if needed for even color. Use a slotted spoon to transfer mushrooms to a wire rack set over a baking sheet or to paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining mushrooms. Maintain oil temperature between 325–350°F (163–177°C); if oil gets too cool, the batter will absorb more oil and be greasy; if too hot, the exterior may darken before the center cooks.

6

Finish and serve

While still hot, season the fried mushrooms lightly with a pinch of salt. Garnish with chopped parsley if using and serve immediately with lemon wedges and your choice of dipping sauce (ranch, aioli, or spicy mayo).

7

Make-ahead and reheating tip

For partially make-ahead prep, clean and trim mushrooms and keep them refrigerated up to 1 day; keep batter chilled. Reheat leftover fried mushrooms in a 375°F (190°C) oven on a wire rack for 6–8 minutes to crisp — avoid microwaving which will make them soggy.