Delicious oyster mushroom Caesar salad recipe
Are you craving for something fresh, flavorful and umami-rich? Indulge in a classic Caesar salad with a twist! Presenting my sautéed oyster mushroom Caesar salad recipe, guaranteed to take your taste buds on a journey like no other.
This salad is a combination of classic and modern flavors with wholesome ingredients, making it the ideal dish for any occasion. From dinner parties, family gatherings or even a quick lunch for yourself, this is a recipe that never fails to impress.
The recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, so it’s perfect even if you’re not an experienced chef. And the best part? It’s vegan-friendly! Instead of traditional dressing with egg yolks and parmesan cheese, I’ve made a creamy vegan dressing soaked with cashews and nutritional yeast for that savory cheesy flavor without the guilt.
The star of the show that sets this recipe apart is none other than the meaty and delectable oyster mushrooms. They’re pan-fried to perfection, resulting in a crunchy outside and juicy flavorful inside that adds depth of flavor to every bite. Trust me; these mushrooms are the perfect addition to any salad.
So grab your apron and let’s get cooking! I promise this sautéed oyster mushroom Caesar salad recipe will be your new go-to favorite for fast, easy, and unforgettable meals.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Attention, fellow foodies! Have you ever tasted a Caesar salad that was so lacking in flavor that it felt like a slap in the face? Fret not, because this Sauteed Oyster Mushroom Caesar Salad recipe is here to save the day (and your taste buds)! Here are a few reasons why you’ll love this recipe:
Firstly, let’s talk about the star of the recipe – oyster mushrooms. These umami-rich mushrooms have a crunchy outside and juicy, flavorful inside, making them the perfect addition to any dish. They provide a meaty texture and depth of flavor that’s unmatched by other mushroom varieties.
Secondly, our recipe includes homemade Caesar dressing, made with Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic, anchovies, low-fat mayonnaise, and parmesan cheese. This dressing is guilt-free yet indulgent and will make your taste buds explode with joy.
Thirdly, this recipe is versatile – you can customize it to meet different dietary preferences (vegan oyster mushroom salad or mushroom bacon bits creamy vegan dressing).
Lastly (but certainly not least), we believe in using fresh and high-quality ingredients. From extra-virgin olive oil to fresh parmesan cheese and crisp romaine lettuce; we ensure all ingredients are of top-notch quality.
Still not convinced? Check out some of our green kitchen stories for more mushroom recipes or give our lentil Bolognese a try as well! Trust us; you won’t regret giving this Sauteed Oyster Mushroom Caesar Salad recipe a chance.
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this sauteed oyster mushroom Caesar salad recipe:
For the Salad:
- 2 heads of Romaine lettuce (washed, sliced and dried)
- 8 oz. of oyster mushrooms (cleaned and sliced)
- ½ cup of bacon bits (try vegan bacon bits as a substitution)
- 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese
- salt and Pepper
- Olive oil
For the Dressing:
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon of low-fat mayonnaise (omit if preparing a vegan dressing)
- 2 anchovy fillets or vegan anchovy substitute
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tbsp water
- Salt and pepper
Feel free to adjust the quantities to your personal preferences.
The Recipe How-To
Sauteed Oyster Mushroom Caesar Salad Recipe
This mushroom Caesar salad recipe is unique, with sautéed oyster mushrooms that add a meaty bite to the dish. The vegan Caesar dressing is made with soaked cashews instead of egg yolks and nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese – guilt-free, yet creamy vegan dressing! Oyster mushrooms have an umami-rich, crunchy outside and a juicy, flavorful inside. They’re perfect for mimicking the texture and taste of bacon bits in this dish.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz oyster mushrooms
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 romaine lettuce heads, chopped
- 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
Vegan Caesar Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- First, prepare the vegan Caesar Dressing: Drain the soaked cashews and blend them in a high-speed blender or food processor until smooth.
- Add in minced garlic clove, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, soy sauce and water. Blend well until it forms into a smooth texture.
- If the mixture is too thick and creamy add some more water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Next up are the oyster mushrooms! Clean them by wiping away any excess dirt using a damp cloth towel.
- Then slice each mushroom into ¾ inch strips.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add minced garlic into skillet; stir for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add sliced mushrooms and spread them out without overcrowding the pan so they can cook evenly (use two pans if necessary).
- Let them cook without stirring for about 4 minutes or until one side is golden brown.
- Flip each mushroom over with tongs or a spatula then continue to let them cook for another four minutes or until golden brown on each side.
- Season generously with salt and black pepper while cooking the second side of each mushroom.
- Once ready, remove from heat and let them cool further while you prepare the salad leaves.
- Wash and chop two romaine lettuce heads into bite-size pieces then arrange them in a large serving bowl.
- Pour the vegan Caesar dressing onto the salad
- Toss thoroughly to coat all leaves with its flavor
- Top it off with grated parmesan cheese on top, drizzle olive oil over leaves or top with sautéed mushrooms like we did!
- Lastly, bon appétit!
This recipe serves four people as
Substitutions and Variations
Now, I know not everyone is a fan of mushrooms, so I have a few variations of this recipe that you can try out.
For those who love the taste of Caesar salad but want to avoid animal products, you can make a vegan caesar dressing. Instead of using traditional Caesar dressing ingredients like anchovies and egg yolks, opt for a dressing made with soaked cashews and nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese for guilt-free indulgence. Drizzle the dressing over your oyster mushroom salad or kale caesar salad for an extra dose of creaminess.
If you’re not a fan of oyster mushrooms, you can always substitute them with another type of mushroom, such as king oyster or blue oyster mushrooms. These mushrooms are also umami-rich with a crunchy outside and juicy flavorful inside that make them great additions to any dish.
If you’re looking for some other ideas aside from mushroom Caesar salad recipes, try making a frisee salad with crispy pancetta and tangy vinaigrette. Also, roasted oyster mushrooms pair well with warm arugula in any kind of mushroom salad.
Last but not least, if you want to add some protein to your vegetarian salad recipes, try pan-fried chicken strips seasoned with salt and pepper or even lentil bolognese. The possibilities are endless when it comes to making creative substitutions and variations in your recipes
Serving and Pairing
Once you’ve sautéed your delicious oyster mushrooms to perfection and mixed them into your tantalizing Caesar salad, it’s time to sit down and indulge. This salad is a fantastic appetizer or side dish, but can also be beefed up with added proteins like grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a full meal.
For a classic taste, pair this mushroom Caesar salad with a crisp white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. The oily and umami flavors of the salad will mesh perfectly with the tanginess of the wine. If you’re looking for a more fuller-bodied option, opt for Chardonnay or even a light red wine like Pinot Noir.
If you prefer cocktails, a light and refreshing gin and tonic or mojito could be the perfect accompaniment to this savory yet fresh salad – the botanicals in gin create a lovely match with the earthy mushrooms.
For those who are not imbibing, try pairing the dish with freshly squeezed lemonade or iced tea. The thirst-quenching qualities of these drinks balance well against the creamy and crunchy textures of this oyster mushroom Caesar salad.
When serving this dish at an upscale gathering or dinner party, adorn it with extra Parmesan cheese shavings on top along with crispy bacon bits for added texture and flavor. Your guests will be dazzled by its simplicity and elegance.
Overall, this dish is versatile enough to complement any meal from burgers to roasted vegetables or even lentil bolognese to make for an absolutely perfect dining experience that everyone will savor.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
We all love to be able to prepare dishes in advance, especially when we’re entertaining guests. With this sautéed oyster mushroom caesar salad recipe, you can certainly make the salad dressing ahead of time and refrigerate it up to three days before serving. The dressing is made with simple ingredients, such as low-fat mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard, which makes it easy to store.
For the mushrooms, I highly recommend preparing them fresh for the best flavor and texture. However, if you’re short on time, you can cook the mushrooms up to two days ahead of time, and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve the salad, simply reheat the mushrooms in a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat until they’re warm.
The salad greens, such as romaine lettuce or kale, can be washed and chopped up to two days in advance. Place them in an airtight container or a resealable bag with some paper towels to absorb excess moisture before refrigerating. You could also separate the greens and toppings and assemble everything right before serving for optimal freshness.
Finally, if you have any leftovers after your party has ended (which I doubt), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. The mushrooms may lose their flavor if stored with the greens, so I recommend separating them if possible. When reheating leftovers, skip microwaving and opt for gently reheating the mushrooms on a skillet before mixing them back into the salad.
This dish is perfect as a side dish to grilled chicken or pan-fried tofu. With these make-ahead tips and storage instructions, you’ll be able to serve this delicious oyster mushroom caesar salad recipe without stress!
Tips for Perfect Results
Good food, like good literature or a good movie, has a satisfying beginning, a captivating middle and an unforgettable end. If you are reading this, it means that you’re sparking up the perfect beginning for your sauteed oyster mushroom Caesar salad. Allow me to share with you some tips that will help you master the middle of this utterly delicious recipe.
1. Choosing the Perfect Oyster Mushrooms
As the name suggests, oyster mushrooms have a shape that resembles an oyster shell. When choosing these precious ingredients, make sure they are firm and fresh. Check for any discolorations or strange smells as these could be signs of decay.
2. Proper Sauteing Technique
The secret to perfectly tender oyster mushrooms lies in how you cook them. Don’t overcrowd the pan when sauteing as this will reduce the heat causing them to steam instead of getting crispy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside.
3. Perfect Caesar Dressing Balance
The perfect caesar dressing should have a balanced tangy-sour-salty-sweet flavor profile. Keep in mind that anchovies provide saltiness; Dijon mustard and garlic add pungency while lemon juice adds sourness. Combine low-fat mayonnaise with water and whisk until smooth then add all of these ingredients to make a creamy dressing with just enough punch.
4. Fresh and Crispy Salad Greens
When preparing your salad greens, be sure to rinse them thoroughly under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. No one likes soggy salad greens! If you want an extra crispy crunch-boost, soak them in ice-cold water for 10 minutes before serving.
5. Parmesan Cheese – More is Better than Less!
This is not debatable; parmesan cheese is the heart and soul of Caesar Salad recipes! Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for added flavor and texture on your salad.
Follow these tips, and I can assure you that your guests will demand an encore performance of not only this recipe but also any other oyster mushroom dishes coming out from your kitchen!
Bottom Line
This sautéed oyster mushroom caesar salad recipe is a game-changer, and you won’t believe how easy it is to make. With its umami-rich and meaty texture, mushrooms are perfect for any salad recipe.
Whether you’re a vegan or a meat-eater, this recipe has something for everyone. If you’re looking for a side dish for your next dinner party or potluck, look no further than this salad.
So go ahead, try it out! You won’t regret adding this mushroom caesar salad to your repertoire of delectable dishes. And if you’re feeling adventurous, feel free to make substitutions and variations to make it fit your taste even more.
Thanks for taking the time to read my article. Don’t hesitate to leave any comments or questions below. Happy cooking!
Sauteed Oyster Mushroom Caesar Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 anchovies, rinsed and minced
- 1 garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 pinch pepper
Oyster Mushrooms
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 1 lb oyster mushroom, cleaned and diced
Salad
- 8 cups romaine lettuce, packed and torn
- 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Dressing: combine the ingredients for the dressing in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
- In a skillet, add the vegetable oil and saute the oyster mushrooms for 5 - 8 minutes or until tender and brown. Cool slightly.
- Toss the greens with enough dressing to coat. Divide among 6 plates and top with the sautéed mushrooms.
- Sprinkle with the parmesan cheese.
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Anna is a culinary expert who specializes in grilling delicious BBQ dishes. She also enjoys sharing her recipes and experiences with her foodie community on her blog. She’s the total package for any backyard barbecue!