Sri Lankan King Oyster Mushroom Curry Recipe
This Sri Lankan mushroom curry is cooked using oyster mushrooms, but can be substituted with button or portabella mushrooms. Living in the US, I find my king oyster mushrooms in most Asian markets such as Hmart and Hong Kong markets. The chewy texture of cooked oyster mushrooms is very similar to cuttlefish, therefore it is named as a vegan seafood/cuttlefish dish. As a huge seafood lover who is trying to reduce meat and fish consumption, I love finding vegetables that give a similar texture to seafood.
How to Prepare Mushrooms for Cooking
To clean mushrooms for cooking, place them in a salt water bath for about 5 minutes until the dirt settles. Then strain the mushrooms and squeeze out some of the water they absorbed. Soaking in salt water is an effective way to wash any vegetables or fruits.
How to Cook a Sri Lankan Mushroom Curry
(the Short Version)
To create this dish, onion, garlic, and green chilies are fried and then spices (red chili powder) added. The spices are cooked for 1-2 minutes to give a smoky flavor to the dish. Then sliced mushrooms, tomatoes, and coconut milk is added and cooked until the mushrooms are cooked and have absorbed flavor from the spices. This results in spicy, meaty mushrooms flavored with spices and coconut milk.
5 Reasons to Try to this Easy Mushroom Curry
1) Mushrooms have immense health benefits!
2) Cook this curry using a variety of mushrooms
3) Ultimate comfort food for a mushroom lover
4) Mushrooms are cheap
5) Easy 30-minute dinner recipe for mushroom lovers
Fun Facts about Mushrooms
- Mushrooms are a SUPERFOOD. They have antioxidants, and are high in Vitamin B & C, fiber and potassium.
- Mushrooms in the wild can be poisonous, so please buy them from a grocery store
What Ingredients do you need for this Creamy Mushroom Curry Recipe?
To cook this easy mushroom curry, you need the following ingredients (including curry spices) :
- Mushrooms – Use any type!
- Onions
- Garlic cloves
- Green Chili
- Coconut milk
- Curry leaves (optional)
- Turmeric powder
- Red Chilli powder
- Black pepper
- Roasted curry powder (Garam masala is a great substitute!)
- Salt
Tips and Tricks to Cook this Creamy Sri Lankan Mushroom Curry
- I use coconut cream (full-fat coconut milk) in this recipe, but you can use either coconut cream or diluted coconut milk from the dairy section of the grocery store. Coconut cream can be used without diluting to get a thicker curry, or cooked with some water according to your preference. Coconut milk is usually diluted, so don’t add water to the curry if you use coconut milk
- Do not roasted the spices for more than one minute. Otherwise the spices will burn and you will end up with a weird tasting curry.
- This curry will taste even better the next day, since the mushrooms will keep absorbing the curry flavors!
- Ginger-garlic paste is a good option to use in place of chopped garlic
- Use garam masala or any curry powder of your choice. Here is my recipe for homemade roasted Sri Lankan curry powder.
- Even though fresh tomatoes can be substituted with tomato paste to add some flavor, the mushroom gravy texture will change.
What type of Mushroom can you use to cook this King Oyster Mushroom Curry?
- Oyster mushrooms – Used in this mushroom recipe
- Shiitake – Use dried shiitake mushrooms from the Asian grocery store. Soak them in hot water for about 10 minutes until the mushrooms soften. Shiitake mushrooms have the best earthy mushroom flavor!
- White Button mushrooms or Cremini mushrooms – Portobello mushrooms- Cut into thin slices and use in this curry
- Portobello mushrooms- Cut into thin slices and use in this curry
- Enoki / Seafood mushrooms – Cut one inch off the bottom and separate the mushrooms. Then wash and use them in the curry
Side dishes to Serve with this Sri Lankan Oyster Mushroom Curry
In Sri Lankan cuisine, mushroom curry is generally served on a bed of hot white rice. Since this mushroom curry is spicy, it pairs well with any mild or sweet dish. Other Sri Lankan side dishes you can serve with a mushroom curry are:
Mild Dhal Curry – The most delicious vegan side dish to serve with ANY curry, rice, naan, or bread.
Beetroot Curry – This is a sweet Sri Lankan curry, and will pair well with the spicy mushroom curry
Mallum/Sambola – Any side dishes cooked with using shredded coconut will pair well with this vegan curry. Try these cabbage leaf mallum, gotu kola mallum or pol sambola dishes. These side dishes are also vegan and will pair well to create a healthy, delicious meal.
Appetizers – Add this tuna fish cutlets for a crispy addition to your meal!
Vegan Cuttlefish Curry using Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Coconut oil
- 1/2 Red Onion
- 2 Green chillies serrano, thai, jalapenos
- 2 Tomatoes medium
- 3 Garlic cloves
- 4 tbsp Coconut cream
- 1 tbsp Water
Roasted Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Chillie powder
- 1 tsp Curry powder roasted preferred
- 1 tsp Black pepper
Curry Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
- 1/2 tsp Chillie powder
- 1 tsp Curry powder roasted preferred
Instructions
- Add chopped onions, garlic and chillies to pan with heated oil, and cook for 5 minutes
- Add all ingredients under "Roasted Seasoning" and mix for 1-2 minutes
- Add mushrooms, tomatoes, coconut cream and water
- Add all ingredients under "Curry Seasoning" to the curry
- Close lid and cook on medium heat for 20 minutes
Steps in this Sri Lankan Mushroom Masala Recipe (with pictures)
Chop the onions, garlic, and green chillies to use in this curry.
Add one tablespoon of oil in to a pan. Turn on medium-high heat and add the chopped vegetables when oil is hot.
Once the onions have browned, add the spices to roast (red chili powder, black pepper and curry powder) to the pan.
Mix with the vegetables and cook for 1-2 minutes on low heat
Add the shredded oyster mushrooms and mix with the chopped vegetables and roasted, aromatic spices for 2-3 minutes
Add the chopped tomatoes, coconut cream and water (see tips and tricks for more details on coconut milk). Add turmeric powder and more curry powder. Add chili powder according to your spice tolerance.
Close lid and cook on medium heat for about 20 minutes until mushrooms are cooked in a creamy sauce. Garnish with some chopped coriander according to your preference!
