Masa Battered Mushrooms with Smallhold

Masa battered mushrooms
September 29, 2022

This masa tempura batter is the key to the fried fish taco at New York's Empellón, one of the restaurant's most popular dishes. The batter can be used on just about any host, from fish and shrimp to vegetables and tofu. In this case, we're using some beautiful Blue Oyster mushrooms from our friends at Smallhold.

Masa Tempura Batter recipe by Alex Stupak, adapted from MASA: Techniques, Recipes and Reflections on a Timeless Classic with permission from Chronicle Books, 2022.
Masa Battered Mushrooms

Masa Battered Mushrooms

Adapted from a recipe by Alex Stupak in MASA: Techniques, Recipes, and Reflections on a Timeless Classic

Servings

4

Ingredients

  • 1 to 2 quarts vegetable oil, for frying

  • 2 cups cold water

  • 1 cup masa harina

  • ½ tsp fine salt, plus more for seasoning

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 8oz mushrooms, such as blue oyster

Directions

  1. Fill a deep fryer or pot with at least 2 inches of oil and heat to 350°F.

  2. In a blender, combine the water, masa harina, and salt and blend on high speed until smooth, then continue blending for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. If you want a super-smooth batter, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Whether or not you strain the batter, refrigerate until cold.

  3. Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper.

  4. Pour extra masa harina for dredging into a bowl.

  5. Dredge the mushrooms in the masa harina, shaking off the excess.

  6. Dip the mushrooms into the chilled batter until fully coated and then carefully lower into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd them in the pot.

  7. Fry in batches, flipping halfway through, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.

  8. Strain on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate, season with more salt, and serve hot.

  9. Garnish as you please: lime, pickled red onions and a dipping sauce of salsa macha mixed with mayonnaise are nice options.

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Read More

A Guide to Masa Harina

A Guide to Masa Harina
How to Get Your Tortillas to Puff Every Time

How to Get Your Tortillas to Puff Every Time
Alexa Soto's Mole with Mushrooms

Alexa Soto's Mole with Mushrooms