Woah, who knew that Oyster Mushrooms could taste just like calamari? What a concept to take a medicinal plant/fungus and cook it up in a tasty mix of spices instead of killing a sweet little squid, chopping it into little pieces and deep frying it. It makes you think when I put it that way, doesn’t it? There is an alternative to every animal-based food! Healthy body, happy animals, thriving earth. We can all make a difference each and everyday by our food choices!
Do oyster mushrooms really taste like calamari?
Yes, they do! These little delectable delights will light up your appetizer tray, bring some creativity a salad or be a tasty topping to a pasta dish. Heck, last night we had them as our main course with brown rice and salad. Mushrooms can be an easy meat replacement, especially when you are starting out on this plant-based journey.
This recipe was inspired by a dish we ordered last weekend at Summerhill Winery during a dinner out with friends. My sweet friend Dawn said, “Oh my gosh, this vegan calamari is so delicious, you need to recreate it!”. So, the next morning, I went to our little local Sunshine Market and sure enough they had oyster mushrooms. I got to work and came up with a recipe that I hope you will love. It is simple, tasty and quick to make. I used my airfryer, but if you don’t have one, you can easily use a frying pan or your oven.
Is Oyster Mushroom Calamari difficult to make?
Definitely not.
The process is simple. You just wash and pull apart the oyster mushrooms from their base. They kind of grow in a clump. Once they are torn apart, slice the larger mushrooms lengthwise down the center.
Next, mix together the wet spice mix and toss it in with the mushrooms. After that, sprinkle the rice flour/cornstarch mixture on the mushrooms and toss to coat. At this point they are ready to cook. You can air-fry, cook in a frying pan or even bake.
Are mushrooms really that good for me?
Yes! Mushrooms have been shown to strengthen the immune system, help prevent breast cancer, and help protect the brain from oxidative stress. (1) Eating mushrooms regularly can help elevate your health. You may be interested in a recipe I created and the blog post I wrote about Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s G-BOMBS acronym describing the 6 healthiest groups of foods we can eat. M – is for Mushrooms!
I hope you will consider sparing a squid its life and try making Oyster Mushroom Calamari instead! They taste great with a side of my vegan Tzatziki Sauce for dipping. Guaranteed your plate of vegan calamari will be gone before you get enough, so make a lot!
www.thevibrantveggie.com This can be served as an appetizer, the topping for a bowl or pasta dish, or as a main dish with brown rice and a green salad. 
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