Introduction

Mushrooms are more than just ingredients in Nepali dishes; they are profoundly connected to the country’s culture and traditions. They are appreciated for their distinct flavors, nutritional benefits, and, in certain cases, beneficial characteristics. Mushrooms are a vital element of the Nepali culinary experience, from remote mountain communities to busy city places to eat. There are a lot of delicious mushroom dishes to cook that you will love if you’re from Nepal.

1. Mushroom Chhoila

This delicious and spicy dish is inspired by the Newari grilled spicy dish Chhoila. This dish swaps meat which indicates it is the best alternative for vegetarians. This dish is simple to make and can be served for a spicy taste. It can be made  with different types of mushrooms, such as oyster, button, or shiitake.

Ingredients

• 750 gram Mushroom Whichever variety of mushroom you prefer. I prefer a mix of oyster, shimeji and enoki mushrooms to give it a variety of texture
• 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon Chilli Powder
• ½ teaspoon Timmur powder (Nepali Sichuan Pepper) optional
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 4 tablespoon Lemon Juice
• 2 Spring onion Slice the spring onions into 5cm segments and slice finely long ways.

Recipe

1. Prepare the mushrooms
2. Create the tomato spice taste
3. Make the tempered oil dressing
4. Mix everything and Serve

2. Mushroom Mo:mo

Mo:Mo is one of the popular food in Nepal. Mushroom Mo:mo can be the unique Mo:mo variant which is both healthy and vegan dish. This dish can be made simply with some basic ingredients with mushrooms like shiitake, button, or oyster.

Ingredients

• 2-3 Onions
• 5-6 Mushrooms
• 1/2 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste
• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• Salt to taste
• 1-2 Green Chillies
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper powder
• 1/2 tsp Garam masala powder

Recipe

1. Mix a mixture using all-purpose flour, salt, and 1 teaspoon oil.
2. In a pan, cook onions and mushrooms with ginger-garlic paste, green chili, garam masala, and black pepper powder.
3. From the mixture, make thin, translucent tiny rotis.
4. Place the mushroom mixture inside the rotis. Tighten the ends. Form your momos spherical or round.
5. Steam the momos for 10-15 minutes.

3. Mushroom Pizza

Pizza is also an interesting dish to cook. Pizza with mushrooms is an absolute treat for the senses. It is nothing short of a food masterpiece when soft, cooked mushrooms and creamy, melted cheese are combined on top of a flawlessly baked crust.

Ingredients

• 1 ball Best Pizza Dough (or Food Processor Dough or Thin Crust Dough)
• 1 ½ cups sliced mixed mushrooms (such as baby bella aka cremini, button, shiitake, and oyster)
• 1 tablespoon each finely chopped fresh thyme and oregano, plus more sprigs for topping
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 to 2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
• ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 to 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
• Semolina flour or cornmeal, for dusting the pizza peel

Recipe

1. Make the pizza dough
2. Prepare the toppings
3. Bake the pizza
4. Top with the mozzarella cheese in an even layer, then the cooked mushrooms
5. Bake the pizza until the cheese and crust are nicely browned, about 5 to 7 minutes in the oven

4. Mushroom Masala Curry

A celebration of the union of earthy mushrooms and the complex, fiery flavors of Indian masalas is found in Mushroom Masala Curry. This dish embodies the essence of Indian food traditions, wherein every region contributes its own twist and distinctive spice blend to transform it into a culinary masterpiece.

Ingredients

• ¾ to 1 cup chopped onions – 100 grams or 2 medium onions
• 1 teaspoon chopped ginger or 1 inch ginger
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic or 4 to 5 medium-sized garlic
• 200 to 250 grams white button mushrooms
• 4 tablespoon Curd (yogurt) – whisked till smooth
• 3 tablespoons oil – any neutral oil
• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 small tejpatta or 1 medium to large tejpatta (Indian bay leaf)
• ½ inch cinnamon

Recipe

1. Boil water and add onions
2. Add tomatoes and other vegetables
3.  Heat the pan and add some oil
4. Add 1-2 tsp of red chilli powder
5. Add Mushrooms
6. Mix it well
7. Add water (about 1 cup)
8. Cover and cook until the gravy thickens.

5. Mushroom Soup

Mushroom soup, often synonymous with comfort and homely warmth, is a testament to the magic that can be conjured from the simplest of ingredients. Fresh mushrooms, sautéed to release their rich, savory essence, combined with a touch of cream and seasonings, create a symphony of flavors that delights the palate.

Ingredients

• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Garlic
• Butter or Olive Oil
• All-Purpose Flour
• Vegetable or Chicken Broth
• Milk or Cream
• Thyme or Parsley
• Salt
• Pepper

Recipe

1. Prepare the Mushrooms
2. Mix the Mushrooms with flavourings
3. Add broth and blend the soup
4. Add Cream
5. Add Seasonings
6. Serve

6. Mushroom Pulao

Mushroom pulao is a flavorful and aromatic rice dish that combines basmati rice with mushrooms and a blend of spices. This vegetarian dish is known for its simplicity and quick preparation.

Ingredients

• Basmati Rice
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Cooking Oil or Ghee
• Cinnamon Stick
• Turmeric Powder
• Garam Masala
• Coriander Powder
• Salt
• Water or Vegetable Broth

Recipe

1. Fry onions in ghee till it changes to brown in color.
2. Stir the drained rice, mushroom, paneer and salt.
3. Add shelled peas, chillies, hot water (double the amount of rice).
4. Keep medium heat until it cooks.
5. Serve hot.

7. Mushroom Woh:

Woh (वो:) is Newari traditional food. This is a classic appetizer consisting of spiced lentil patties cooked in a thick-bottomed pan or tawa. Any combination of minced meat or vegetables can be added to flavour these delicious lentil patties.

Ingredients

• 1cup moong lentils
• Mushroom pieces
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ¹⁄₂lb lean ground chicken (Lamb or pork can also be used. Minced vegetables are used for vegetarian cooking)
• 1tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1tablespoon ginger, minced
• 3 green chilies, minced
• ¹⁄₂teaspoon turmeric
• ¹⁄₄teaspoon asafoetida powder
• salt and pepper
• 2tablespoons oil (for mixture)
• ¹⁄₂cup oil (for cooking

Recipe

1. Drain soaked urad dal and grind into a thick, smooth paste.
2. Mix urad dal paste with chopped onions, green chilies, grated ginger, minced garlic, cumin seeds, and salt.
3. Heat vegetable oil for frying.
4. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into hot oil, shaping into round patties.
5. Add Mushroom Pieces.
6. Fry until golden brown and crispy.
7. Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel.
8. Serve hot with yogurt, achar, or dipping sauce.

8. Mushroom Pakora

Mushroom Pakora is a delicious and popular appetizer or snack that features mushrooms coated in a spiced chickpea flour (besan) batter and deep-fried until golden and crispy.

Ingredients

• Fresh mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
• Chickpea flour (besan)
• Cumin powder
• Coriander powder
• Turmeric powder
• Chili powder
• Salt, to taste
• Oil for deep-frying
• Fresh coriander leaves (optional, for garnish)
• Mint chutney (for serving)

Recipe

1. In a bowl, prepare the batter by combining chickpea flour with cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, chili powder, and salt. Add water gradually to make a thick, smooth batter without lumps.
2. Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer.
3. Dip the sliced mushrooms into the batter, ensuring they are well-coated.
4. Carefully place the coated mushrooms into the hot oil, a few at a time, and fry until they turn golden brown and crispy. This usually takes 3-4 minutes.
5. Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried mushrooms and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
6. Repeat the process until all the mushrooms are fried.
7. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves if desired.
8. Serve the Mushroom Pakoras hot with mint chutney on the side.

9. Mushroom Omelette

Mushroom Omelette is a savory and satisfying dish that combines the earthy flavor of mushrooms with the richness of eggs. This classic breakfast or brunch option features a mixture of beaten eggs, sautéed mushrooms, and sometimes additional ingredients like onions, herbs, or cheese.

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/4 cup diced onions (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter or cooking oil
• Grated cheese (optional)
• Fresh herbs such as parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

Recipe

1. Beat three eggs in a bowl and add salt and pepper. Optionally, mix in grated cheese.
2. Sauté sliced mushrooms (and diced onions if you like) in a skillet with butter or oil until tender.
3. Pour the beaten eggs into the skillet, ensuring even coverage.
4. Move the cooked mushrooms (and onions) to one side. Add more butter or oil.
5. When mostly set but slightly runny on top, place mushrooms (and onions) on one half.
6. Fold the other half over and cook for another minute until fully cooked but still moist.
7. Slide onto a plate, garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and enjoy your Mushroom Omelette!

10. Mushroom Samosa

Mushroom Samosa is a delightful variation of the traditional samosa, a popular snack known for its savory, spiced filling enclosed in a crispy, golden-brown pastry shell. The mushrooms, known for their earthy taste and meaty texture, bring a rich and satisfying element to the samosa.

Ingredients

• 2 cups finely chopped mushrooms
• 1 cup boiled and mashed potatoes
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
• 1/2 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)

Recipe

1. Combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, salt, and oil; gradually add water, knead into a stiff dough, and let it rest.
2. In a pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil, add cumin seeds, sauté onions until golden, then add ginger-garlic paste.
3. Add chopped mushrooms, cook until tender, and mix in boiled mashed potatoes, green peas, turmeric powder, chili powder, garam masala, and salt.
4. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and let the filling cool.
5. Divide the dough, roll into thin ovals, cut in half to form semi-circles, fold into cones, fill with the mushroom-potato mixture, and seal.
6. Heat oil for frying, carefully fry samosas until golden brown, and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
7. Serve hot with mint chutney or your preferred dipping sauce. Enjoy your Mushroom Samosas!