Traditionally made with chicken or pork mince for a vegan version I used a mixture of mushrooms and Chinese vegetables. Insure you use lovely crisp iceberg lettuce to get the best results. For a lighter tasting version omit the hoisin sauce and use lime juice and a little brown or palm sugar instead. Fantastic as an appetizer or even a light evening meal; Vegetarian Sang Choi Bao is the perfect vegan food for those who love Chinese flavours and the deliciousness of mushrooms.

Vegetarian Sang Choi Bao
Preparation time 20mins // Serves 4-6

• 1 cup dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1 tbs rice bran oil
• ½ – 1 tbs sesame oil
• 300g (10.5 oz) button mushrooms
• 100g (3.5 oz) flat mushrooms
• 1-2 chillies, finely diced or 2 tsp bottled chilli
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely diced
• 4 shallots, finely diced
• 1 cup mixed canned bamboo shoots and water chestnuts, finely diced
• 1 tbs soy sauce
• 1 tbs hoisin sauce
• 1 iceberg lettuce, pulled apart

Submerge the dried shiitake mushrooms in hot water and soak for 5-10 minutes until soft. Drain and reserve liquid.

Dice all the mushrooms roughly into small pieces, you want a slightly mince like texture; set aside.

Heat the oil in a wok or large fry pan; add the mushrooms and fry for 4-5 minutes; add the chilli and ginger and fry for 1 minute; add shallots, bamboo shoots and water chestnuts; toss to combine and cook for a further 3-4 minutes.

Combine ¼ cup of reserved liquid from the shiitake mushrooms with the soy sauce and hoisin sauce; toss through mushroom mixture.

Serve warm accompanied with lettuce leaves. Roll a small amount of mixture up inside your lettuce cup and enjoy!!

Great as a starter or even a light main meal!!