Crispy and meaty seafood option inspired by Louisiana flavored goodness! Simple and easy to make. You can have this for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
When you think cajun food, you may think Louisiana. With cajun seasoning, you are able to transport yourself to a region in the states known for its robust heat and flavor. Today, Cajun cuisine is known for being hearty and seafood heavy, a fusion of French, African, and Indigenous influence and an adaptation to this corner of the world.
One of my favorite things to do is to turn a traditional dish that I used to love eating, and veganize it. I grew up eating battered fish. Being Greek, fish was a staple in my household, so at least once a week we were having some form of fish - shrimp was a popular one. I loved everything about it - the texture, the aroma, the flavor. I'm not going to lie and say I never crave any of the dishes I grew up with. Out of all animal products, fish was the last thing I let go of. But, the beautiful thing is I was able to replace it with compassionate options.
Oyster mushrooms are amazing and transformative. Literally, it'll transform into whatever you desire. Because of their meaty yet velvety soft texture, they make for a great meat alternative. Great in chick'n sandwiches, on their own sprinkled with lemon, and much more, they also make for a fantastic shrimp alternative. They have the advantage of embodying a slight sea flavor - which is a plus if you're making a vegan seafood dish.
And alas, we have Cajun Battered Oyster Mushroom Shrimp! It's super simple to make and in this recipe you don't have to do any frying (of course, you're welcome to if you'd like!) Additionally, I like to batter my oyster shrimp with chickpea flour versus all purpose flour. It adds a bit of protein, offers a bit of subtle flavor, and is easier to digest.
I like to enjoy this dish with a side of slow cooked collard greens, on top of some creamy cheesy grits. Makes for a good brunch bowl if you're up for it. But, you can also add it onto a sandwich with remoulade sauce and your fave veggies. The world is your oyster ;-) Enjoy it!
Cajun Battered Oyster Mushroom "Shrimp"
Ingredients
Tools needed: Baking pan, three bowls, tongs or a fork
2 cups oyster mushrooms
1/2 cup chickpea flour (or all-purpose flour)
1/2 cup vegan breadcrumbs
1/2 cup vegan milk (unsweetened)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
Steps
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Place three small bowls out. In one small bowl, create buttermilk by whisking your plant based milk of choice and apple cider vinegar. In a second bowl, pour flour. In a third bowl mix together breadcrumbs and seasoning.
With each individual mushroom, coat the oyster mushrooms in vegan buttermilk. Then toss them in the flour, dip them in the buttermilk. And finally coat with breadcrumbs. Place on tray. Continue until each mushroom is completely coated.
Optional: Sprinkle with olive oil to add more crispy texture.
Bake in oven for 12-14 minutes. The "shrimp" should be crispy. If not, continue to bake for a few more minutes.
Leave a comment below and let me know what you thought of this crispy fish alternative and what your experience was like ;-)
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