I admit I got actual tears in my eyes when I was filming videos for this Argentinian Lions Mane. My soul completely wakes up from these innovative dishes. I am completely elated for you to explore this dish. There is an art that comes with grilling and smoking, and somehow it’s just elevated when it’s beautiful plant ingredients. There is something about putting ingredients you are proud of into your body… it speaks to me.
I was inspired by traditional Argentinian Carne Asada and chimmichurri sauce. Carne Asada is a latin skirt steak popular in southern Latin American, and of course did you really go to Argentina if it doesn’t have chimmichurri sauce?! I had the pleasure of stopping by Windy City Mushroom in Chicago to pick up a supply of these bad boys, and I absolutely cannot recommend them enough if you live in the Chicago area.
What is a Lions Mane Mushroom?
Lions Mane mushrooms are giant white mushrooms that look like an actual lions manes. They have an earthy flavor with notes of pepper. The texture makes for an ideal meat substitute. I often compare it to a fatty pork chop when pressed and grilled on the cast iron (like we will do in this recipe!). In this recipe, we are going to serve with my dijon chimmichurri sauce and marinate in traditional Argentinian Carne Asada marinade.
Windy City Mushrooms
If you have been looking for me, I am singing the praises of Windy City Mushrooms from the top of Willis Tower. Dramatic, I know. I was already a big fan of Windy City’s products, and then I stopped by the warehouse. THE FACTORY. An entire factory of mushroom wonderland. How rejuvenating to see a brand so passionate and knowledgable about their product. With good reason, these people know mushrooms. I always support being proud of the food that you put into your body, and Windy City Mushrooms is just that. If you are in the area and looking for some gourmet mushrooms to try out- check them out- they currently are available at Doms Market in Lincoln Park/Lakeview in Chicago. You can also find them at farmers markets around the city. Here’s their current variety…
- Blue Oyster
- Chestnut
- Lionsmane
- Italian Oyster
- Elm Oyster
- Black Pearl King Oyster
- Fresh Reishi Antlers
How to Prepare Lions Mane Steak
The first time I bought a Lions Mane mushroom, I panicked and wondered what I had gotten myself into. Immediately I went online and started watching youtube videos from one of my favorite vegan channels- Wicked Kitchen. I highly recommend if you looking for a full video demo on how to grill Lions Mane. In this recipe I prepare and grill after marinating the mushrooms, however that is not necessary. You can cook these mushrooms with just oil and steak seasoning if you wish and they will still come out 10 out of 10.
- Step 1: Fire up your cast iron with some olive oil and press your mushroom firmly into the pan. Rest a second cast iron or heavy pan like a dutch oven on top of the mushroom as it grills. Give it a good press to expel that liquid, reducing the mushroom. Grill for about 2-3 minutes on the first side.
- Step 2: Flip and repeat process on the other side for an additional 2-3 minutes. Before flipping to each side one more time, season the mushroom GENEROUSLY with your steak seasoning blend.
- Step 3: Flip and press for 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Flip and press for 2 minutes. Grill until a steak like skin has formed and mushroom is golden and slightly charred.
NOTE: You are grilling each side twice. Once without seasoning, and once with seasoning.
