LION’S MANE “CRAB” CAKES

This recipe idea was birthed when I found the most delicious organic Lion’s Mane mushrooms at the farmer’s market and was trying to figure out what to do with them. What a blessing to have Gratitude Garden Farm here in Florida, growing us the most sumptuous mushrooms.

The Marvelous Health Benefits of Lion's Mane Mushrooms

While lion's mane mushrooms are a delectable treat when added to dishes like crab cakes, their allure extends far beyond their culinary attributes. This distinctive mushroom, with its cascading white tendrils resembling the mane of a lion, is lauded not just for its unique taste and texture, but also for its numerous health benefits.

1. Cognitive Support:

Lion's mane mushrooms have been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for promoting cognitive health. Recent scientific studies have indicated that these mushrooms might support brain health due to compounds called hericenones and erinacines. These compounds are believed to stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein that plays a vital role in maintaining and regenerating neurons in the brain.

2. Antioxidant Properties:

Rich in antioxidants, lion's mane mushrooms help combat oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress, caused by free radicals, can lead to cellular damage and is linked with various health concerns. Consuming antioxidant-rich foods can help counteract these negative effects.

3. Supporting Gut Health:

There's growing interest in the potential benefits of lion's mane for the digestive system. Some studies suggest that lion's mane might help reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, potentially benefiting those with conditions like gastritis or inflammatory bowel disease.

4. Mood and Anxiety:

Preliminary research has indicated that lion's mane mushrooms might also be beneficial in supporting mental well-being. Some studies have found that the consumption of lion's mane can have positive effects on mood and anxiety. However, more research is needed in this area to draw conclusive results.

5. Immune System Boost:

Mushrooms, in general, are known to have immune-modulating effects, and lion's mane is no exception. This mushroom can enhance the immune system, making the body more efficient at fending off pathogens and illnesses.

In the Kitchen and Beyond

Integrating lion's mane mushrooms into your diet can be both a culinary delight and a health boost. From our delicious lion's mane crab cakes recipe to sautés and soups, there are countless ways to enjoy this wonderful fungi.

I adapted the following recipe from The Forager Chef to make it vegan friendly & gluten free. But they would be delicious and healthy as ever with pastured eggs, grass fed butter and avocado oil mayo too. Choose your own adventure!

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Ingredients

Mushrooms

• 1 lb lions mane mushrooms

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons water

Cake mix

• ¼ cup minced scallion

• ¼ cup minced yellow onion

• ½ cup flourless breadcrumbs (almond flour or cassava work well)

• ¼ cup vegan mayonnaise (make sure to check ingredients for seed oils & refined sugar. I look for an avocado oil mayo). Same instruction if you’re using regular mayo - check for seed oils as well.

• 2 tablespoons chopped italian parsley

• 1 tablespoon vegan worcesterchire sauce (Wizard’s brand makes a GF option)

• 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning (or sub a mix of paprika, cayenne, and extra salt can be substituted

• 1 flax egg (1 tbsp flax, 3 tbsp water) or sub 1 egg

• Sea salt to taste

Serving

• Avocado oil for cooking the cakes OR grass fed organic butter (YUM)

• GF flour for dredging the cakes

• Fresh green salad

• Dollop of spicy mayonnaise optional

• Fresh cut chives optional

• Lemon wedges

Instructions

Wilt the mushrooms and remove the water

• Shred the lions mane mushrooms into pieces to resemble crab meat. You can use a fork to do this.

• Put the mushrooms in a pan with the water and salt, cover and bring to a simmer, stir, cover, and cook for a few minutes until the mushrooms are wilted and have given up their juice.

• Allow the mushrooms to cool, then squeeze out as much water as you possibly can, using a towel. This step is important as mushrooms, unlike crab, contain lots of water.

Mix with the crab cake mix

• Make the flax egg by combining the flax & water and allow to sit a few minutes to thicken.

• Combine the mushrooms with the cake ingredients and mix well. Taste a bit of the mixture adjust the seasoning for salt and anything else you’re looking for, then allow the crab cake mix to rest for at least 15 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to hydrate, which will make forming the cakes easier. In a perfect world, you’ll let it sit overnight.

Cooking

• To cook the cakes, form 4 oz patties of the mixture. For the most refined look, form the cakes using a ring mold.

• Heat a pan with a few tablespoons of avocado oil.

• Heat an oven to 350F. Meanwhile, gently dredge the cakes in GF flour on both sides, tap off the excess, and brown gently on medium heat. When one side of the cakes are golden brown, gently flip the cakes and transfer the pan to the oven and cook until hot throughout, about 10 minutes.

Serving

• Remove the cakes to a plate with a fresh green salad, top with a dollop of spicy vegan mayonnaise, sprinkle with chives and serve with lemon wedges on the side. The cakes are also excellent served on a bun like you would a burger.

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Looking forward to hearing your feedback if you do try this recipe. You can tag me on instagram @davida.light if you share it!