Mock Eel - cooking recipe

Ingredients

7 ounces dried shiitake mushrooms, stems removed
6 cups water
1/3 cup canola oil, for frying
1/2 cup cornstarch
3 scallions, thinly sliced, divided
1 inch piece ginger, minced
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup sugar

Preparation

In a large bowl, soak mushrooms in the water for 10 minutes. Drain and sliced in 1/3\" slices, then squeeze dry.
Heat 2\" oil in a 14\" skillet. Toss mushrooms with cornstarch and fry till crispy. Remove to drain on paper towering.
Drain off all but 2 T. of the oil. Add ginger and 3/4 of the scallions. Cook and stir for 30 seconds, till fragrant.
Stir in the soy sauce and sugar and cook and stir until syrupy, 1 or 2 minutes.
Add mushrooms back to skillet and toss to coat and cook 1 minute. Garnish with remaining scallions. Serve as a side to rice and other veggies.