Vegan Lion’s Mane Mushroom Shawarma Sandwich

Ingredients:

• 2 large lion’s mane mushrooms (about 2 lbs)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon ground paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup coconut yogurt or any unsweetened plant-based yogurt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Pita bread or flatbreads for serving

For the Garlic Sauce:

• 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise or tahini
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt, to taste

For the Garnish:

• Sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, pickles, and fresh parsley or mint

Instructions:

1. Prepare and Marinate the Mushrooms:
   • Clean the lion’s mane mushrooms by gently brushing off any dirt or debris.
   • Shred the mushrooms into strips resembling the texture of shredded chicken.
   • In a large bowl, combine the garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, plant-based yogurt, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice to make the marinade.
   • Add the shredded mushrooms to the marinade and toss well to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight for better flavor absorption.
2. Cook the Mushrooms:
   • Preheat your grill or oven broiler.
   • Remove the mushrooms from the marinade and discard any remaining marinade.
   • If grilling, cook the mushrooms on medium heat for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and slightly charred. If broiling, place the mushrooms on a baking sheet and broil for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until fully cooked.
3. Prepare the Garlic Sauce:
   • In a small bowl, mix together the vegan mayonnaise or tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.
4. Assemble the Sandwiches:
   • Warm the pita or flatbreads slightly in the oven or on the stovetop.
   • Spread a bit of garlic sauce on each bread, add a generous amount of cooked mushrooms, and garnish with slices of cucumber, tomato, pickles, and fresh parsley or mint.
   • Fold the bread over the fillings and serve immediately.
5. Enjoy your homemade vegan lion’s mane mushroom shawarma sandwiches!

This recipe adheres to vegan dietary restrictions while attempting to maintain the traditional flavors and textures of a classic chicken shawarma sandwich.