Vegan Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

1 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees(F). 
2 Now, add your thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms to a bowl. 
3 Pour the soy sauce or coconut aminos, the olive oil, the maple syrup and the liquid smoke over the mushrooms, Then sprinkle with the garlic powder and the smoked paprika. Toss the shiitakes with all of the seasonings and coat them completely. You should have just enough of the seasoning, so make sure to stir and toss thoroughly to make sure they are all coated.
4 Now, spread the shiitakes on a sheet pan sprayed with non-stick spray. Spread them out in a single layer. Then bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes, then toss them and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes or until they are brown and crispy. 
5 In the meantime, make the ranch dressing. Add all of the ranch ingredients to a medium sized mixing bowl. Whisk to combined completely and place in the fridge until ready to use.
6 Then, add your diced potatoes to a large pot of water. Bring it to a boil and boil the potatoes for about 10-15 minutes or until they are soft and can be smashed with a fork. Drain and let cool.
7 Once the shiitake bacon is done, remove from the oven and let it cool as well. 
8 When the shiitake bacon and potatoes have cooled to room temperature, add them both to a large mixing bowl. Then pour the ranch dressing on top. Toss to combine. 
9 Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately topped with green onions or chives. Or chill in the fridge and serve cold. It's delicious either way. This serves a crowd so it is great for parties!