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Hokkaido brioche

Hokkaido brioche

Traditional Japanese Dishes

Sushi

Sushi is one of the best known Japanese foods around the world. It is offered in various ways and prices, from the entertaining kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi), where visitors can enjoy sushi for a reasonable price of about 100 yen per plate, to high-end, long-established, traditional Edomae Sushi (Edo-style sushi) where you will sit at a quiet counter to eat as the sushi is prepared right before your eyes. Sushi usually refers to a dish of pressed vinegared rice with a piece of raw fish or shellfish, called a neta, on top. Sushi is generally eaten with soy sauce and wasabi, but those who aren't too fond of wasabi can ask for "sabi-nuki" (meaning "without wasabi").

Sashimi

Sashimi is another must-try food. Similar to sushi but without the rice, sashimi is raw fish sliced into easy-to-eat pieces. The high-quality of the fish caught in all regions of Japan makes it a great choice no matter if you are visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, or Hokkaido.
Just like sushi, diners can enjoy dozens of varieties of sashimi. Some of the most common and popular varieties are maguro and other tuna varieties, salmon, mackerel, and sea bream. You can also try clams, uni, or sea urchin, and salmon roe. Find out what fish and seafood you like the best by ordering a variety.

Unagi - Grilled Eel

Unagi (eel), a fish known to be found mainly in rivers, is a delicacy that can often be found in fine and expensive Japanese dining. There are also many restaurants that specialize in unagi dishes. At unagi restaurants, you will be able to enjoy kabayaki, where the unagi is put on skewers and grilled with a special sauce containing soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake. Unadon, a dish of kabayaki on top of white rice, is also offered in these establishments.

Tempura

Tempura is a dish involving ingredients like seafood, meat, and vegetables covered in batter and deep-fried in oil. Tempura is generally dipped in a special sauce called tentsuyu before eating. Tentsuyu is a sauce made of broth from kombu or dried bonito, mirin, and soy sauce mixed at a ratio of 4:1:1 and cooked. You can add ginger or grated radish to your liking for a more refreshing taste.

Soba - Buckwheat Noodles

Soba is a noodle dish made from buckwheat flour with water and flour, thinly spread and cut into noodles with widths of 1cm-2cm. After boiling the noodles in hot water, it is eaten dipped in cold soup, or by pouring hot soup over it. The sobatsuyu - sobajiru, made from kombu or dried bonito broth with seasonings like soy sauce and mirin, is crucial for having a delicious soba experience.

Udon - Hearty Wheat Noodles

Udon is a unique dish known for its thick noodles. Udon is also a well-known traditional Japanese dish. The dough is made from flour and salt water that is well-kneaded and cut into noodles. After being boiled in hot water, much like soba, it is eaten in seafood broth soup, or by pouring soup and toppings like tempura on top of it. There is no one designated way to eat udon.

Onigiri - Rice Balls

Onigiri, also called omusubi, may just look like plain rice, but they often have a savory filling inside and are wrapped with a salty sheet of nori seaweed. They are made in bento lunches by families and often seen sold in convenience stores and supermarkets. This is a classic choice for a snack or light meal. Common flavors for onigiri include kelp, pickled plum (umeboshi), salmon, and bonito flakes. There are also many other flavors.

Yakitori - Grilled Chicken Skewers

Yakitori is a popular food where chicken is cut into small pieces, then placed on bamboo skewers and grilled. It is often found on the menus of izakaya and casual restaurants, making it a good option for a night out in Japan with friends. It is especially delicious when paired with alcohol. Also, if you go to a Japanese festival, there is a good chance that food stalls will be selling this classic dish.

Sukiyaki - Japanese Hot Pot

Sukiyaki is a one-pot dish cooked in a shallow iron pan, traditionally enjoyed in the fall and winter in Japan. It became popular in Japan around the 19th century. Made both in homes and available on menus at restaurants, it is a dish you will want to try when in Japan.
Sukiyaki is made with several different ingredients, like thin slices of beef, green onion, mushroom, tofu, and noodles. Diners prepare the dish themselves by boiling the ingredients in the pot. After the ingredients are cooked thoroughly, to eat sukiyaki in its conventional way, dip the meat or vegetable into a bowl of beaten egg. Note that there are regional differences in how sukiyaki is made across Japan, namely between the Kanto and Kansai regions. In Kansai, the meat is grilled before being boiled in the pot.

Oden - Simmered Ingredients

Oden is a dish of various ingredients simmered in broth. The ingredients are meant to bring out the flavor of the dashi (consisting usually of a mixture of seafood and kelp) and have a savory, salty taste. Oden has been eaten for a long time in Japan and is thought to have been first made during the Muromachi period (1336 – 1573).
Mild-tasting vegetables, tofu, and fish are common ingredients in oden. Daikon radish, a thick root vegetable, can be found at most shops with oden. Another popular choice is ganmodoki, a hearty mixture of tofu and vegetables made into a circular shape.

Miso Soup

Miso soup is another famous Japanese food, renowned for its great taste and health benefits. This soup is conventionally drunk accompanied by other side and main dishes. A traditional Japanese diet generally includes drinking miso soup daily.
Miso soup is made simply, with the fermented miso base, which has a flavorful taste full of depth, added to Japanese dashi (conventionally mixture of bonito and kelp). There are hundreds of regional varieties on miso soup, from simple soups with just seaweed and tofu to ones with crab and a variety of vegetables.
Miso paste itself comes in different types, from white, which has a sweet flavor, to a darker, saltier red. Be sure to enjoy authentic miso soup when you are in Japan. It is served at most Japanese restaurants in all price ranges; you will find miso soup with teishoku set meals as well as high-end kaiseki cuisine, and everything in between.

Ramen
(ラーメン, Shina Soba, Chūka Soba, Ramyeon, 라면)
Ramen is a noodle soup that first appeared in Japan in 1910, when Chinese cooks combined the noodles with a salty broth. These curly noodles were of bright yellow color and more elastic than the Japanese noodles prepared at the time – the dough was kneaded with a sodium carbonate-infused mineral water called kansui.
In 1958, its name was derived from the pronunciation of the Chinese word lamian (pulled noodles), and that same year, Nissin Foods produced the first-ever instant version of noodles with a chicken-flavored broth called Chickin Ramen.
Shortly after, the dish started to be exported around the world. Ramen should be cooked al dente and eaten quickly while it is still hot. It is not recommended to leave the noodles sitting in the broth for too long, as they tend to become too soft and mushy.
The dish can be either kotteri (rich) or assari/paitan (light), depending on the opaqueness and the heaviness of the broth which is usually made using animal bones or dried seafood mixed with onions, garlic, ginger, leeks, and mushrooms.
Two most famous types of ramen are ramen of Kyushu, prepared with a boiled pork bone broth called tonkotsu, and ramen of Hokkaido, made with a traditional seasoning called red miso.

Avocado Sashimi  Print Recipe

Shichimi togarashi (also called nanami togarashi) is a spice blend that consists of 7 ingredients.

A blend may contain ground red chili pepper, ground sichuan pepper, roasted orange peel, black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds, hemp seeds, ground ginger, nori or aonori, poppy seeds, yuzu peel, rape seed, or shiso, depending on the maker. It’s wonderful sprinkled on everything from chicken or fish, to soup or steamed vegetables.
Serves: 2
Preparation time: 10 minutes
1 ripe avocado
1/2 fresh lemon
shichimi togarashi
wasabi paste
soy sauce

Peel the avocado and cut into slices.
Squeeze lemon juice over the slices. Sprinkle with shichimi togarashi and serve with wasabi and soy sauce.

Citrus kosho - japanese citrus chili paste   Print Recipe

This citrus chili paste is a fresh take on the traditional Japanese yuzu kosho, substituting limes and lemons and orange and grapefruit for the tough to find yuzu. It’s fragrant and salty and hot. You’ll want a microplane and a mortar and pestle for this recipe. You could finish the mixing in a food processor or in a blender for a finer paste. The citrus kosho pairs well with beef, chicken recipes and with Miso soup..It also combines unexpectedly well with pasta, particularly with the Japanese-style pasta flavored mainly with soy sauce.Japanese.

Serves: 8
Preparation time:20 minutes
1 lemon ( Meyer lemon if available)
1 lime
1 small grapefruit
1 small orange
2 stalks lemongrass
2 serrano or jalapeňo chilis
1 tablespoon fine grained salt
Zest the lemons, limes, along with the grapefruit and orange into a medium bowl. Remove the fibrous outer layers and tops and bottoms from the lemongrass, leaving the tender center of the stalk. Finely chop the center of the stalk and add to the bowl. Finely slice the chili, and add it, seeds and all, to the bowl.
Transfer the ingredients to a mortar, add the salt, and pound with a pestle until everything combines into a rough paste (alternatively, blend in a food processor or blender into a fine paste). Juice one half of a lemon and one half of a lime and add the juice to the paste and stir.

Place in a glass jar, cover, and let ferment a few days at room temperature. Store in refrigerator.

Will keep in the refrigerator for about a month.

Edamame hummus with spiced pita chips  Print Recipe

This fresh green, creamy dip, excerpted from the cookbook The Food You Crave , has all the classic hummus flavors of garlic, cumin, and lemon. with a big citrus punch. Its smooth texture make it the perfect companion to the bold spicy shards of pita.

Hummus can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Serves: 10
Preparation time:10 minutes
2 cups frozen shelled edamame, cooked according to package directions
1 cup silken tofu, drained
1/2 tsp. salt, plus more to taste
Pinch of white pepper, plus more to taste
1-1/2 tsp. ground cumin, plus more for garnish
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbs.)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
See Recipe for Spiced pita chips



Set 1 tablespoon of the edamame aside for a garnish.
Place the rest, along with the tofu, salt, pepper, cumin, garlic, oil and lemon juice, in a food processor and process until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice, if desired.

Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and garnish with the reserved edamame and a sprinkle of cumin. Serve with the spiced pita chips
.

Fried banana wontons with custard sauce  Print Recipe

This is a dessert version of classic fried savory ravioli, dressed up with custard sauce.
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
3/4 cup finely chopped peeled ripe bananas
1/4 cup golden brown sugar (packed)
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans
16 wonton wrappers
1 large egg, beaten to blend
vegetable oil (for frying)
Powdered sugar (optional)
Serve with Vanilla Custard Sauce
Gently mix bananas, brown sugar, graham cracker crumbs, walnuts and pecans in medium bowl (do not mash bananas).
Lay wonton wrappers on work surface and brush edges with egg. Spoon 1 1/2 heaping teaspoons banana filling into center of each wrapper.
Fold wrappers diagonally over filling. Press edges to seal. Place on baking sheet lined with plastic wrap. (Ravioli can be prepared 6 hours ahead.
Cover with plastic and refrigerate.) Add enough oil to heavy large skillet to reach depth of 2 inches.
Heat over medium heat to 350 F. Working in batches, add ravioli; cook until golden brown, about 45 seconds per side.
Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels; drain.
Arrange ravioli on serving plate and dust with powdered sugar, if desired. Serve with Vanilla Custard Sauce.

Hokkaido brioche  Print Recipe

Hokkaido milk bread is quite simply the fluffiest, softest, lightest, most pillowy cloud of deliciousness thanks to a simple technique involving a roux "starter," known as tangzhong.
Serves: 8
Preparation time:2 hours
Cooking time:30 minutes
Tangzhong
• 20 g (3/4 oz) strong white bread flour
• 75ml (6 tbsp) water
• 1 tbsp whole milk
Dough
• 350 g (scant 3 cups) strong white bread flour
• 7 g (2 tsp) fast action yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 60 g (scant 1/3 cup) sugar
• 1 tbsp milk powder
• 1 egg
• 120 ml (1/2 cup whole milk
• 30 g (2 tbsp) softened butter
• 1 egg beaten with a splash of milk, to glaze
To make the tangzhong:
Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan, and whisk until no lumps remain.
Place the saucepan over low heat, and cook the mixture, whisking constantly, until thick and the whisk leaves lines on the bottom of the pan, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Transfer the tangzhong to a small mixing bowl or measuring cup and let it cool to room temperature.

To make the dough
1. Place the flour in a large bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer, fitted with a dough hook) and add the yeast to one side, the salt, sugar and milk powder to the other (if the salt is added on top of the yeast it can kill it), stir to combine.
2. Whisk together the cooled tangzhong, egg and milk and add it to the dry ingredients. Mix everything together until it forms a soft, shaggy dough. If you are kneading by hand, turn the dough out onto a worktop and knead for 5-10 minutes until it starts to feel smooth and a little less sticky (it will still be very sticky), add no more than a spoonful of flour while you are kneading, the dough is meant to be sticky! The best way to knead a wet dough by hand is to stretch it up away from the worktop (it will stick), then slap it back down, make sure that you pull from a different section each time and keep a dough scraper handy. If you are using a stand mixer, mix for 5 minutes or so until the dough is smooth.
3. Add the butter and mix until it is fully incorporated, continue to knead until the dough is very elastic and begins to come away from the worktop (or sides of the stand mixer bowl) cleanly. It should pass the windowpane test - stretch the dough with your hands, you should be able to stretch it to a very thin, almost transparent membrane without it tearing. This can take up to 20 minutes of kneading, especially by hand.
4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with clingfilm, leave to rise for 1-2 hours until well doubled in size. Alternatively, place it in the fridge to rise overnight. If you refrigerate it, the following day let it come up to room temperature for about half an hour before continuing.
5. Line an 8.5x4.5in (or thereabouts) loaf tin with greaseproof paper. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and fold it in on itself a couple of times. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, divide it in to four equal pieces and roll each one into a ball.
6. Roll each ball out into a long oval, fold one third of the oval over the middle (from the side, not the top), then the other third over the top to form a long, narrow packet. Roll over the seam to flatten it, then roll it up from one end to make a fat sausage. Repeat with the other balls of dough then arrange them in the loaf tin, seam side down.
7. Loosely cover with oiled clingfilm and leave to rise until at least doubled in size, this can take 1-2 hours (mine took nearly 2). If you press the dough gently with a finger the indentation should spring back slowly but remain visible. If it springs back quickly it needs to proof for a little longer. Preheat the oven while the dough is rising to 180C/350F/gas mark 4.
8. Brush the top of the dough with some of the beaten egg then bake on the lower middle shelf of the oven for 30-40 minutes until well risen and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom, the internal temperature should reach 94C/200F on a probe thermometer. Cover the bread with foil partway through baking if it starts to get too dark.
9. Transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely before slicing.

Kiwi sorbet  Print Recipe


Serves: 8
Preparation time: 45 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
8 kiwis
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Peel kiwis. Puree in a food processor. Combine water and sugar. Heat in a saucepan until sugar is dissolved. Cool the syrup. Add the lemon juice and kiwi puree.
Pour the mixture in an ice cream maker and freeze 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with kiwi slices or other color contrasting fruit if desired.

Panko-crusted salmon  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
2/3 cup panko (Japanese dried bread flakes)
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons good olive oil
4 (6- to 8-ounce) salmon fillets, skin on
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Lemon wedges, for serving
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

In a small bowl, mix together the panko, parsley, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Drizzle with the olive oil and stir until the crumbs are evenly coated. Set aside.

Place the salmon fillets, skin side down, on a board. Generously brush the top of the fillets with mustard and then sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Press the panko mixture thickly on top of the mustard on each salmon fillet. The mustard will help the panko adhere.

Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet or large heavy, ovenproof pan. When the oil is very hot, add the salmon fillets, skin side down, and sear for 3 to 4 minutes, without turning, to brown the skin.

Transfer the pan to the hot oven for 5 to 7 minutes until the salmon is almost cooked and the panko is browned. Remove from the oven, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve the salmon hot or at room temperature with lemon wedges.

Ramen burger  Print Recipe

Sriracha is a type of hot sauce available in Asian food markets. It is made from a paste of chili peppers, distilled vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt. It is named after the coastal city of Si Racha, in the in the Chonburi Province of Eastern Thailand, where it was possibly first produced for dishes served at local seafood restaurants. From wikipedia.org




To shape the ramen into a bun, use ramekins that are similar in size to the burger patty. If you don't have ramekins, substitute pint-size deli containers.
Serves: 1
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
1 package ramen noodles
1 egg
2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or grapeseed
1 tablespoon ketchup
1/2 tablespoon sriracha
1 beef burger patty
Soy sauce
Sesame oil
1 slice American cheese
1 scallion, thinly sliced on the bias
1/2 cup arugula
Cook the ramen according to the directions on the package (including the seasoning), then drain off the liquid. Let cool to room temperature. In a small mixing bowl, whisk 1 egg until no streaks of yolk remain. Add the ramen, tossing thoroughly to coat with the egg. Divide the egg-dressed ramen into two portions, and place each half into a ramekin.
Cover the ramen with plastic wrap, and weigh it down with a can of soup to compress it into a bun shape. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
Add the oil to a skillet, and set over medium-high heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, unmold the ramen buns into the pan, and cook until the bottom is a dark golden brown. Flip both of the patties, and cook until a dark golden brown on both sides.

Whisk together the sriracha and ketchup in a small bowl.

Season the hamburger patty with salt, pepper, a splash of soy sauce, and sesame oil. Wipe out the skillet, and cook the burger over medium-high heat until medium rare, or to your preferred degree of doneness. Finish with a splash of soy sauce and sesame oil. Top with a slice of cheese.

Assemble the burger in this order: ramen bun, arugula, ketchup, burger patty (cheese side up), scallions, and the second ramen bun. Wrap in wax paper for easier eating, and serve hot.

Snow Pea fennel and Enoki Mushroom Salad  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons silken tofu
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons tamari or soy sauce
1 teaspoon unseasoned rice vinegar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
Salt
1 cup snow peas (3 ounces)
1 fennel bulb, sliced
1/4 cup cut chives (in 1-inch lengths)
2 ounces enoki mushrooms
2 tablespoons chopped chervil or flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons chopped basil
In a blender, puree the tofu with the olive oil, tamari, rice vinegar, lemon juice, ginger and sesame oil. Scrape the dressing into a bowl and season with salt.
In a small saucepan of salted boiling water, blanch the snow peas for 30 seconds. Drain and pat dry, then slice lengthwise into thin strips.
Steam the sliced fennel for 10-12 minutes. Drain and cool.
In a large bowl, toss the fennel with the snow peas, chives, enoki mushrooms, chervil and basil. Add the tofu dressing and toss again. Transfer to plates and serve.
MAKE AHEAD
The dressing can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Stir the dressing before using.
NOTES

Spicy edamame burgers  Print Recipe

They freeze well.
Serve as mini cakes as hors d'oeuvre, appetizers or main meal.
Serves: 10
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
1 lb shelled edamame thawed or fresh
1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
4 ounces (110 g) sliced mushrooms, shiatake or crimini
1/3 cup water
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon low salt soy sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon chickpea flour or cornstarch
Oil, for frying
Combine the edamame, chickpeas, mushrooms, water, garlic, cumin, soy sauce and salt and pepper in a food processor and process until smooth. Transfer into a large bowl.
Add the flour and mix well
Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes to make it easier to handle when forming the patties.
Shape mixture into 10 patties.Dust both sides of the patties with chickpea flour or cornstarch.
Heat the oil in a sauté pan and fry the patties for 4 to 5 minutes on each sides, or until golden brown on both sides.
Serve on top of a spinach sald, or on a toasted bun.

Spicy poached peaches  Print Recipe

Serves: 6
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
3 cups water
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
8 slices peeled ginger, crushed slightly
6 slightly under ripe peaches
1 lemon, halved
Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (optional)
Combine water, sugar, cinnamon and ginger in a large saucepan. Set over high heat and stir until sugar dissolves. When boiling, reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, peel peaches, cut them in half and remove pits. Cut halves in half again. Rub peaches all over with cut lemon.
After sugar-ginger mixture has simmered for 10 minutes, add half of peaches. Reduce heat slightly and simmer gently until just tender, from 4 to 6 minutes.
Then remove with a slotted spoon. Add remaining peaches and repeat cooking as directed above.
When all peaches have been poached, remove ginger from poaching liquid and discard. Bring liquid back to a boil. Boil gently, uncovered, over medium-high heat until reduced to a thick amber syrup, about 10 minutes. Stir often near end of cooking. Remove cinnamon sticks.
Arrange peaches in bowls. Pour warm syrup over fruit. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate. Just before serving reheat. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Tamagoyaki - japanese rolled omelette  Print Recipe

A recipe inspired by Just One Cookbook.com

Tamagoyaki (Japanese Rolled Omelette) 玉子焼き (卵焼き or 玉子焼き) is a Japanese rolled omelette, and it is commonly served as part of Japanese style breakfast or put in a bento (Japanese lunch box) as a side dishes.


What you may not know is that when dashi is added to the egg mixture, the dish is actually called Dashimaki Tamago. (出し巻き卵). Dashi is the Japanese stock made of kombu (edible kelp) and Katsuobushi (smoked bonito flakes), maki in Japanese means to roll, and tamago means eggs.
Serves: 6
Preparation time:15 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
3 large eggs
2 Tbsp. cooking oil (vegetable or canola)
1½ sheet nori (optional)
1" (2.5 cm) green part of daikon radish (it's sweeter than white part)
Soy sauce
Seasonings
3 Tbsp. dashi (Use Kombu Dashi for vegetarian)
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. mirin
2 pinches of salt
Using a Round Frying Pan
Heat the pan over medium heat, dip a folded paper towel in oil and apply to the pan.
Put a little bit of egg mixture to see if the pan is hot. When you hear the sizzling sound, pour a thin layer of egg mixture in the pan,
tilting to cover the bottom of the pan.

Poke the air bubbles to release the air. After the bottom of the egg has set but still soft on top,
start rolling into a log shape from one side to the other. Here I put half sheet of nori and then rolled (optional).

Move the rolled omelette to the side where you started to roll, and apply oil to the pan with a paper towel, even under the omelette. Pour the egg mixture to cover the bottom of the pan again. Make sure to lift the omelette to spread the mixture underneath.

When the new layer of egg has set and still soft on top, start rolling from one side to the other. This is optional but I put another layer of nori sheet before rolling.

Move the rolled omelette to the side where you started to roll, and apply oil to the pan with a paper towel, even under the omelette. Then pour the egg mixture to cover the bottom of the pan again. Make sure to lift the omelette to spread the mixture underneath.

When the new layer of egg has set and still soft on top, start rolling from one side to the other. I put another sheet of nori here before rolling. Continue until all the egg mixture is finished.

Remove from the pan and place the omelette on the bamboo mat and wrap it up. Shape the egg when it is still hot. Let it stand for 5 minutes.

To serve
Slice the omelette into ½" (1 cm) pieces.

Peel and grate daikon. Gently squeeze water out. Serve Tamagoyaki with grated daikon and pour soy sauce over daikon.

Tofu  Print Recipe

Like many soya foods, tofu originated in China. Legend has it that it was discovered about 2000 years ago by a Chinese cook who accidentally curdled soy milk when he added nigari seaweed. Introduced into Japan in the eighth century, tofu was originally called 'okabe'.
Made from curdled soybean, tofu is relatively bland in its unadulterated form, but that’s also its secret weapon—once you learn a few tips and tricks, tofu can don almost any sauce or texture .

Preparation time:0 minutes
Tofu


Tofu recipes

The 7 Main Types of Tofu And How to Cook With Them

From Firm to Silken, Know Which Type to Use


Silken Tofu
This style of tofu is complete with minimal curdling and processing, resulting in a product that is delicate in both texture and flavor. There are several ingredients that can be used to coagulate silken tofu, each producing a slightly different effect. For more jiggle and bounce, glucono delta lactone is added, whereas to achieve a softer result, nigari or gypsum is stirred in. Either way, it’s set in the same container it’s made in.
Historically, the Koreans enjoyed silken tofu in their jigae stew, while the Japanese incorporated it into hiyayakko, a simple dish made from chilled tofu and toppings with ginger, scallions, and soy sauce. Now, this doesn’t preclude silken tofu from packing a punch—it’s 40 percent protein, making it a lovely addition to your health-conscious smoothies, sauces, and even desserts.


Medium Tofu
In terms of texture, there is a range between silken and firm tofu that we’ll grant the ambiguous title of “medium.” This category of tofu has an additional step built into the process: pressing. After the soybean is sufficiently curdled, it’s transferred into a press that squeezes out most of its water. How you enjoy medium tofu is a matter of personal preference since its definition isn’t as firm (get it?) as others. That said, most agree it doesn’t hold up well when heavily handled, such as in a stir fry or on the grill. Try dropping it into miso soup or showcasing it in a Szechuan mapo tofu.


Firm Tofu
Firm tofu stands strong in a frying pan and excels as a meatless stand-in for a steak. Here again, this style encompasses several textures and as more water is pressed out of the curd, the firmer it becomes. Most firm varieties are popular in the West, so finding it is typically a cinch. Yet, if you fancy something on the far end of the spectrum such as su ji—a tofu so firm its name literally translates to “vegetarian chicken” in Chinese—your hunt may lead you to an Asian specialty store. If you have a taste for the traditional, try vegetarian potstickers, but if you like to reinvent the norm (and enjoy alliteration) give tofu tacos a go.


Tofu Skins
Also known as yuba in Japanese, tofu skins are made from successively peeling off the top layers that form while simmering soymilk. But if we’re being technical, tofu skins aren’t a tofu product at all—true tofu is made by adding a coagulant, whereas tofu skins coagulate from heat alone. Despite what they lack, tofu skins still make for a toothsome companion in many dishes! They can be found fresh or bought in a package, but if you choose the latter, you’ll need to rehydrate them before using. Serve 'em up as orange sesame yuba rolls or simply nest them in a soup. No matter how you get your hands on them, you’ll soon fall in love with their versatility and easy preparation.


Fermented Tofu
Fermented tofu may sound more dubious than delicious, but many compare its flavor to another familiar and well-loved food: cheese! It’s produced by inoculating tofu with mold, allowing the strains to proliferate for a few days, then packing it with a seasoned brine. There are many varieties of fermented tofu and each carries a distinct flavor, so be careful to follow your recipes precisely. Yet just as with cheese, you need not search long to find a dish it compliments just perfectly. Stir white fermented tofu in your bowl of congee or add red fermented tofu into a dipping sauce, destined for hot pot.


Aburaage Tofu
Mexico has the tortilla, Greece has the pita, and Poland has the pierogi—no matter where you are in the world, people enjoy stuffing their food into pockets and eating it. Aburaage is Japan’s answer to this. To make aburaage, tofu is cut into thin slices and fried until it puffs up and hollows out, ready for a variety of fillings. Although cooking with aburaage is a cinch, it’s best to boil it first to remove excess oil. Looking for something unhampered and delicious? Enter inarizushi. Or perhaps you craving a remix on your usual soup routine. This recipe for kitsune udon noodles should do the trick.


Shredded Tofu
In theory, shredded tofu is similar to other soy-based noodles, but in practice, they are light years tastier. You’ll likely spot them at an Asian specialty store sitting in their crinkly packaging, hankering to be used in any one of your usual noodle dishes. Just as with typical pastas, you’ll need to boil them first, but then it’s game on. Drizzle chili oil on top of a cold or hot shredded tofu noodle salad for a no-fail addition to your meal spread. Or drop them in the work with heaps of vegetables for a low-carb take on a noodle stir fry.



Source: www.thespruceeats.com

Tuna tartare with grapefruit vinaigrette and sorbet  Print Recipe

This light and refreshing starter perks up the palate for whatever's to come.
I think the citrus tang tastes best in summer, but you can use this recipe year-round, as long as the tuna you buy is the very best quality available.
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 1 hour
grapefruit sorbet:
1/2 cup fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup ginger, minced (if you can find the pickled variety, use that)
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tablespoons horseradish
grapefruit vinaigrette:

4 large grapefruit segments
4 Tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
1 Tablespoon ginger, minced (again, try to find pickled)
1 Tablespoon champagne vinegar
1 jalapeno, minced
1/4 Teaspoon horseradish

For the tartare:
3/4 pounds tuna
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Pinch of salt
Make grapefruit sorbet:
Combine all ingredients in an ice cream maker and process until firm.

Make grapefruit vinaigrette:
Crush grapefruit segments, then add other ingredients, including salt and pepper to taste.

For the tartare:
Chop the tuna coarsely, then, in a chilled metal bowl, combine it with the oil and salt.
To Assemble:
Pour the grapefruit vinaigrette over the tuna, toss lightly, and mold the mixture onto the center of a plate.
At Mantra, we garnish the plate with cucumbers in yogurt and marinated radishes, but feel free to add any cold salad fixings.Top with a melon ball-sized scoop of sorbet.
For an upscale touch, put a teaspoon of osetra caviar on top to finish.

Brown rice and chicken stir fry with edamame and walnuts  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts halves, thinly sliced crosswise
1 teaspoon honey
4 teaspoons oriental sesame oil
4 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups cooked short grain brown rice, cooled
2 cups shelled cooked edamame beans
2/3 cup chopped green onions
Stir walnuts in nonstick skillet over medium heat until lightly toasted. Drizzle 2 tablespoons soy sauce over walnuts; stir until soy sauce coats walnuts. Cool.
Combine chicken, 2 tablespoons soy sauce and honey; toss to coat. Let stand 15 minutes.
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add chicken and stir fry 2 minutes. Add ginger and garlic and stir fry 30 seconds. Add cooked rice and edamame; reduce heat to medium and stir fry until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Divide rice mixture among plates.
Sprinkle with green onions and walnuts

Meringues with ginger ice cream and chocolate sauce  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:1 hour 30 minutes
1 1-inch piece ginger root
2/3 cup sugar
2 cups whipping cream

Meringues:
5 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/4 cups sugar
pinch of salt

SATIN CHOCOLATE SAUCE:
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons butter

Meringues:

Grease and flour 17x11-inch jelly roll pan or line with parchment paper. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar and salt until stiff and glossy. Pipe or spoon meringues, about 1/2 inch high, into 8 individual circles.
Bake in 250 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours or until light golden. Turn off oven; let stand in oven for 1 hour.
In food processor fitted with metal blade or in blender, blend ginger with sugar. Whip cream until soft peaks form; gradually beat in half of the ginger sugar until firm. Break two of the meringues in small pieces; fold into whipped cream. Pack into airtight container and freeze for 4 hours or until set, or for up to 5 days.
Let ice cream soften in refrigerator for about 20 minutes before using.

SATIN CHOCOLATE SAUCE:
Combine chocolate, corn syrup, remaining ginger sugar and milk in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat until melted, while stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in the butter.
Stores well for up to a month in refrigerator.

To assemble, place meringues on individual plates; top with scoops of ice cream and drizzle with chocolate sauce.

Oriental lemon chicken  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
1 lb boneless chicken breast (skinless), cut into thin strips
2 tablespoons soy sauce
4 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 tablespoon cornstarch diluted in 1 tablespoon water
1 lemon (skin grated) and juiced
2 tablespoons sherry
3/4 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons celery leaves, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon granulated white sugar
salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup cooking oil
Combine chicken strips and soy sauce. Mix well and marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Heat oil. Meanwhile, dredge the chicken strips in 4 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
Fry the coated chicken pieces until color turns light brown. Do not overcook.
Remove the chicken from the pan, place in a plate, and set aside.
Drain excess oil until about 1 tablespoon is left. Saute garlic and stir in the celery leaves.
Pour in the chicken broth and sherry. Add sugar, salt, grated lemon, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir and let boil.
Pour-in the cornstarch mixed in water. Stir until the sauce thickens.
Add the fried chicken slices. Stir and cook for another minute.
Transfer to a serving plate. Serve.

Spicy peanut chicken  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
4 teaspoons smooth peanut butter
3 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons water
2 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried chili peppers
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

4 teaspoons butter
1 medium chopped onion
4 chicken breasts
In a saucepan, combine the first 8 ingredients. Mix well. Heat. Add butter and melt. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Let cool at room temperature. Arrange onion and the chicken breasts in a single layer in a shallow glass or baking dish.
Pour on the marinade and let stand, covered, for an hour or more in the refrigerator.
Cook the chicken about 7 to 8 inches from the broiler heat for about 10 minutes on each side, turning several times during the cooking process.

Tomato stack salad  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
8 Italian Roma tomatoes, cut in half
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons chiffonade of basil
1/2 small red onion, -- julienned
salt and pepper to taste
1 beefsteak tomato, -- cut into 6 slices
1 yellow beefsteak tomato, -- cut into 6 slices
8 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
4 cups assorted baby greens
4 fried green tomatoes, for top of salad
Black pepper for the rim
edible flowers
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Toss the Roma tomatoes with the olive oil. Place the tomatoes, seed side down, on a baking sheet and roast for about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool. Julienne the tomatoes.
In a mixing bowl, whisk the extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, basil and red onion together.
Add the julienned tomatoes. Season the vinaigrette with salt and pepper.
Season each side of the tomato slices with salt and pepper. Season each side of the mozzarella slices with salt and pepper. Toss the greens with 2/3 of the vinaigrette.
Reserve the remaining dressing. Alternate layering the tomatoes, cheese and greens.
Use 3 slices each of the tomatoes and cheese plus 1 cup of the greens for each salad.
Garnish each salad with the fried green tomato, remaining vinaigrette, black pepper on the rim, parsley, and edible flowers.

Brochettes of pork with rosemary  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
1 pound lean boneless pork, cubed
For marinade:
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon chopped rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon chopped parsley
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/4 ground black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 wine vinegar
Combine marinade ingredients in a glass bowl. Mix pork cubes into marinade for 1 hour. Remove pork from marinade, and thread through skewers. Broil on a charcoal grill.

Cantonese noodles  Print Recipe

Tangles of rice vermicelli, a fragrant dusting of curry powder, and a medley of Asian vegetables and proteins form the base of this Cantonese—not Singaporean—classic
Serves: 2
Preparation time:40 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
• 3½ oz. dried rice vermicelli
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 7–8 medium shrimp (3 oz.), shelled and deveined
• Kosher salt
• 2 small shallots, finely minced (¼ cup)
• One 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and minced (1 Tbsp.)
• 3 medium garlic cloves, finely minced (1 tsp.)
• 2½ tsp. yellow curry powder
• 1 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1⁄2 small yellow onion, thinly sliced with the grain (¼ cup)
• 1 medium scallion, thinly sliced (¼ cup)
• 1 stalk Chinese chives, thinly sliced (¼ cup)
• 1⁄2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (⅓ cup)
• 1⁄3 cup soybean sprouts
• 3 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp vegetable oil, divided
• 1 Tbsp. Shaoxing wine *
• 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 tsp. sesame oil
• 10-15 slices (about 3 oz.) char siu (Chinese barbecued pork) or lap cheong (Chinese sausage, thinly sliced
• Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
1. Cook the vermicelli: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, then drop the noodles in, stir well, and cook just until tender, 50–60 seconds. Drain well and set the noodles aside to dry in a large sieve for 20-30 minutes, tossing occasionally to prevent clumping.
2. Meanwhile, heat a wok over medium heat, then add a teaspoon of vegetable oil, swirling to coat the surface. Pour the eggs into the center of the wok, then immediately tilt and swirl the pan to form a thin, even layer. Cook until the egg is thoroughly set, 2-3 minutes, then transfer it to a heat-resistant cutting board and set aside until cool enough to handle. Roll the omelet up tightly, slice into ¼-inch wide strips, and set aside by the stove.
3. Return the wok to high heat and add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, swirling to coat the surface. When the oil begins to smoke, add the shrimp, season with a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring frequently, until they are pink and just barely cooked through, about 1 minute. Use a slotted spoon or a wok spatula to remove the shrimp from the wok and set them by the stove along with the sliced egg.
4. Use a dry paper towel to wipe the wok clean, then return it to high heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoon vegetable oil, swirling to coat the surface. When the oil begins to smoke, add the shallots, ginger, and garlic and cook, stirring continuously until fragrant but not yet colored, 30-60 seconds. Add the curry powder, turmeric, and a pinch of salt and continue cooking, stirring continuously, until the spices are completely incorporated into the aromatics and smell faintly toasted, 1-2 minutes. Add the onion and continue cooking just until softened, 2–3 minutes, then, add the scallions, Chinese chives, red bell pepper, and beansprouts and cook, stirring continuously, for 30 seconds. Add the reserved noodles, along with the Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Using a pair of chopsticks or tongs, lift and toss the noodles to loosen them, allowing them to fry evenly, and incorporating them with the liquids and vegetables. Add the reserved eggs, the char siu or ham, and the shrimp and give the mixture a few final tosses in the wok until the proteins are heated through. Transfer the noodle mixture to a plate, garnish with a few sprigs of cilantro, and serve immediately.
Shaoxing wine
Shaoxing wine is one of the most famous varieties of huangjiu, or traditional Chinese wines, fermented from rice. It originates from the region of Shaoxing, in the Zhejiang province of eastern China. It is widely used as both a beverage and a cooking wine in Chinese cuisine.
The best substitutes for Shaoxing Wine / Chinese Cooking Wine are:
• Dry sherry – just every day dry sherry;
• Mirin – a Japanese sweet cooking wine;
• Cooking Sake / Japanese Rice Wine – this is a bit lighter in flavor than Chinese cooking wine, but is an acceptable substitute.

Chow yuk  Print Recipe

Serves: 4
Preparation time:20 minutes
Cooking time:12 minutes
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sherry wine
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons chicken broth
1 tablespoons cornstarch
1 pound lean pork loin, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon minced garlic clove
1/4 teaspoon grated ginger
1 cup sliced onion
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup sliced red pepper
1 cup sliced snow peas
1 tablespoons canola oil
In a mixing bowl, combine the first five ingredients.
Heat a wok on high heat. Add oil. Slosh around. Stir fry pork with garlic and ginger until meat is whitish.
Add the gravy ingredients and stir until sauce is thickened. Add onion, celery and mushrooms, tossing for a while. Finely, add snow peas and mix for about 2 minutes. Serve with soy sauce.

Coriander-pepper pork chops  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
2 whole crushed garlic cloves
4 1 inch boneless pork chops
1 tablespoon crushed coriander seeds
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3 tablespoons soy sauce
Combine all ingredients except pork chops.
Place chops in a shallow dish and pour marinade over; let marinate 30 minutes.
Prepare medium-hot coals in grill bed. Remove pork from marinade, discarding marinade, and grill chops for 7-8 minutes, turning once.
Or broil chops 3-4 inches from heat source 7-8 minutes, turning once.

Edamame hummus with spiced pita chips  Print Recipe

This fresh green, creamy dip, excerpted from the cookbook The Food You Crave , has all the classic hummus flavors of garlic, cumin, and lemon. with a big citrus punch. Its smooth texture make it the perfect companion to the bold spicy shards of pita.

Hummus can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Serves: 10
Preparation time:10 minutes
2 cups frozen shelled edamame, cooked according to package directions
1 cup silken tofu, drained
1/2 tsp. salt, plus more to taste
Pinch of white pepper, plus more to taste
1-1/2 tsp. ground cumin, plus more for garnish
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbs.)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
See Recipe for Spiced pita chips



Set 1 tablespoon of the edamame aside for a garnish.
Place the rest, along with the tofu, salt, pepper, cumin, garlic, oil and lemon juice, in a food processor and process until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice, if desired.

Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and garnish with the reserved edamame and a sprinkle of cumin. Serve with the spiced pita chips
.

General tso chicken  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
for the chicken:
1 pound chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 egg white
3 tablespoons cornstarch

sauce:
1 teaspoon canola oil
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon minced ginger
few tablespoons of chopped green onion
dried red chilies (optional)
3/4 cup chicken stock or water
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/2 tablespoon chili/garlic paste
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch (for a thinner sauce, start with a tablespoon)

rice:
1 cup jasmine or basmati rice
1 3/4 cups water
generous pinch of salt
Bring the water and salt to a boil, add the rice, stir and cover. Cook for 20 minutes over low heat. Turn the heat off, let set for 10 minutes, fluff with a fork.


Cook the rice:
Bring the water and salt to a boil, add the rice, stir and cover. Cook for 20 minutes over low heat. Turn the heat off, let set for 10 minutes, fluff with a fork.

Marinate the chicken
Combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, egg white and cornstarch in a medium bowl. Whisk together to a creamy consistency.
Toss the chicken in batter to coat. Allow to sit while preparing the sauce.

Make the sauce
Heat canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic, ginger, green onions and red chiles (if using) and stir around until very fragrant - 30 seconds to a minute.
Add in the chicken stock or water.Then add the sesame oil, soy sauce, tomato paste, rice wine vinegar, chili/garlic paste, and the brown sugar. Mix this together very well and bring it up to a boil.
Adjust the taste to make the sauce spicier or sweeter adding a little more vinegar for extra tang.
Combine a few tablespoons of the the warm sauce in a measuring cup with 1 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch and whisk until there are no clumps.
Pour that mixture back into the sauce pan and let boil for a few minutes until thick.
Set the heat to low.

Cook the chicken
Heat a pan over medium high heat with a small amount of oil covering the entire bottom. Make sure the oil is very hot before you add the chicken.
Cook the chicken in multiple batches for a couple of minutes on each side to get it crisp and golden brown on all sides. Use a wire screen to cover the pan as oil may splatter.
Once a batch of chicken is cooked, set it aside on a plate.

Combine chicken and sauce in a clean pan. Mix to combine and let simmer together for a few minutes.
Serve over white rice with chopped green onion and some steamed veggies

Glazed salmon bundles with sesame bok choy  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
4 rice paper wrappers, (rounds 8-1/2 inch/21 cm)
1/4 cup shredded carrot
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion
4 skinless salmon fillets, (about 1-1/4 lb/565 g)
2 tsp vegetable oil
4 tsp hoisin sauce

Sesame Bok Choy:
2 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp granulated sugar
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
1 tbsp thinly sliced fresh ginger
2 tsp sesame seeds
1 lb (454 g) baby bok choy, quartered
Followed the instructions on the package of rice paper to soften and become pliable.
Remove and arrange in single layer on clean towel; pat dry.

Sprinkle 1 tbsp each of the carrot and green onion in center of each round; top with salmon. Tightly fold rice paper over salmon.

In ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; cook bundles until browned and crisp, 1 minute per side. Brush top and sides with hoisin sauce. Transfer to 400ºF (200ºC) oven; bake until slightly firm to the touch, about 7 minutes.

Sesame Bok Choy: Meanwhile, whisk together soy sauce, sugar and vinegar until sugar is dissolved.

In wok or skillet, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat; stir-fry garlic, ginger and sesame seeds until golden, about 2 minutes. Add bok choy and soy mixture; cover and cook until fork-tender, about 5 minutes. Serve with salmon bundles.

Honey- mustard pork roast  Print Recipe

The sweet and sour spicy sauce is a perfect complement to pork.
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:1 hour 15 minutes
1/2 cup beer
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
6 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary or 1 tablespoon dried
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 2-pound boneless pork loin roast
1/2 cup whipping cream
Whisk first 7 ingredients to blend in a baking dish. Add pork and turn to coat. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour or cover and refrigerate overnight, turning occasionally.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Transfer pork to a roasting pan; reserve marinade.
Roast until thermometer inserted into center registers 150 degrees, about 55 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes. Strain marinade into heavy medium saucepan. Add cream and juices from roasting pan.
Boil sauce until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Slice pork; arrange on platter. Drizzle some sauce over. Serve with remaining sauce separately.

Honey-hoisin grilled lamb chops  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
8 double thick lamb chops, trimmed

For the honey hoisin marinade:
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
To make the marinade:
In a medium-size bowl, mix together all the marinade ingredients. The marinade can be stored in a lidded glass jar for 4 days.
Place lamb chops in a large mixing bowl, and toss them in the marinade. Allow to marinade for one hour.
Preheat oven to broil. Remove the lamb chops from marinade, and place on a rack resting on a shallow roasting pan.
Broil as close to the heat source as possible for 6 to 8 minutes. Turn the chops over and continue broiling fro another 5 to 6 minutes.
The finished chops should be pink and juicy with a dark brown crust. Serve immediately.

Kung pao tofu  Print Recipe

Kung Pao Tofu is easy to assemble; very tasty sauce and all around great flavor
Serves: 4
Preparation time:10 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon Chinkiang (Chinese black) vinegar
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch, divided
1 pinch salt
14 to 16 ounces firm tofu (depending on package size), drained
vegetable or canola, for cooking
1 (3-inch) pieces ginger, peeled and minced
3 dried chiles (such as Thai or serrano), halved
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 scallions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon toasted, crushed Sichuan peppercorns (optional)
2 tablespoons unsalted or salted roasted peanuts
Cooked rice, for serving
1. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of water, the soy sauces, vinegar, sugar, 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, and salt until well combined.
2. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes and transfer to a large bowl. Rub with the remaining 3 tablespoons of cornstarch until all sides are lightly coated.
3. Pour enough oil to coat the bottom of a large non-stick pan and set it over medium heat. Add the tofu into the hot oil and panfry until golden brown all over, 1 to 3 minutes per side, adding more oil if the pan looks dry at any point. Transfer to a plate.
4. Using the same pan, sauté the ginger until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes, adding more oil if the pan looks dry. Add the chiles, garlic, and white parts of the scallions. Stir-fry for about 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant.
5. Add the tofu, sauce, and Sichuan peppercorns (if using), then quickly toss until the tofu is evenly coated with sauce, about 1 minute. Fold in the remaining green parts of the scallions and the peanuts.
6. Serve warm with a bowl of rice.

Spicy peanut chicken  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
4 teaspoons smooth peanut butter
3 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons water
2 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried chili peppers
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

4 teaspoons butter
1 medium chopped onion
4 chicken breasts
In a saucepan, combine the first 8 ingredients. Mix well. Heat. Add butter and melt. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Let cool at room temperature. Arrange onion and the chicken breasts in a single layer in a shallow glass or baking dish.
Pour on the marinade and let stand, covered, for an hour or more in the refrigerator.
Cook the chicken about 7 to 8 inches from the broiler heat for about 10 minutes on each side, turning several times during the cooking process.

Steamed bbq pork buns  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:14 minutes
1 tablespoon yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon oil

1 pound shredded BBQ pork
Combine the first four ingredients together. Allow to sit in a warm place 30 minutes
Place in a mixing bowl the next four ingredients, and add the above batter Knead to form a smooth elastic dough.
Allow to rise until double in size.
Sprinkle ½ teaspoon baking powder into 2 tablespoon flour onto counter top and roll out 12 balls of uniform size.
Flatten each ball and place 1 tablespoon shredded BBQ pork or beef in center,.
Steam 2″ above water and ½ ” apart for 12-14 minutes Serve warm

Sticky tofu stir-fry  Print Recipe

A most Flavorful meal! Microwave any leftovers the next day.
Serves: 4
Preparation time:15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
FOR SERVING: optional
3-4 cups (474-632 g) cooked brown rice
Steamed broccoli
TOFU
1 lb (450 g) extra-firm tofu
4 Tbsp (60 ml) tamari or soy sauce
1 tsp chili garlic sauce
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp (15 ml) coconut sugar or maple syrup
4-5 Tbsp (28-35 g) cornstarch
2 Tbsp (30 ml) canola oil

SAUCE
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 large cloves garlic, minced (1 tablespoon)
1 Tbsp (6 g) ginger, minced
1 Tbsp (15 ml) rice vinegar (or sub white vinegar)
1/4 cup (48 g) coconut sugar or maple syrup, plus more to taste
3 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce,
1/3 cup water

STIR-FRY
1 Tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil
4 green onions, chopped
1 large red or yellow pepper, thinly sliced.
1 Tbsp red pepper sauce (sriracha sauce) or 1 Tbsp chili garlic sauce
optional: Sesame seeds, for garnish
1. Prepare the rice and broccoli.
2. Chop green onions, garlic, and ginger . Set aside.
3. Prepare sauce by combining sesame oil, cornstarch, minced garlic, minced ginger, rice vinegar, coconut sugar or maple syrup, tamari or soy sauce, and water in a small mixing bowl and whisk thoroughly to combine.
4. Unwrap tofu, rinse under cold water; dry well in a towel to remove moisture and cut into even pieces, about 3/4-inch cubes.
5. Add tofu to a shallow mixing bowl and top with tamari or soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and maple syrup. Toss to combine. Let rest 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Use a slotted spoon or fork to transfer tofu to a quart-size or large freezer bag. Add cornstarch 1 Tbsp at a time and toss to coat. Continue adding more cornstarch and tossing until tofu is coated in a white sticky layer- about 5 Tbsp.
7. Heat a large metal or cast iron skillet over medium heat.
Add 2 Tbsp canola oil and heat for 30 seconds. Then use a slotted spoon or fork to add tofu to the pan.
8. Cook on all sides until light golden brown. Remove tofu from pan. Set aside.
9. Return skillet to burner and increase heat to medium-high. Add 1 Tbsp sesame oil, chopped green onions and sliced peppers . Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
10. Add the sauce and tofu with the red pepper sauce or garlic sauce. Cook, stirring frequently, to coat the tofu and vegetables for 2 minutes, or until warmed the sauce has slightly thickened.
11. Remove pan from heat and add sesame seeds (optional). Toss to coat.
12. Serve with rice and steamed broccoli (optional).

Stir-fried chicken and cashew nuts  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
4 boneless chicken breast
2 cloves minced garlic
1 ounce grated ginger
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 stalks sliced celery
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon oyster sauce
1 cup peas
1/2 cup toasted cashews
Remove skin from chicken and slice into 1 inch cubes. Combine the garlic and ginger.
Slice the mushrooms and celery into thin pieces. Heat wok. Add one half of the oil. Add the chicken cubes. stir gently over medium heat for 2 minutes. Remove from pan and keep warm.
Add remaining oil to pan. When oil is hot, add garlic, ginger and vegetables. Stir fry just until tender crisp. Return chicken to wok.
Add soy sauce, oyster sauce and peas. Stir over medium heat until sauce bubbles. Add the cashews. Serve hot.

Stir-fried chicken thighs  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
1 pound boneless chicken thighs
1/2 cup beef broth
2 teaspoons dry sherry
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 sliced green onions
1 chopped garlic clove
1 sliced green pepper
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups cooked rice
Rinse chicken thighs. Pat dry and cut into 3/4 inch pieces. Remove any visible fat. Place thigh meat in medium sized bowl. In another bowl, combine beef broth, dry sherry, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar and ginger. Pour enough of the mixture to moisten the thigh meat. Stir well. Marinate 10 minutes. Add cornstarch to remaining broth mixture. Set aside.
In wok or large skillet over high heat, heat oil. Add thigh meat, green onions, and garlic. Stir fry for 3 minutes or until browned. Add green pepper; stir fry one minute longer.
Stir remaining sauce and add to wok. Boil one minute, stirring constantly. Stir in walnuts. Serve immediately over hot rice.

Stir-fried pork tenderloin  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
2 carrots
8 slices peeled ginger, 1/8-inch thick
1/2 pound snow peas
2 scallions
2 pounds pork tenderloin
1/3 cup peanut oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons red wine (pinot noir or Burgundy wine)
1/4 cup soy sauce
Cut the carrots into julienne strips. Blanch in salted boiling water until barely tender. Drain and set aside.
Cut 8 slices of ginger on the diagonal, then cut into julienne strips. Snap off the stems from the snow peas and remove the string.
Chop the scallions including some of the green top. Cut the pork into thin slices and then into 1/4 inch strips. Stir-fry.
Heat the oil in a frying pan over high heat. Add the pork and stir while cooking. After 1 minute, add the blanched carrots, the snow peas, and the ginger. Stir and cook for 5 minutes. Add the scallions and the garlic and then the wine and the soy sauce.
Simmer for 5 minutes.

Stuffed Chinese chicken wings  Print Recipe


Serves: Serves 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
2 pounds chicken wings
1 pound shrimp
1 large bamboo shoot
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon sherry wine
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons water
1 teaspoon salt
oil for frying
Cut wings at segment joints. Discard the tips. Cut the tendons connected to the bone and push back the meat away from bone. Remove bone.
Shell and devein shrimp and chop into fine paste(food processor). Mince the bamboo shoot and garlic.
Combine shrimp, bamboo shoot, garlic, ginger, wine, soy sauce, and corn starch and fill cavity of the chicken wings.
Mix batter with remaining ingredients. Coat the stuffed wings with batter and deep fry at 375 degrees until golden brown. Serve with sweet and sour sauce.

Sweet and sour pork  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
1/3 cup honey
6 tablespoons rice vinegar
4 teaspoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 pound pork tenderloin cut into 1-inch cubes
1 teaspoon salt divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper divided
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cornstarch
2 large eggs
2 cups plus 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for frying
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup chopped white onions 3/4-inch sized pieces
1 cup chopped red bell pepper 3/4-inch sized pieces
1 cup chopped green bell pepper 1/2-inch sized pieces
1 cup pineapple chunks 3/4-inch sized pieces
2 tablespoons sliced green onion
1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
In a medium-sized bowl combine sweet and sour sauce ingredients, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and tomato paste. Set aside.
In a small bowl combine the cornstarch and water.
Season pork with 1/2 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
In a shallow dish mix together flour and 1/3 cup cornstarch.
In a separate shallow dish add eggs and whisk.
Batter each piece of pork by coating it with the flour mixture, then dip in the whisked egg, and coat in the flour mixture.
In a wok or medium sized pan, heat 2 cups of oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil reaches 350°F (180°C), work in 2 to 3 batches, adding the battered pork and frying until golden brown and pork is cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Transfer pork to a sheet pan and drain on paper towels. Fry the next batch.
Discard the oil from wok and carefully wipe the inside of the pan with paper towels to clean.
Heat wok over medium-high heat and add in 1 tablespoon oil.
Once the oil is hot add the garlic and onions, stir-fry for 30 seconds.
Add in the red and green bell peppers, and stir-fry for 1 minute.
Add in the pineapple and stir-fry for 1 minute.
Add in the pork and the sweet and sour sauce, stir to combine and allow the sauce to come to a boil.
Stir the cornstarch slurry and then add it to the pan, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, 60 seconds. Mix the ingredients with the sauce to coat the pork.
Garnish the sweet and sour pork with green onions and sesame seeds and serve over rice.

Tofu  Print Recipe

Like many soya foods, tofu originated in China. Legend has it that it was discovered about 2000 years ago by a Chinese cook who accidentally curdled soy milk when he added nigari seaweed. Introduced into Japan in the eighth century, tofu was originally called 'okabe'.
Made from curdled soybean, tofu is relatively bland in its unadulterated form, but that’s also its secret weapon—once you learn a few tips and tricks, tofu can don almost any sauce or texture .

Preparation time:0 minutes
Tofu


Tofu recipes

The 7 Main Types of Tofu And How to Cook With Them

From Firm to Silken, Know Which Type to Use


Silken Tofu
This style of tofu is complete with minimal curdling and processing, resulting in a product that is delicate in both texture and flavor. There are several ingredients that can be used to coagulate silken tofu, each producing a slightly different effect. For more jiggle and bounce, glucono delta lactone is added, whereas to achieve a softer result, nigari or gypsum is stirred in. Either way, it’s set in the same container it’s made in.
Historically, the Koreans enjoyed silken tofu in their jigae stew, while the Japanese incorporated it into hiyayakko, a simple dish made from chilled tofu and toppings with ginger, scallions, and soy sauce. Now, this doesn’t preclude silken tofu from packing a punch—it’s 40 percent protein, making it a lovely addition to your health-conscious smoothies, sauces, and even desserts.


Medium Tofu
In terms of texture, there is a range between silken and firm tofu that we’ll grant the ambiguous title of “medium.” This category of tofu has an additional step built into the process: pressing. After the soybean is sufficiently curdled, it’s transferred into a press that squeezes out most of its water. How you enjoy medium tofu is a matter of personal preference since its definition isn’t as firm (get it?) as others. That said, most agree it doesn’t hold up well when heavily handled, such as in a stir fry or on the grill. Try dropping it into miso soup or showcasing it in a Szechuan mapo tofu.


Firm Tofu
Firm tofu stands strong in a frying pan and excels as a meatless stand-in for a steak. Here again, this style encompasses several textures and as more water is pressed out of the curd, the firmer it becomes. Most firm varieties are popular in the West, so finding it is typically a cinch. Yet, if you fancy something on the far end of the spectrum such as su ji—a tofu so firm its name literally translates to “vegetarian chicken” in Chinese—your hunt may lead you to an Asian specialty store. If you have a taste for the traditional, try vegetarian potstickers, but if you like to reinvent the norm (and enjoy alliteration) give tofu tacos a go.


Tofu Skins
Also known as yuba in Japanese, tofu skins are made from successively peeling off the top layers that form while simmering soymilk. But if we’re being technical, tofu skins aren’t a tofu product at all—true tofu is made by adding a coagulant, whereas tofu skins coagulate from heat alone. Despite what they lack, tofu skins still make for a toothsome companion in many dishes! They can be found fresh or bought in a package, but if you choose the latter, you’ll need to rehydrate them before using. Serve 'em up as orange sesame yuba rolls or simply nest them in a soup. No matter how you get your hands on them, you’ll soon fall in love with their versatility and easy preparation.


Fermented Tofu
Fermented tofu may sound more dubious than delicious, but many compare its flavor to another familiar and well-loved food: cheese! It’s produced by inoculating tofu with mold, allowing the strains to proliferate for a few days, then packing it with a seasoned brine. There are many varieties of fermented tofu and each carries a distinct flavor, so be careful to follow your recipes precisely. Yet just as with cheese, you need not search long to find a dish it compliments just perfectly. Stir white fermented tofu in your bowl of congee or add red fermented tofu into a dipping sauce, destined for hot pot.


Aburaage Tofu
Mexico has the tortilla, Greece has the pita, and Poland has the pierogi—no matter where you are in the world, people enjoy stuffing their food into pockets and eating it. Aburaage is Japan’s answer to this. To make aburaage, tofu is cut into thin slices and fried until it puffs up and hollows out, ready for a variety of fillings. Although cooking with aburaage is a cinch, it’s best to boil it first to remove excess oil. Looking for something unhampered and delicious? Enter inarizushi. Or perhaps you craving a remix on your usual soup routine. This recipe for kitsune udon noodles should do the trick.


Shredded Tofu
In theory, shredded tofu is similar to other soy-based noodles, but in practice, they are light years tastier. You’ll likely spot them at an Asian specialty store sitting in their crinkly packaging, hankering to be used in any one of your usual noodle dishes. Just as with typical pastas, you’ll need to boil them first, but then it’s game on. Drizzle chili oil on top of a cold or hot shredded tofu noodle salad for a no-fail addition to your meal spread. Or drop them in the work with heaps of vegetables for a low-carb take on a noodle stir fry.



Source: www.thespruceeats.com

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