Japanese-style One-pot Supper

RECIPE

Prep and Cook Time: about 20 minutes. Notes: Look for dried bean-thread noodles, mirin (sweet sake or rice wine), and Sriracha (Southeast Asian hot chile sauce) in the Asian section of the supermarket.

Yield
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients
3 ounces dried bean-thread noodles (saifun or cellophane noodles; see Notes)
5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup mirin (see Notes) or cream sherry
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
3 to 5 thin slices peeled fresh ginger
12 ounces boned, skinned, chicken thigh meat, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-in. chunks
1 small red bell pepper, seeded, stemmed, and cut into thin slices
4 ounces sugar snap or snow peas
4 ounces button mushrooms, sliced
8 ounces firm tofu, drained and cut into 1-in. cubes
3 green onions (green and white parts), cut into 1-in. lengths
Sriracha (see Notes)

Preparation
1. In a small bowl, soak bean-thread noodles in boiling water until soft, about 5 minutes. Drain and cut into 6- to 10-in. lengths.

2. In a 5- to 6-qt. pot or a 12-in. frying pan (with sides at least 2 in. high), bring broth, mirin, soy sauce, sugar, and ginger to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 5 minutes.

3. Arrange noodles, chicken, bell pepper, peas, mushrooms, tofu, and green onions in separate piles in the pot. Cover and simmer, without stirring, until chicken chunks are no longer pink in the center (cut one to test), about 5 minutes. Set pot on the table so people can serve themselves, with Sriracha on the side.

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Nutritional Information
Calories:363 (15% from fat)
Protein:28g
Fat:5.9g (sat 1.3)
Carbohydrate:42g
Fiber:2.5g
Sodium:1827mg
Cholesterol:71mg

Japanese cooking@home
by cooking lover

Udon Soup with Shrimp

RECIPE

Although homemade dashi (Japanese seaweed broth) is part of the easy beauty of this dish, you can substitute instant dashi in a pinch. If you take that shortcut, infuse the broth with fresh ginger.

Yield
4 servings

Ingredients
2 large sheets kombu (kelp)2 quarts cold water1 cup bonito flakes (about 1/4 ounce)1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced1 ounce dried mushroom blend
1 (14-ounce) package fresh jumbo udon noodles
2 green onions, trimmed
1 tablespoon sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

Preparation
1. Wipe kombu clean with a cloth; cut sheeting lengthwise into 3-inch pieces. Place kombu in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; cover with 2 quarts cold water. Heat mixture to 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil). Reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes. Remove from heat; discard kombu. Stir in bonito and ginger; let stand 10 minutes or until bonito sinks. Strain through a cheesecloth-lined colander over a bowl; discard solids.

2. Wipe pan clean. Return broth to pan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in mushrooms; let stand 20 minutes. Strain mixture through a cheesecloth-lined colander over a bowl, reserving mushrooms and broth. Wipe pan clean. Return broth to pan; bring to a simmer. Coarsely chop mushrooms.

3. Cook noodles according to package directions; drain. Cut onions into 1-inch pieces; cut each piece in half lengthwise. Cut onion pieces lengthwise into thin strips. Combine sugar, soy sauce, and vinegar in a small bowl, stirring well. Add shrimp to broth; cook 1 minute. Stir in mushrooms; cook 30 seconds. Remove from heat; stir in vinegar mixture. Place about 1 cup noodles in each of 4 bowls; top with 2 cups broth mixture. Divide onion strips evenly among bowls.

Nutritional Information
Calories:429
Fat:3g (sat 0.5g,mono 0.4g,poly 1.2g)
Protein:28.9g
Carbohydrate:65.5g
Fiber:2.2g
Cholesterol:147mg
Iron:4.3mg
Sodium:994mg
Calcium:74mg

Japanese cooking@home
by cooking lover

Japanese Beef Bowl

RECIPE

A simple weeknight dinner full of flavor. Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes. Notes: To slice beef thinly, wrap and place in freezer for 30 minutes before cutting.

Yield
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients
2 cups short- or medium-grain rice
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons sake
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon oil
1 pound beef sirloin, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Pickled ginger slices (optional)

Preparation
1. In a 4-quart pan, bring 3 cups water to a boil. Add rice and salt. Cover and reduce heat to simmer, then cook until almost tender, 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

2. In a small pan, bring soy sauce, sugar, sake, and 3/4 cup water to a boil. Remove from heat and reserve.

3. In a 10-inch frying pan over high heat, cook onion in oil until it begins to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add beef and continue stirring for 2 minutes, then add 1/2 cup of soy-sake sauce and stir until beef is cooked, 2 minutes longer.

4. Divide rice among 4 bowls. Top with beef, remaining sauce, and cilantro. Serve with ginger, if desired.

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Nutritional Information
Calories:687 (28% from fat)
Protein:30g
Fat:21g (sat 7.4)
Carbohydrate:90g
Fiber:1.5g
Sodium:2003mg
Cholesterol:76mg

Japanese cooking@home
by cooking lover

Tofu-Carrot Ginger Dressing with Miso

RECIPE

Similar to the dressing served on iceberg lettuce in Japanese restaurants, this is equally good on salads and as a marinade. Any silken tofu will work in this recipe and provide a smooth consistency.

Yield
1 1/4 cups (serving size: 2 tablespoons)

Ingredients
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/2 cup silken tofu
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons yellow miso (soybean paste)
2 teaspoons chopped peeled fresh ginger
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 garlic clove, crushed

Preparation
Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor; process until smooth.

Nutritional Information
Calories:33 (52% from fat)
Fat:1.9g (sat 0.3g,mono 0.4g,poly 1.1g)
Protein:1.1g
Carbohydrate:2.9g
Fiber:0.4g
Cholesterol:0.0mg
Iron:0.2mg
Sodium:186mg
Calcium:9mg

Japanese cooking@home
by cooking lover