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

Turkey Pot Stickers

RECIPE

Dim sum, a popular dining tradition in China's Canton province, consists of many small dishes, including bite-sized dumplings like these. You can assemble these ahead and cook them just before serving. If you can't find gyoza skins, you can substitute won ton wrappers.

Yield
8 servings (serving size: 3 pot stickers and about 2 teaspoons dipping sauce)

Ingredients
Dipping sauce:
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
Dumplings:
1 cup sliced shiitake mushroom caps
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup sliced carrot
2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 large egg whites, lightly beaten
2 cups chopped skinned cooked turkey
24 (4-inch) gyoza skins
2 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided
1/2 cup water, divided

Preparation
To prepare dipping sauce, combine first 5 ingredients, stirring well with a whisk.

To prepare dumplings, place mushrooms, onions, carrot, ginger, and vinegar in a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped, scraping sides. Combine mushroom mixture and egg whites in a large bowl; add turkey, stirring until combined.

Working with 1 gyoza skin at a time (cover remaining skins to keep from drying), spoon about 1 tablespoon turkey mixture into center of each skin. Moisten edges of skin with water. Fold in half, pinching edges together to seal. Place dumpling on a baking sheet (cover loosely with a towel to keep from drying). Repeat procedure with remaining skins and turkey mixture.

Heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange half of dumplings in pan; cover and cook 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Turn dumplings; add 1/4 cup water. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from pan; keep warm.

Wipe pan dry with a paper towel. Repeat procedure with remaining vegetable oil, dumplings, and water. Serve warm with dipping sauce.

Nutritional Information
Calories:144 (16% from fat)
Fat:2.5g (sat 0.5g,mono 0.5g,poly 1g)
Protein:12.7g
Carbohydrate:16.5g
Fiber:0.9g
Cholesterol:30mg
Iron:1.6mg
Sodium:332mg
Calcium:25mg

Japanese cooking@home
by cooking lover

Szechuan Spicy Eggplant

RECIPE

Eggplant is yin. Cooking it with yang ingredients like chili-garlic paste, pork, and fresh ginger balances the dish.

Yield
serves 4

Ingredients
1 pound Japanese (or small) eggplant, halved and cut diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon mirin (sweet rice wine)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons chili-garlic paste
1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger
1/4 cup lean ground pork
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation
Arrange eggplant in a vegetable steamer. Steam, covered, 5 minutes, or until eggplant is tender; set aside.

Whisk broth and next 5 ingredients (through paste) in a bowl.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger; stir-fry 30 seconds. Add pork; stir-fry 2 minutes, or until pork loses its pink color. Add eggplant and salt; stir in the broth mixture. Cover; reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.

Nutritional Information
Calories:155
Fat:6g (sat 2g,mono 2g,poly 1g)
Cholesterol:19mg
Protein:7g
Carbohydrate:18g
Fiber:3g
Iron:1mg
Sodium:461mg
Calcium:21mg

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

Japanese-Style Daikon and Carrot Pickles

RECIPE

Lime-spiked vegetables work well as a relish with grilled tuna or salmon. Daikons are long, white, tubular Asian radishes with a pungent smell and a mild flavor. Look for them in gourmet markets and Asian groceries.

Yield
10 servings (serving size: about 1/2 cup drained pickles)

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds daikon radishes, peeled
1 1/4 pounds carrots, peeled
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons grated orange rind

Preparation
1. Hold each radish by the tip end. Shave radishes into ribbons with a vegetable peeler to measure 4 1/2 cups. Repeat procedure with carrots, shaving to measure 6 cups. Combine radishes, carrots, vinegar, and remaining ingredients in a large bowl, tossing to coat. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 days.

Nutritional Information
Calories:53 (17% from fat)
Fat:1g (sat 0.2g,mono 0.3g,poly 0.4g)
Protein:1.2g
Carbohydrate:10.1g
Fiber:3g
Cholesterol:0.0mg
Iron:0.5mg
Sodium:193mg
Calcium:38mg

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

Yakitori

RECIPE

These charcoal-grilled chicken skewers are a popular street food throughout Japan; there, the chicken may be joined by chicken gizzards and hard-boiled quail eggs. The sauce also works well on pork, fish, or beef. Prep and Cook Time: 35 minutes, plus at least 1 hour to marinate. Notes: You will need 8 wooden or metal skewers (10 in.) for this recipe; if using wooden, soak 30 minutes.

Yield
Makes 8 appetizer servings

Ingredients
1 cup mirin
1/3 cup sake (rice wine)
1/2 cup superfine sugar
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 pounds boned, skinned chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2-in. pieces

Preparation
1. In a medium saucepan, combine mirin, sake, sugar, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until sugar has dissolved and sauce has thickened slightly, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

2. Put chicken in a large bowl, pour marinade over it, and turn to coat. Chill at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.

3. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for medium heat (350° to 450°; you can hold your hand 5 in. above cooking grate only 5 to 7 seconds). Thread chicken onto skewers. Transfer marinade to a small saucepan and boil over high heat until it has the consistency of barbecue sauce, about 15 minutes.

4. Grill skewers (cover if using gas), basting with thickened marinade and turning frequently to prevent scorching, until chicken is caramelized and no longer pink in center (cut to test), about 6 minutes. Serve with remaining sauce on the side.

Note: Nutritional analysis is per skewer.

Nutritional Information
Calories:274 (15% from fat)
Protein:23g
Fat:4.5g (sat 1.1)
Carbohydrate:26g
Fiber:0.0g
Sodium:613mg
Cholesterol:94mg

Japanese cooking@home
by cooking lover