I always keep a reserve of sushi rice dressing in my pantry. Besides being available to me if the sushi urge strikes, this marinade is extremely helpful for making quick salads. The simple mixture of vinegar, sugar and salt stands up wonderfully to thinly sliced vegetables such as cucumbers or store bought broccoli slaw mix.For [...]
Decipher the differences between varieties of shoyu (Japanese soy sauces)
If you’re shopping your local supermarket for soy sauce, chances are there is a small section devoted to Asian foods and you may at most have a choice of two varieties- low sodium and regular. On a trip to your local Asian market, you’re likely [...]
If you’re vegan, there’s no need to forgo the rich style of sushi rolls that others enjoy. Here, eggplant is lightly battered and fried as a delicious main component of the roll. The roll is completed by a drizzling of tomato tofu puree, which adds a rich mayonnaise like creaminess.
Vegan Eggplant Tempura Roll
For each [...]
During the sweltering days of summer, chilled tofu can be quite a delight as a side dish. This simple marinated tofu is equally delicious unadorned or sprinkled as desired with sesame seeds and thinly chopped scallions. Serve on a chilled plate or in a bowl filled with ice cubes and citrus wedges.
Ponzu Marinated Tofu
1 pkg [...]
No matter what I’m doing- working, teaching, making a sushi demonstration- people always want to know the same thing.
They point to my well-worn black box that looks very much like a clarinet case and ask, “What’s in that box?”
That box is my knife and tool case. It houses the livelihood of my sushi life and I take [...]
One of the most rewarding parts of being a traveling sushi sensei, is the opportunity to introduce children to sushi. Unlike most adults, children are uninhibited and really open themselves to the experience. I often leave each experience feeling as though I have learned just as much I have taught.
I recently had the opportunity to [...]
Tips for introducing kids to sushi
I am often asked if it safe for children to eat sushi. The answer to this is question is absolutely. Sushi, as we all know, refers to a type of dish made with vinegar dressed rice and there are just as many varieties of sushi as there are fish in [...]
Making these treats is very similar to making the real thing. Sticky marshmallow and rice cereal mixture is spread like sushi rice with damp fingertips before being shaped into rolls with a bamboo rolling mat. Let kids in on the fun by providing bowls of their favorite fillings such as sour candies, chocolates or even [...]
Tataki is a method of quick searing over high heat. Certain fish, such as bonito, tuna and albacore tuna, benefit from this preparation. Exposing the fish to high heat firms the slightest outside portion and imparts a subtle cooked flavor to an otherwise fresh, raw center. With beef, the tataki preparation is a true [...]
The addition of sesame adds a delicious nutty dimension to the flavor of tataki as well as a spectacular presentation. This tataki is great with ponzu sauce and crispy fried wonton strips sprinkled with shichimi togarashi, Japanese 7 spice pepper. One recipe yields 1 large sashimi platter.
Sesame Beef Sashimi
1 pound high quality beef tenderloin, [...]
