Cuisine: Japanese

Spicy Miso Ramen

I got a text from my friend Barbee in San Francisco asking if she could substitute white miso paste for red. She was making this Spicy Miso Ramen that she found in an article titled Selena Gomez Dishes on Her Favorite 'Comfort Foods' and Learning to Cook in Quarantine in People magazine!
Miso Paste 101
Red miso is the saltiest, most pungent variety. You only need a little bit to add some serious umami to your dishes. It's typically made with fermented soybeans and barley or another grain and is saltier than white miso. It ranges from dark brown to red in color
White miso (which is actually light yellow in color) is made with fermented soy beans and rice. It's fermented for a short period of time, which makes it more mild and sweet in taste. Since it's the most mild kind of miso, it's also the most versatile. If you're buying only one miso to use in a bunch of recipes, this is the best choice.

Anyway, she said it was absolutely delicious!

By Leslie Blythe

Japanese Potato Salad

Japanese Potato Salad is unique in that it is half mashed and half chunky, which gives it a creamier texture. It has grated carrots, cucumbers, scallions and diced ham. To emulate Kewpie mayonnaise, you add a little bit of sugar. The Yukon Gold potatoes I used where particularly gold in color!

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Japanese Vegetable Pancakes

My friend Jessica made these Japanese Vegetable Pancakes, which are known as Okonomiyaki in Japan. They are savory pancakes that have shredded cabbage and a variety of vegetables in a flour-based batter. The name is derived from the word okonomi, meaning "how you like" or "what you like", and yaki meaning "cooked".

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Ginger Miso Udon

I was shopping at Trader Joe's recently and this Miso Ginger Broth caught my attention. I thought I would make  Ginger Miso Udon with it. If you can't find this broth, I have included a recipe to make it from scratch. You can add any number of things to this soup like tofu, chicken, pork, bok choy, etc.

By Leslie Blythe

Japanese Deviled Eggs

I created these Japanese Deviled Eggs yesterday for a dinner party we went to. The eggs are marinated in soy sauce, mirin, garlic, and ginger. I love experimenting with new versions of a classic dish.

By Leslie Blythe

Japanese Chicken Curry

Curry is not an original cuisine from Japan. It was introduced to Japan during the Meiji era (1868–1912) by the British. It has become a staple meal of the Japanese. It’s actually more like a hearty stew than a typical curry. The curry is thickened with roux. You can buy Japanese curry blocks, which makes it easier to make, but they contain excessive amounts of fat and MSG. They also sell it without MSG, but it’s way better to make it from scratch. This Japanese Chicken Curry is a true comfort food served over rice.

By Leslie Blythe

Asparagus with Sesame-Vinegar Dressing

I bought a new Japanese cookbook (I have quite a few!) called Japan from Japan: The Cookbook, by Nancy Singelton Hachisu. It has lots of wonderful looking recipes. I happen to love asparagus so I made this Asparagus with Sesame-Vinegar Dressing. I love anything that can be made ahead.

By Leslie Blythe

Grilled Scallops with Yuzu Koshu Vinaigrette

These Grilled Scallops with Yuzu Koshu Vinaigrette are very quick and easy to make on the grill or in a cast iron skillet. Yuzu kosho (available in Asian markets or on Amazon) is a Japanese condiment made from fresh green or red chiles then fermented with salt along with zest and juice from yuzu, a tart and fragrant citrus fruit that grows in East Asia. My husband is addicted to yuzu! The combination of chiles, citrus, and salt has a distinctive flavor that enlivens a dish.

By Leslie Blythe

Carrot with Smashed Tofu and Sesame

This Carrot with Smashed Tofu and Sesame salad is a recipe from Japan, The Cookbook by Nancy Singleton Hachisu. She is a native Californian and has lived with her Japanese farmer husband and three sons in their 80-year-old traditional farmhouse for the last 27 years in rural Japan. She moved from California to Japan in 1988. This cookbook is Japanese cooking for the home cook. I have many Japanese cookbooks. It's a thing of beauty.

By Leslie Blythe

Shabu Shabu

What is shabu shabu? It’s a Japanese hot pot, featuring paper-thin slices of meat and fresh vegetables cooked together in a large open pot.The best thing about shabu shabu is that the ingredients can be customized to your own taste and preferences, from a wagyu beef to healthy vegetables.

By Leslie Blythe