Yuzu yokan with pieces of yuzu peel is a traditional Japanese sweet made by adding yuzu peel to sweet bean jelly. It is characterized by an elegant flavor that balances sweetness with a refreshing aroma and a slight bitterness. The smooth texture is complemented by the subtle chewiness of the yuzu peel, and its appearance is visually appealing. It is often enjoyed with green tea.
Japanese Ebi Furai is a dish where shrimp is coated in batter and deep-fried, resulting in a crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior. Typically, the shrimp is peeled, deveined, and seasoned with salt and pepper, then coated in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs before being fried. Ebi Furai is often served with tartar sauce, and commonly accompanied by shredded cabbage, rice, and miso soup. It is a popular dish in home cooking, casual eateries, and restaurants.
Japanese tartar sauce is slightly different from the typical Western version, as it incorporates Japanese ingredients. Its characteristics include the use of Japanese mayonnaise, onions, boiled eggs, and cucumbers instead of pickles. To add sweetness, sugar and soy sauce are often used. If acidity is needed, a small amount of lemon or rice vinegar may be added. Japanese tartar sauce is commonly used in home cooking and Western-style restaurants, providing a mild and rich flavor that complements dishes. It is often paired with simple fried foods and fish dishes.
Mackerel simmered in miso (鯖の味噌煮) is a traditional Japanese dish made by gently cooking mackerel in a savory sauce of miso paste, sake, mirin, sugar, and ginger.
The miso gives the dish a rich, slightly sweet and salty flavor, while ginger helps remove any fishy smell.
It is commonly served as a home-style meal and eaten with rice.
Shabu-shabu (しゃぶしゃぶ) is a Japanese hot pot dish. It is named after the sound “shabu shabu,” which describes the swishing motion used when cooking the meat in hot broth. A pot of water or light broth, usually flavored with kombu (kelp), is heated at the table. Thinly sliced meat, such as beef or pork, is briefly swished in the hot liquid until just cooked. Vegetables like napa cabbage, mushrooms, tofu, and leafy greens are also cooked in the pot.
The cooked meat and vegetables are dipped in sauces, most commonly ponzu (a citrus soy sauce) or sesame sauce, before eating. Because the meat is cooked very quickly, it stays tender and light. Shabu-shabu is often enjoyed as a social meal, where everyone cooks and eats together, especially during colder seasons in Japan.
This is a tofu croquette recipe filled with a variety of vegetables. To boost the protein content, tofu and ground soy meat are used, but it can also be deliciously customized with additions such as cheese or tempeh.
Crispy on the outside and light and tender on the inside, these croquettes offer a gentle balance of vegetable sweetness and savory flavor. Although fried, they feel surprisingly light, making them a great choice for those seeking a healthier, plant-based option. They work well as a main dish, a light appetizer, or even as a bento side.
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Menu:
– Miso soup [Recipe]
– Japanese rice topped with seasoned kelp [Recipe]
− Baked Salmon with Butter, Cheese, and Soy Sauce
– Simmered Eggplant with Shirasu
– Pickled Daikon and Celery
Paired tea:
– YUCa’s Tea : Uji-Cha (Matcha)
Menu:
– Miso soup
– Japanese rice
− Tempura
– Tempura dipping sauce
– Matcha salt
Paired tea:
– YUCa’s Tea : Uji-Cha (Matcha)
Menu:
– Miso soup with shimeji mushrooms and fried tofu [Recipe]
– Brown rice with grains
– Tatsuta-age of Mackerel
– Kimpira with lotus root, carrot and chikuwa fish cake [Recipe]
− Pickles with cabbage, carrot and cucumber
Paired tea:
– YUCa’s Tea : Tosa Cha
Menu:
– Sumashijiru with gyoza dumplings [Recipe]
– Japanese fried rice [Recipe]
− Hijiki seaweed salad [Recipe]
– Pickled cucumber, daikon and carrot
Paired tea:
– YUCa’s Tea : Uji-Cha (Matcha)
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