Showing posts with label Sushi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sushi. Show all posts

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Free Inari Sushi Recipe - Making At Home

One of the most cheap as well as more popular kinds of sushi in the bazaar these days is off course the Inari Sushi. It is prepared by the stuffing of sushi rice, as well as some vegetables into the small pouches of the deep fried bean curd or else tofu, plus more popularly recognized in its Japanese word as the aburage. As an alternative of the common Nori seaweed or else soybean paper, aburage is also used in this kind of sushi. Aburage can be sold in the packets or else packaged in the cans, and is extensively distributed throughout Japanese special stores or else the supermarkets. This kind of sushi is called by a few well-known nicknames, like the pocket-sushi as well as brown-bag sushi. But what the monikers might be, this kind of sushi is very easy to make, and is also less expensive, plus tastes really very good!

Following the easy procedures below you can make your own Inari sushi in few minutes.

Inari Sushi Recipe
Ingredients needed:
4 d fried tofu portions, cut in half
2 cups ready sushi rice
3 tbsp sugar
4 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp Mirin or else sweet Japanese wine
1 and ¼ cup Dashi or else fish stock
Salt to taste
¼ cup in shreds carrots
1 tsp sesame seeds - toasted optional
Keep ginger for garnishing

Steps

1. Since tofu is deep-fried, it is very necessary to get free of the surplus oils. Do this only by soaking them in the boiling water. Cool it for some time, and then cut it them of into half. This makes the 8-tofu pouches over all.

2. Combine the soy sauce, the sugar, dashi as well as mirin in the small pan. Bring it to the boil above slow to the medium heat. Add tofu pockets to boiling sauce. Let it boil for about 15 to 20 minutes, over the slow heat, as well as completely cover it. After the 20 minutes, turn off the heat, and drain tofu. Press them dry plus set aside.

3. Mix sushi rice, the carrots, as well as toasted sesame seeds.

4. Stuff the mixture into cut tofu, cautiously folding over ends to safe it.

5. Arrange in the plate and decorate with ginger.
This recipe serves 8 of Inari Sushi

Some useful tips:
• some of the canned tofu are tested and are already cut in the serving pouches. Sso, you can do it with the simmering in the soy sauce plus the mirin mixture. Though, boiling tofu in the sauce is very ideal, as it ensure additional flavor.
• Mirin is the kind of the Japanese cookery wine, sort of the sweeter version of usual sake. The combination in making this Japanese wine generally consists of the steamed rice, shochu, and komekoji. These are fermented to create mirin. There are in fact two types of the mirin accessible in the market. Hon mirin that contains about 14 percent of alcohol. This mirin has about less than the 1 percent of alcohol, and is so more ideal in cooking. Shin Mirin is frequently bottled in addition to has the yellow gold color. It is also used to arrange seasoning for the sushi rice.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

More About Sushi

Sushi has evolved its appearance throughout the years. Amidst its different styles and types, it has nutritional value the Japanese is so proud of.
During the earlier portion of the 19th century, a major change in the creation and appearance of sushi was conceived by Hanaya Yohei. It emerged into two different styles. This includes the following:



- Kansai Style – from the city of Osaka and- Edo Style – from Tokyo
The Kansai style sushi has seasoned rice mixed with its ingredients. He produced it in decorative packages. It has more history and techniques as compared to Edo style sushi.
Edo style sushi is called Nigiri-sushi today. It is no longer wrapped; instead, it is placed inside a piece of fresh fish atop an oblong-shaped piece of seasoned rice.
Nigiri-sushi is prepared by putting a slice of raw fish into bite sized vinegar flavored rice. Nigiri sushi is also called the following names:
- finger sushi- edomae sushi
This has become popular with foreigners. It is now the common way of eating Japanese sushi. During those times, sushi was served from sushi stalls along the streets. It was meant as a snack on the go dish. Up to now, it continues to become wildly popular. From Edo, the style has spread throughout Japan.
Sushi is still in its original concept, which is via preserving the fish and fermenting it in boiled rice. Salted fish are then placed in rice that is also preserved through lactic acid fermentation. This prevents the proliferation of the bacteria. The souring of the flavor just happens during the process. Thus, the fish can be eaten once the sticky decomposed rice has been removed.
Some restaurants in Tokyo still served the original recipe of sushi. It is called nare. It is sushi made with freshwater carp.
This original type of sushi is still produced along the surrounding areas of Lake Biwa, in Western Japan. Similar types are also famous in:
- Korea- Southwestern China- Southeast Asia
Sushi has now evolved from the artful dining experiences of unique Japanese culture towards another level. New styles of sushi were influenced by the West. New styles of sushi can be tasted as the California rolls as well. In fact, the demand for sushi still increases as it continues to evolve.
Sushi is Healthy
Sushi is one of the best sources of nutrition available. This is because of its seafood content. It is packed with:
- Protein - Dense with nutrients- Low in fat
Sushi is also the best source of lean protein. Fat is also available is in the form of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids not only pose as a nutritional requirement but also promise the re-mediating of many ailments like cardio vascular diseases.
Thus, seaweed wraps used in rolls, called nori, are rich in necessary vitamins and minerals. Wasabi and ginger have antibacterial qualities. Among the two, ginger is generally regarded as the aiding factor in digestion and in improving circulation.
For a long period of time, sushi has gone through an interesting evolution from a simple dish. Sushi was first mentioned in China during the 2nd century, A.D. Back then, they preserved fish by placing it in rice and fermenting it. This makes the fish edible for some time. However, only the fish can be eaten, not the rice. This food preservation method spread throughout China and made its way to Japan during the 7th century.
Since Japan is an island that is surrounded by seas and mountains, they have varieties of fresh fish and shellfish. Their rich lands are cultivated with rice and a few other crops. This is why Japanese people feed themselves with fishes and rice.
Moreover, the concept of fish preparation in Japan is suggested by a proverb that goes: “Eat it raw first then grill it, and boil it as the end resort”. Since the taste and texture of the fish is best appreciated when it is very fresh and eaten raw, cleaned raw fish were still pressed between layers of salt. A stone is also placed on top for added weight. After some weeks, the stone is removed and a light cover will replace it. After few months, the fermented fish and rice can be eaten.

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Smoked Salmon on a Budget

Many consider smoked salmon to be a very great tasting treat that is too expensive for the budget of the average person. Until recently most people only got to experience the rich taste of high quality smoked fish at expensive brunches or fancy dinner parties. Now, thanks to the internet, it is possible to find a wide variety of salmon gifts online without going outside of your budget.

The first thing that comes to mind when most people think of smoked salmon is lox. Lox is the word used to refer to a salmon fillet that is being served cold. Cold salmon that has been smoked might not sound particularly appetizing to most people but it is a delicious treat. Lox can be added to the breakfast or brunch table to help celebrate a birthday, holiday, or special event.
Some people think that lox is too ordinary a food to be considered appropriate for a gourmet gift basket. Instead of giving up on the idea of giving the gift of a gourmet salmon gift basket instead expand upon the variety of items contained in the gift basket. Lox is not the only type of smoked salmon available that can be used as a gift. Salmon jerky is a delicious snack food that is great for an elegant picnic or lunch.
There are many different types of smoked salmon that are now available and can be ordered through the Internet. The less expensive type of salmon that is more commonly seen is the type of salmon that has been farm raised. The salmon used to make farm raised smoked salmon has been raised in a controlled environment solely for consumption. It is usually a bit fattier and because is usually the more affordable variety of smoked salmon.
The other type of smoked salmon that is available is the type that is made using wild salmon. Wild salmon is the type of salmon that has been caught traditionally. This salmon has been allowed to breed and migrate naturally and consuming wild salmon is considered to be better for the environment. It also is widely reputed to have the better taste. Wild salmon that has been smoked has a great flavor and is leaner making it healthier for the consumer.
In addition to choosing between wild and farm raised salmon consumers must also choose between Alaskan and Atlantic salmon. For many who consume smoked salmon on a regular basis there is no contest. Alaskan salmon is considered to be the better choice. Alaskan salmon that has been smoked produces a vibrant color. In addition to have a beautiful color it has a richer taste and there are many varieties of Alaskan salmon available for smoking.
If deciding between the options is impossible why not purchasing custom made smoked salmon gift basket? This will give any curious consumer the chance to sample different types of salmon and the items that has been prepared by smoking. Taste some farm raised lox, a bit of wild smoked salmon jerky, and everything else that seems interesting without breaking the bank.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

How to Make Inari Sushi

One of the cheaper and more popular types of sushi in the market nowadays is the Inari Sushi. It is made by stuffing sushi rice, and even some vegetables into small pouches of deep fried bean curd or tofu, also more popularly known in its Japanese term as aburage. Instead of the usual Nori seaweed or soybean paper, aburage is used in this sushi. Aburage can either be sold in packets or packaged in cans, and is widely distributed throughout most Japanese specialty stores or supermarkets. This type of sushi is also called by some famous nicknames, like pocket-sushi and brown-bag sushi. But whatever the monikers may be, this type of sushi is easy to make, less expensive, and tastes really good!Following the simple procedures below can have you making your own Inari sushi in no time.Inari Sushi Rice RecipesIngredients:4 deep fried tofu pieces, cut into half2 cups prepared sushi rice3 tablespoons sugar4 tablespoons soy sauce3 tablespoons Mirin or sweet Japanese cooking wine1 and ¼ cup Dashi or fish stockSalt¼ cup shredded carrots (par-boiled)1 teaspoon sesame seeds (toasted) optionalPickled ginger (for garnish)Steps1. Since the tofu is deep-fried, it is necessary to get rid of the excess oils. Do this by soaking them in boiling water. Cool for a while, and then cut them into half. This makes 8 tofu pouches in all.2. Combine soy sauce, sugar, dashi and mirin in a small pan. Bring to a boil over slow to medium heat. Add the tofu pockets to the boiling sauce. Let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, over slow heat, and completely covered. After 20 minutes, turn off heat, and drain the tofu. Squeeze them dry and set aside.3. Combine sushi rice, carrots, and the toasted sesame seeds.4. Stuff the rice mixture into the cut tofu, carefully folding over the ends to secure it.5. Arrange in a plate and garnish with the pickled ginger.This recipe yields 8 servings of Inari SushiSome useful tips:• Some canned tofu are seasoned and already cut into serving pouches. Therefore, you can do away with the simmering in soy-sauce and mirin mixture. However, boiling the tofu in the sauce is most ideal, as it will ensure more flavor.• Mirin is a kind of Japanese cooking wine, sort of a sweeter version of the usual sake. The mixture in making this wine usually consists of steamed mochigome rice, shochu (Japanese liquor), and komekoji (rice yeast). These are then fermented to make mirin. There are actually two types of mirin available in the market. Hon mirin contains 14 percent alcohol. Shin mirin has less than 1 percent alcohol, and is therefore more ideal for cooking. Shin Mirin is often bottled and has a yellow gold color. Mirin is also used to prepare seasoning for sushi rice.• Aburage is often confused with Atsuage. While both are soybean products, and are deep fried, aburage is of the thinner variety. Atsuage is also triangular in shape, thick, and ideal for simmered soups, added in stir fries, or served with soy sauce. Aburage is often shaped into squares and rectangles. This makes the aburage perfect when stuffed with sushi rice and made into Inari Sushi.• Dashi or fish stock is relatively easy to make. A cup of Katsuobushi or dried fish flakes can be combined with 2-3 cups of water, and then boiled over low heat. Then the fish flakes can be strained to retain the fish stock.