Not only has Japanese food and sushi gone global, it's now gone beyond our planet!
"Their quarters were stocked with a diverse range of pre-packaged and “shelf-stable” ingredients together with pots, pans, a stove, oven, microwave, bread maker and crock-pot. Foodstuffs eaten by the explorers included vegetable sushi, jambalaya and Russian dumplings called pelmeni."
As long as a watermelon is tasty, does it matter what shape it is? Probably not! But in Japan it's a different story.
Farmers in Japan have actually figured out how to grow different shaped watermelons, such as Heart-shaped as well as Square-shape. The invention is attributed to a farmer from theisland of Shikoku as he was was trying to figure out an easier way to handle the large fruit.
If you are passionate about Japanese cuisine and you want to enjoy delicious, fresh and homemade sushi, then you will surely enjoy theses funky Sushi making kits. Aimed at beginners or anyone wanting to make near perfect sushi, these 3 kits are comprehensive and easy to use. If you have tried making sushi before, then you certainly know that spreading the correct amount of rice can be a challenging task.
Here are 3 kits that we find really interesting.
With the latest innovation of Ice Cornet in Hamamatsu in Japan, you can now feast on ice cream that is both hot and cold at the same time. This new Japanese dessert is comprised of a crispy warm bread topped with creamy frozen yogurt ice cream that is 98 percent fat free.
The delicious Japanese dessert is available in a variety of colorful flavors including Mango Yogurt, Vanilla, Chocolate, Vanilla and Chocolate, Green Apple, Blueberry, Raspberry, Blueberry and Raspberry.
When was the last time you saw a female chef behind a sushi bar? If you've never heard of Chef Niki Nakayama, listen up. Her restaurant, n/naka is reservation only, with wine & sake pairing options that will bring you to your knees. Her traditional kaiseki cuisine shows hints of California, and she's been featured in numerous forms of media, including the October 2012 issue of Wine Spectator.
Tamagoyaki has been a Japanese breakfast staple for so many years that it is widely recognized as part of the country's culinary repertoire. For those who have yet to have an authentic Japanese omelette, there is no better time than the present to become acquainted with this dish.
What is Tamagoyaki Made Of?
Just like any other kind of omelette, this one is made of eggs, except they are rolled in layers as opposed to folded over. This dish can be made as a savory preparation or as a dessert, depending on one's preference.
The Shiitake mushroom is a type of edible mushroom that is used not only in Asian cuisine, but also in traditional medicine as well. Along with the Enoki Mushrooms, Shiitake has been used in Asia for thousands of years, and people used it for a variety of reasons.
People consume the mushrooms by stir frying or using as an ingredient for hot-pots shabu shabu style.
Sushi maestro Travis Kamiyama is only on the ship 2 weeks out of the entire year...and the timing couldn't have been better. Mr. Kamiyama is the Culinary Consultant for Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's massive sailing city - the largest cruise ship on the planet.
If you've ever ordered a plate of sushi, then chances are you have encountered Wasabi Paste. It is Japan's favorite condiment, and is used to accompany many different types of Sashimi, Sushi and some noodle dishes.
With a hot, distinct flavor it adds a real zest to these otherwise mild foods. Best of all, seconds after eating your wasabi dipped sushi, you will notice the hot sensation subside. Unlike other spicy flavorings there is no lasting taste or sensations with Wasabi.
While Wasabi has an extremely "hot" flavor it is different from spices used in many other foods. Unlike spices such as Capsicum it actually stimulates the nasal passages more than the senses of the tongue. Because Wasabi is not oil based, it is very strong for a moment, but doesn't last very long.
It is generally believed that the first use of Wasabi in dishes occurred after it was found growing wild in the valleys of Mt. Mizuo, Mt. Bahun and Mt. Heike. The Wasabi was gathered and used as a condiment for venison and trout. The leaves and the stalks were also eaten as a vegetable by the locals.
Wasabi powder is the dried form of the Wasabia Japonica plant . Wasabi powder can be distinguished by its light lime coloring and sharp, hot taste and aroma. Most of the powder that it sold internationally is not actually genuine Wasabi but instead a mix of mustard, horseradish and color additives. The reason for this is the high cost and scarcity of Wasabi root. For the true Wasabi aficionado there is no substitute for real Wasabi root that has been ground into powder.
One of the big advantages Wasabi powder has over fresh Wasabi root is its relatively long shelf life. Provided that Wasabi powder is stored in a cool, shaded location, it will retain its taste. Wasabi powder can also be easily transformed into paste, as well as being used as a spice in cooking. It is often used as substitute for Dijon mustard.
Wasabi is most commonly used in either fish based dishes such as Sushi and Sashimi, or in noodle dishes such as Soba. To use Wasabi correctly you should spread the paste lightly on one side of the fish. You should then dip the other side of the fish into the soy sauce. The Wasabi should not come into contact with the soy sauce. This is typical when eating nigiri sushi.
Some people prefer to make a dipping sauce for their Wasabi. To do this they will mix a small dollop of wasabi with soy sauce, creating what's called "Wasabi-Joyu". The sushi and/or sashimi can then be dipped into this new wasabi infused soy sauce.
How to Transform Wasabi powder into a Paste in order to make Wasabi paste:
You now have sushi-ready Wasabi paste!
POGOGI loves adventure and travel almost as much as Japanese food. Our latest adventure found us on the largest cruise ship on the planet - Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas. Of course - we had to try out the sushi at Izumi.
Allure of the Seas is a massive ship which absolutely dwarfs all other vessels. It has an 83 foot zip-line, two 43 foot rock climbing walls, a skating rink, and more! It's an amazing boat to say the least.