Approximately 36% of Americans cook at home daily. Not only is it cheaper than eating out, but it’s also healthier. For one thing, you’ll consume fewer calories.
That’s not all—you’ll also consume less sugar, fat, and carbohydrates. In other words, your blood sugar will be less likely to spike.
Are you thinking of cooking your own dinner? Or are you looking for some easy Japanese recipes? If so, you’re at the right place.
Below, we go over how to make different homemade Japanese foods. Keep reading to learn more.
1. Japanese Egg Omelette
In a small bowl, combine 1/4 teaspoon of soy sauce, 1/8 teaspoon of dashi powder, 1/2 tablespoon of sugar, 1/8 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 cup of water. Mix until everything is dissolved.
Beat 2 large eggs in a medium bowl. Add in the soy sauce mixture and mix with a fork until well-combined.
Heat a small, rectangular pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons of oil to the pan and pour in 1/3 of the egg mixture; it should completely cover the bottom of the pan.
Gently roll the egg once it’s half-set. Once it’s rolled up, pour in another 1/3 of the egg mixture. Lift the rolled portion so that the egg mixture flows under it.
Repeat with the rest of the egg mixture.
2. Miso Soup
Prepare your ingredients. Chop one pack of firm tofu into small cubes and rehydrate 1 tablespoon of dried wakame seaweed with warm water in a bowl.
Boil 4 cups of water in a large saucepan. Add one sachet of bonito dashi stock and stir until it’s completely dissolved.
Pour a small amount of water into a smaller pan and stir in 2 tablespoons of miso paste (that’ll prevent it from being lumpy).
Add the tofu and rehydrated wakame to the bonito dashi stock. Next, add the dissolved miso paste. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Tip: Don’t let the soup boil—that’ll help retain the miso’s natural flavor.
3. Japanese Rice Balls
Rinse 3 cups of uncooked short-grain white rice in a large bowl until the water runs clear. Add it to a saucepan and pour in 3 1/2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the water is absorbed. Allow it to cool.
In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of water with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Use it to dampen your hands before handling the rice.
Place the cooked rice in your hand and press it into a triangle shape. Create a small well in the center and put in your favorite filling such as grilled salmon, chicken, tuna mayo, or pickled plums.
Mold the rice with your hands to cover the dimple and wrap the ball of rice with a sheet of nori seaweed.
4. Sushi Rolls
Bring 1 1/3 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 2/3 cups of uncooked short-grain white rice and stir. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Add the mixture to the rice.
Place one sheet of nori seaweed on a bamboo sushi mat. Spread a thin layer of rice onto the bottom using your hands and arrange your ingredients. Some popular choices include imitation crab meat, avocado, cucumber, and salmon.
Gently roll the mat over the ingredients and press down. Cut the roll into 6 pieces with a sharp knife and serve with soy sauce (search around if you want to learn the best way to eat sushi).
5. Soba Noodle Salad
To make the dressing, combine 3 tablespoons of sesame oil, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red peppers in a small saucepan.
Whisk the ingredients together and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons of soy sauce and 3 tablespoons of honey to the mixture and whisk until everything is fully dissolved.
Boil 1L of water in a pot and cook the soba noodles (2-3 bundles) according to the package instructions. Rinse the noodles under cold running water afterward—that’ll help remove the starch from the surface.
Place the soba noodles into a medium bowl. Add the dressing, 2 tablespoons of green onion and cilantro (cut into small pieces), and 1 tablespoon of roasted sesame seeds.
Toss everything together with a pair of tongs and transfer to a plate. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
6. Yakitori Chicken Skewers
Thread 6-8 bamboo skewers with 4 pieces of chicken and 3 pieces of scallion each.
In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of soy sauce, 1/4 cup of mirin, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of minced ginger, and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic. Bring to a boil and let it simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally.
Preheat a grill pan. Brush the chicken skewers with oil and grill them over high heat for about 5 minutes, turning them halfway through.
Brush the skewers with the sauce on both sides once they’re nearly cooked and grill for another 3 minutes until it’s nicely glazed.
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds over the chicken skewers and serve.
Trying Different Japanese Recipes
And there you have it—six Japanese recipes for beginners that you can try. If anything, you just need the right ingredients. Why spend money on food when you can make it yourself at home, right?
Did you enjoy this post? Are you looking for more yummy recipes? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our food and drink section!
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