Since Japan is made up of islands, seafood is a huge part of Japanese cuisine. While the most common types of seafood that Westerners encounter in Japanese cooking are sushi and sashimi, the Japanese love to eat seafood in all kinds of different ways. Here are some stellar recipes that combine Western and Japanese sensibilities to make some truly tasty meals.
Mussels in Wasabi Cream Sauce
Mussels in a creamy sauce is a typical dish often seen in French or Italian cooking, but here we’ve added some wasabi for a hot and spicy Japanese twist. You simply steam the mussels as normal, add some sake, and then simmer in the prepared wasabi cream sauce. Serve on their own or with a side of your choosing!
Sea Urchin Mac and Cheese
For a truly decadent dish, our sea urchin mac and cheese recipe turns a simple classic into a gourmet meal. Start by making the macaroni and cheese sauce as normal, then saute up some bacon with garlic to mix in. Divvy this up into individual ramekins, and top with slices of delectable sea urchin, some additional cheese and breadcrumbs. This gets baked in the oven for 20-25 minutes and then topped with more sea urchin, yum!
Japanese Mixed Rice With Clams
This recipe is so simple, but it turns fancy when you add the clams. First, you follow a basic step to make the traditional rice, using these main Japanese staples: dashi, soy sauce, sake and mirin. Then, you add some mushrooms and cook the rice as normal. Once the rice is fully cooked, simply add the clams, steam until they are fully opened, serve and enjoy! It is a delicious meal perfect for any night of the week.
With these special seafood recipes, you can feel like a gourmet chef by adding a few different ingredients to classic dishes. The recipes are easy and great for impressing guests or loved ones. Try them out today!