Category: Soups and Stews

Japanese Cooking – History, Health Benefits and Recipes

Tom

Japanese Cooking - History, Health Benefits and Recipes Japanese Cooking – History, Health Benefits and Recipes

Japanese cooking (Japanese cuisine, also known as “Washoku” 和食 (和食 – 和 meaning ‘Japan’ or ‘harmony,’ 食 meaning ‘food’ or ‘to eat’), has become increasingly popular worldwide for its healthy and delicious dishes. Washoku is a combination of traditional Japanese cooking techniques and modern influences and it refers to the classic Japanese cuisine that focuses on the harmony of ingredients that are both visually appealing and nutritious. In this blog post, we’ll briefly explore the history of Japanese cooking, its health benefits and share four easy-to-make Japanese recipes.

Ever since my fascination with Asian cooking began, I’ve ordered everything I need from Weee!, a great website for buying Japanese ingredients (and all Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino and Indian ingredients) at prices that are almost always less than Amazon and Brick and Mortar stores. And if you use this link, you’ll get $20 off your first two orders and free delivery for orders over $49! They offer an incredible array of high-quality ingredients (including everything needed for the recipes below…in fact, everything you need for every recipe), from miso paste and soy sauce to seaweed and rice vinegar, at competitive prices. Their website is easy to use and navigate, and their mobile app is even more convenient. You can find everything you need and make a purchase with just a few clicks. With Weee!, you can be assured that you are getting authentic Japanese ingredients delivered right to your doorstep, saving you time and effort from going to physical stores. Plus, they offer fast and reliable shipping, making it a great option for those who may not have access to Japanese markets in their local area. Overall, Weee! is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to elevate their Japanese cooking game with high-quality ingredients.

History of Japanese Cooking

Japanese cuisine dates back to the Jomon period, around 10,000 BC. During this time, people lived as hunter-gatherers and used fire to cook their food. The introduction of rice cultivation during the Yayoi period (300 BC – 300 AD) marked a significant change in Japanese cuisine. Rice became a staple food, and people began using soybeans to make miso and soy sauce.

During the Heian period (794-1185), Japanese aristocrats began hosting elaborate banquets, where food was not only served but presented as an art form. This era also saw the introduction of Buddhist vegetarianism, which influenced the development of meat-free dishes such as shojin ryori.

The Edo period (1603-1868) was a time of peace and prosperity in Japan, and it marked the development of modern Japanese cuisine. During this period, sushi and tempura were invented, and the use of chopsticks became widespread.

Today, Japanese cuisine is a fusion of traditional and modern cooking techniques. It is heavily influenced by regional ingredients, such as seafood in coastal regions and vegetables in mountainous areas.

Health Benefits of Japanese Cooking

Japanese cuisine is known for its health benefits. Many dishes are low in calories and high in nutrients, making them an excellent choice for those looking to maintain a healthy diet. Here are some of the health benefits of Japanese cooking:

  1. High in Nutrients: Japanese dishes are often made with nutrient-rich ingredients such as seafood, tofu, and vegetables. These ingredients are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are beneficial for overall health.
  2. Low in Calories: Japanese cuisine is known for its low-calorie dishes. Many Japanese dishes are steamed or grilled, which helps to preserve the nutrients in the food while keeping the calories low.
  3. Heart-Healthy: Japanese cuisine is also known for its heart-healthy dishes. The use of fish and soy products, such as tofu and miso, is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
  4. Boosts Immunity: The use of fermented foods, such as miso and pickles, is common in Japanese cuisine. These foods contain beneficial bacteria that help to boost the immune system.
  5. Fresh, seasonal ingredients: Japanese cooking is known for its use of fresh, seasonal ingredients. This means that the dishes are not only healthier, but they also taste better.
  6. Low in processed foods and unhealthy fats: Japanese cooking is also low in processed foods and unhealthy fats. This makes it a good choice for people who are looking to improve their overall health and well-being.
  7. Beautiful and intricate dishes: Japanese dishes are often works of art, and they can be a joy to both eat and look at. This is one of the reasons why Japanese cuisine is so popular with foodies all over the world.
  8. A great way to learn about Japanese culture: When you cook Japanese dishes, you are not only learning about the ingredients and cooking methods, but you are also learning about the history and traditions of Japan. This can be a great way to connect with your heritage or to learn about another culture.

3 Easy-to-Make Japanese Recipes

Now that we’ve briefly covered the history and health benefits of Japanese cuisine, let’s get to the fun part – cooking! Here are four easy-to-make Japanese recipes that you can try at home: Read More …

Quick & Easy Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

Tom

Instant Pot Red Beans and RiceIf you crave New Orleans food, you love Red Beans and Rice. It was traditionally served on Mondays in Louisiana, which was Wash Day, because a pot of beans could sit on the stove and simmer all day long while the women were busy scrubbing clothes. Now, with the invention of the Instant Pot, Red Beans and Rice can be prepared and served in about an hour or two from start to finish (and most of that time is just waiting for the Instant Pot to do its magic). This authentic, yet simple, New Orleans recipe is great for parties and large gatherings and it actually tastes better the next day.

Soaking beans overnight before cooking is recommended to remove some of the indigestible sugars responsible for beans’ infamous flatulence issues, and it’s also said to reduce cooking times. I found that a quick-soak of the dry red beans in the Instant Pot (see directions below) is just as good as an overnight soaking and allows you whip up a delicious pot of red beans on the spot, without having to remember to start soaking them the night before.

Click Read More for the printable recipe…

Read More …

Everything You Can Do With a Can of Chickpeas | Serious Eats

Tom

I love chickpeas…they’re inexpensive, healthy and incredibly versatile. Awhile back I posted my favorite recipe for Crispy Roasted Garbanzo Beans, but here are some other great ways to use them, courtesy of one of my favorite websites, Serious Eats. Follow the link below to check them out.

Source: Everything You Can Do With a Can of Chickpeas | Serious Eats

Tip of the Day – Save Your Parmesan Rinds

Tom

parmesan rindAfter you’ve grated your block of Parmesan right down to the hard rind, don’t you dare throw it out. Place it in a plastic bag and stick it in the freezer. Next time you make stew, soup or spaghetti sauce, just toss in a big chunk of rind as it’s cooking, and that great intense, salty unique Parmesan flavor will infuse the sauce…just don’t forget to remove it before serving! If you do forget, please click here immediately. 🙂

Tip of the Day – Freeze Tomato Paste for the Sauce of the Future

Tom

Frozen tomato paste ballsI use tomato paste quite often in recipes to thicken up and give great flavor to pasta sauces, chili and soups, but seldom (and by seldom, I mean never) need an entire can at once. Simple solution…take an approx. 8″ square piece of plastic wrap, drop a 1 tablespoon dollop in the center and fold up the sides and twist closed. Stick these in a freezer bag and place in the toaster (just kidding…in the freezer), and, in the future, when a recipe calls for tomato paste, unwrap what you need (each one weighs about 1/2 oz.) and drop them in…it works great and there’s no waste. And, since they look like little hearts,  they also make a somewhat disgusting Valentine’s Day gift.

Simply Delicious Healthy Turkey Chili

Tom

Isn’t it great when you find a recipe that’s easy to make, healthy, inexpensive and, on top of all that, also tastes incredibly good…the kind of good where you want to keep eating more even though you’re really full? Well, this is one of those dishes.  I know that some chili aficionados think that turkey chili is for wimps, but I’m telling you, this is the real deal. While it’s incredibly good the day you make it, I find that, like most chili, this actually tastes better after sitting in the in the refrigerator overnight. It also freezes really well…then, all you have to do is just stick it in the microwave, and when it’s hot, top it with some grated cheddar cheese and maybe a dollop of sour cream (low fat, if you’re still thinking healthy), and you’re good to go. It also goes great with a thick slice of buttered toasted Sourdough Bread.

Please click here for the printable recipe.

Hearty Tuscan Bean Stew

Tom

Once again, it’s been snowing like crazy here on the east coast, and there is nothing more satisfying and delicious after shoveling out your car (for what seems like the bazillionth time this winter) then this Hearty Tuscan Bean Stew from Cook’s Illustrated. I think it’s best when made with kale (pictured here), but a mixture of greens is also great. This is one of those simple, healthy, pretty much foolproof recipes that seems to come out perfect every time (the secret is cooking it in a good, heavy duty dutch oven). If you’re more into soups then stews, just add another cup of chicken broth and 3/4 cup of water when you add the greens. A big bowl of stew, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and served with a toasted piece of crusty garlic bread makes an amazing meal. I also always add a couple of squirts of Sriracha sauce for a little spicy, garlicky kick.

Another great thing about this stew is that it freezes perfectly. Just divide it into serving size portions, freeze, and when you get a craving, just pop it into the microwave for a couple of minutes and it tastes as good as the day it was made.

Please click here for a printable copy of the Hearty Tuscan Bean Stew recipe.