Japanese Zee

nanakorobi yaoki -stumbling seven times but recovering eight

Turning Japanese today with a little seared salmon, an onion salad and a little shake of a very versatile spice mix.
Shichimi togarashi, Japanese 7 spice powder is used like pepper on noodles and in soups but I think it works well as a little rub and so easy to make yourself with most of the ingredients being available in supermarkets.

Shichimi Togarashi

1 tablespoon of dried mandarin peel

2 tablespoons white sesame seeds

2 tablespoons black sesame seeds

1 tablespoon ground sancho pepper

1 sheet of nori, toasted and torn into small pieces

1 teaspoon dried chilli flakes

1 teaspoon poppyseeds

Grind mandarin and sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle, (or spice grinder,small bowl of food processor )

Blend in the nori and the rest of ingredients, Store in sealed container.

Many of these ingredients come in quite large quantities so you could make a huge batch and give them to friends. I'm thinking of starting a spice group to do some swapping.

Yuzu Onion Salad

serves four

2 medium red onions, very finely chopped

100 mls yuzu juice, or rice wine vinegar

1 tablespoon soya sauce

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon of sesame oil

a few shakes of shichimi.

Place all ingredients in a bowl, taste and adjust seasoning.

Serve with grilled meat, fish or vegetables.

Love Food X