review of japan

M starting today. Before i tell you about it, i'll tell you what a review is. A review is nothing different than repeating a country we've already done. MENU: (recipes for the bold)
chirashi-sushi
miso soup inari-sushi
and for dessert...Pocky sticks
my favorites:
miso soup
chirashi-sushi
Pocky sticks

Anne's Interruption:
Thanks to M for starting us today. Japanese food is a big hit in our house and this is an easy meal. Here are the recipes and a little more info:

Chirashi-sushi is mixed up sushi -- all piled in a bowl instead of shaped into pretty pieces. Ours had:
sushi rice (made in a rice cooker and then tossed with a little rice vinegar and mirin)
slices of avocado
boiled baby carrots
sliced cucumber (from our garden!)
tofu
shredded nori (sushi seaweed)
egg (cooked as a mini omelette, with a little mirin)
and garnished with a scallion "tree", daikon flower, and wasabi leaves.
1.) Put a scoop of rice in a bowl.
2.) Add the other ingredients and make it look pretty! :)

Miso Soup
Dashi-do-moto packet (looks like a tea bag, smells like dried fish stock, which is what it is)
3 c. water
1 heaping TBSP miso paste
2 scallions, sliced
1/2 block of tofu, cubed

1.) Add the water and dashi packet to a saucepan. Heat to boiling and then turn down the heat.
2.) Add the miso paste and stir. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
3.) Add the scallions and tofu just before serving.

Inari-Sushi
Inari are seasoned tofu "bags" that are stuffed with sushi rice to make inari sushi. I get them (as well as the dashi packets above) in our local Asian grocery store. They are sometimes packed in liquid and, if so, I rinse them and pat dry. Just hand shape sushi rice into a cube and insert in the bag. Fold the ends of the bag over to hide the rice and the inari will stand on a plate (edges on the bottom).