Tag: mirin

Salmon and Sushi Rice with Hot, Sweet and Sour Asian Sauce

Not just for salmon, this piquant sauce would be delicious on most any seafood.

2 1/2 cups sushi rice
1 lb. piece of skinless salmon fillet
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 red or green chilis, deseeded and finely chopped
2 tbs. minced ginger root 1/4 cup fish sauce
2 tbs. sake (Japanese rice wine)
2 tbs. mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine)
2 tbs. lime juice

Cook the rice following the package directions.

Sear the salmon in a flat griddle or skillet for 4-5 minute on one side, then 1-2 minutes on the other side, depending on how you like your salmon cooked. Remove to a large piece of foil, wrap and set aside.

Mix the remaining ingredients together. Scoop some rice into a bowl, top with chunks to the salmon and spoon over the sauce.

Serves 4-6

Chicken Teriyaki

This is fast and fabulous – so much better than any takeaway.

2 tbs. sake or sherry
4 tbs. mirin
4 tbs. soy sauce
2 tbs. light brown sugar
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
splash of sesame oil
1 3/4 lbs. chicken thigh fillets, cut or scissored into bite-sized pieces
1 tsp. peanut oil
2 cups sushi rice, cooked

Mix together the sake or sherry, mirin, soy sauce, sugar, ginger and sesame oil in a shallow dish. Toss in the chicken and leave for 15 minutes. Or do this earlier and keep in the fridge.

Heat the peanut oil in a large, shallow skillet. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to the skillet and cook over a medium heat until they look cooked on the outside. Pour in the marinade and bubble until the marinade is reduced to a thick, dark syrup and the chicken is completely cooked.

Serve with sushi rice.

Serves 4-6

Mirin-Glazed Salmon

To quote Nigella, “This must be the fastest possible way to create a culinary sensation.”

1/4 cup mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
4 salmon fillets
2 tbs. rice vinegar
1-2 scallions, shredded into fine strips
rice, to serve

Mix the mirin, sugar and soy sauce in a shallow dish that will hold the 4 fillets. Add the salmon and marinate for 3 minutes on one side and 2 minutes on the other. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet.

Add the salmon to the hot, dry pan and cook for 2 minutes , then turn it over, add the marinade and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove the salmon to a serving plate filled with rice. Add the vinegar to the hot skillet and let it bubble into a glaze. Pour over the salmon and serve topped with the shredded scallions.

Serves 4