Appetizers•Party Ideas•Side Dishes•Vegan

Japanese appetizer

April 1, 2020 by karine Recipe rating:
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In 2005, my husband and I landed at the Nerima Airport, in Japan. It was my first time in Japan-we were not visiting, we just moved there from Detroit! I was nervous and excited.

Now looking back, I’m so thankful to have had a little over four years in such a beautiful country filled with amazing people, beautiful traditions and gorgeous food. I learned so much from this country.

We wanted to go back for a visit this year, but with the current situation and finances, we will have to wait. We miss it so much, especially my 13-year old, who was born there! So until then, I’ll just try and bring a little Japan into our home through food.

I have to admit, I never was into tofu prior to living in Japan-I just never really understood it, meaning I was a bit skeptical as it seemed too “healthy” and only for the health nuts…like tofurkey!!! funny how things and perceptions change over the years.

This appetizer is a little dish that we often were given as a teaser just upon being seated at a counter or a table at a restaurant. In Japan, restaurants often give their guests a little nibble “on the house” to wet one’s appetite!

This dish is so easy to make, it’s so healthy and most importantly it’s simply delicious! 

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Japanese Appetizer

This is a very light and flavorful bite that happens to be good for you and vegan, too

Course Appetizer
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1 pack of silken tofu
  • 1 tbsp grated daikon radish can substitute for other radish
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 4 tbsp soy sauce or tamari (japanese soy)
  • 8 sprigs chives or green onions (scalions)
  • 1 tsp black sesame seeds (optional)
  • 1 tbsp cut up nori-seaweed snack
  • 1 tbsp radish shoots or other micro greens optional

Instructions

  1. Drain the tofu and cut in little cubes/big cubes, what ever shape you want-make sure it's well drained

  2. Grate ginger-best with a microplane

    chop chives and or scallions

    grate radish

    cut seaweed

  3. prepare 4 little bowls with tofu. Divide ingredients by 4 and add ingredients on top of tofu and just before serving drizzle the soy sauce-you will see in my post, one finished with soy and one not.

    If you don't have all the ingredients the most important are: tofu, soy sauce, ginger and scallions-the rest is just for added flavor and eye appeal!

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