A delight for the eyes and the palate, the Japanese Cuisine is a perfect example of Plating Art, with attention to every detail, for a visual rendering that has the same importance as the flavors and taste of a recipe.
The fish is cut evenly, with perfectly equal slices that look as if they came out of a mold, the rice rolls are arranged symmetrically on the plate, and the colors are vibrant and well matched to create visual harmony. And then the taste: the Japanese foods are a triumph of intense and delicate flavors together, persistent and unique. Simplicity, freshness and goodness of ingredients are the imperatives of this age-old cuisine, which also has behind it a precise philosophy related to harmony and inner balance.
But what is a typical dish of Japanese cuisine?
Traditional Japanese foods: miso soup.
Miso soup is one of the dishes of Japanese tradition and culture. It seems that every family has and cherishes its own recipe, unique and different from all others. It is a dish made from miso, a yellow soybean paste fermented with sea salt, to which broth and various other ingredients such as tofu, leek, seaweed, carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, onion, shrimp, fish, etc. are added.
Also known as misoshiru, is mostly consumed during the colder months of the year, partly because it is very nutritious and light, just think that one cup of miso soup has only 84 calories.
It is a very ancient food, probably discovered by some Chinese monks in 600-800 B.C. and later, between 1200 and 1300 A.D. imported to Japan where it became a popular food.
Not only that: miso soup It also has many health benefits. It is said that miso soup eliminates the negative energies of the day. It also puts millions of enzymes into circulation that help with intestinal problems and lowered immunity, helps cleanse the liver, and improves the condition of the skin and hair. It also appears to have an alkalizing effect on the blood, being rich in calcium, magnesium and sodium, and is recommended for those with a diet too rich in meat. Miso is rich in lactobacilli, enzymes, vitamins and proteins, promotes excellent physical balance, and miso soup is rich in ingredients composed of plant proteins and seaweed that provide valuable minerals.
Miso soup is considered one of the most characteristic dishes of macrobiotic cuisine and, consumed regularly, proves to be an excellent dietary supplement.
The ingredients for an easy recipe for one person:
The dose is for one person:
- 1 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon miso
- 1 piece of wakame seaweed (2cm)
- 1 piece of ginger
- chives
Although the ingredients are not so easy to find, the preparation of this dish is quick and easy and can be modified according to one's taste and imagination. Moreover, it is the preparation technique that can make a difference on the final result.
If you want to learn how to prepare a real miso soup and many other typical Japanese foods, discover the Japanese Cooking Class organized by Italian Food Academy
