Izakaya Sakura Sesame Avocado Brown Rice Food

IZAKAYA SAKURA SESAME-AVOCADO BROWN RICE

Steps:

• Cook the rice in a pot or rice cooker, per directions on the package. Remove from rice cooker and layer on flat baking sheet. Cover and allow to cool completely. Refrigerate until needed.
• Remove rice from refrigerator and scoop into large bowl. Set aside to return to room temperature. Keep covered.
• Mix together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and 1 tbsp sesame oil. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, fill with ice and water. Set aside. Drain the tofu.
• In a hot skillet, toast the sesame seeds and set aside. Start a large saucepan filled with heavily salted water to a rolling boil.
• Trim the bottoms of the mushrooms clusters and separate. Saute the mushrooms in 2 tbsp of sesame oil, salt to taste. Stir occasionally until mushrooms are well browned. Remove from heat.
• While mushrooms are sauteing, cut broccoli into bite sized pieces and blanch in the hot salted water. Shock broccoli in ice water. Gently wring to dry, then mix with 1 tsp sesame oil and salt to taste. Set aside.
• Cut the tofu into 4 large triangles or cubes as desired. Roll the tofu in the cornstarch or flour.
• Heat large pan and add oil for deep frying. When the oil is heated to at least 350 degrees F, carefully add 2 tofu pieces into the pan.
• Fry, stirring occasionally, until the tofu is golden on both sides. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Keep warm while frying the remaining tofu.
• Shake the dressing vigorously and mix about half into the rice. Add more to taste. The rice should be well-coated but not sopping wet. Fold in the toasted sesame seeds.
• Spoon out the avocados and cut into 1/2 inch chunks. Season with salt.
• Fold the diced avocados into the rice and transfer the rice into serving bowls. Top with broccoli rabe, beech mushrooms and deep fried tofu. Garnish with additional untoasted sesame seeds.

IZAKAYA SAKURA AVOCADO TOFU SALAD

Steps:

• Chop green onion and mix with soy sauce and sesame oil.
• Mash avocado with fork. Add lime juice to keep avocado from turning brown.
• Cut tofu into bite-sized pieces and top with avocado, then mix in green onions. Serve with thinly sliced tomatoes.

IZAKAYA SAKURA BROILED SABA WITH GREEN ONION SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix chopped green onion, ground ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil and sugar to make sauce.
• Cut saba filet into three pieces (makes 6 pieces total). Sprinkle with salt.
• Broil saba until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
• Serve saba on a plate (or on sliced cabbage) and cover with the sauce.

JAPANESE SALMON & AVOCADO RICE

Steps:

• Rinse the rice in a sieve until the water runs clear. Drain and put in a large pan with 400ml water. Bring to the boil, turn the heat to low, cover, then cook for 10-12 mins until the rice is almost cooked. Remove from the heat, then leave, covered, for another 10 mins.
• Thinly slice the salmon and arrange on a platter with the sliced avocado. Drizzle over the lemon juice and soy, making sure everything is evenly covered. Leave in the fridge to marinate for 10 mins.
• Carefully tip the juices from the salmon platter into the rice, then stir in with a little salt. Divide the rice between 4 bowls. Scatter the sesame seeds, spring onions, chilli and coriander over the salmon and avocado, then serve with the rice.