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Wasabi
Wasabi is a
rhizomes similar in flavor and heat to horseradish. Fresh grated or dried
reconstituted wasabi is used as a condiment with sushi, sashimi as well as
other Japanese noodle dishes.
fresh wasabi rhizomes
What You've Had Was Probably Not The Real Thing
Most all wasabi served in the U.S. is not wasabi at all but a powder made
from dried horseradish, food coloring and dry mustard. Japanese restaurants
found that fresh wasabi was not preferred by Americans so the horseradish
mixture has become the standard.
The Flavor Of Real Wasabi
Wasabi is quite strong when it is first grated but the heat diminishes as
the wasabi is exposed to air. Dried, powdered wasabi is also available but
just like its fresh counterpart it is hard to find and quite expensive.
How Fresh Wasabi Is Used
Fresh wasabi rhizomes are grated on a rough surface to form a thick paste.
The traditional tool is a sharkskin
grater.
The grating action breaks open the cells of the plant which creates a
chemical reaction that in turn causes the release of isothiocynates, the
compounds that produce wasabi's unique flavor.
Once you've grated the amount of wasabi you wish to use gather it into a
small ball. Keeping the wasabi in a ball keeps it from getting too much
exposure to the air. Sit the ball aside and allow it to rest at room
temperature about 10 minutes allowing the chemical compounds to do their
work. Use the wasabi within 20 to 30 minutes. After that the flavor
will begin to diminish. To freshen your wasabi you can remix it and
add a bit more freshly grated wasabi to liven up the mixture.
How To Use Dried Ground Wasabi
Wasabi powder is combined with water to form a thick paste. It is best to
allow the paste for sit for about one hour before use. To serve,
wasabi is typically mixed with soy sauce when being used with sushi or
sashimi.
History Of
Wasabi
It is believed that
Wasabi was first used where it was found growing wild in Japan's valleys of
Mt. Heike, Mt. Mizuo, and Mt. Bahun. The locals gathered wild
Wasabi to use as a condiment with slices of raw yamame (a kind of trout),
and raw venison. In addition to use as a flavoring the stems and
leaves of Wasabi were pickled and eaten as a vegetable. Today wasabi
is still one of the most important condiments in Japanese cuisine.
More Wasabi
Uses
Add a tablespoon to your
favorite mashed potato recipe
Splash a few drops on fresh, washed salad greens
Drizzle over fresh steamed vegetables like asparagus
Add to a simple vinaigrette
How To Store
Fresh Wasabi
If you
are fortunate enough to buy fresh wasabi you'll want to store it properly.
Rinse rhizomes under fresh clear water and wrap in
damp paper towels. Store in the
crisper drawer of the refrigerator and replace with fresh damp paper
toweling every couple of days. Rhizomes can be stored for at least 2 weeks.
Featured
Wasabi Recipe
Real Wasabi Aioli
I N G R E D I E N T S
1 tablespoon prepared wasabi
2 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced ginger
2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
2 egg yolks*
1 cup. canola oil
Freshly ground salt and black pepper, to taste.
I N S T
R U C T I O N S
In a food processor, add Real
Wasabi™ paste, garlic, ginger, vinegar and yolks. While processor is on,
drizzle in oil, slowly at first until it emulsifies then more quickly. Check
for seasoning. Store in refrigerator.
*Raw Egg Warning
Use caution when consuming raw and lightly-cooked eggs, as there is a slight
risk of Salmonella or other food-borne illness. To reduce this risk, we
recommend you use only fresh, properly-refrigerated, clean, grade A or AA
eggs with intact shells, and avoid contact between the yolks or whites and
the shell.
More
Wasabi Recipes
View
more recipes that
feature wasabi at GourmetSleuth.com
Our Favorite Use For
Wasabi
I think the best wasabi inspired dish I've had
was Chef Sam Choy's wasabi cheesecake. My last trip to Honolulu this spring
included one fantastic meal at Sam Choy's restaurant. The wasabi cheesecake
had a nut crust and a side garnish of wasabi tobiko (flying fish roe).
Photo: Ann-Marie
Bouchard, Peter Duenas, John Bouchard]
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Buy Real Wasabi
™
Products Online
Real Wasabi™
is a treat for sushi and wasabi lovers. We have
found what we feel are the best real wasabi products on the market.
Our organic wasabi products are from wasabi grown in the United
States. Visit our online store at
GourmetSleuth.com
Wasabi Recipes
Wasabi Dipping Sauce
Wasabi Fondue
Dipping Sauce, serve with Beef or Seafood Fondue
Wasabi Nuts
Recipe
for Wasabi Nuts, coated with a mixture of egg white, wasabi powder, salt and
cornstarch. Makes a hot tasty snack.
Wasabi Peas -
Recipe for Wasabi Peas, coated with a mixture of wasabi powder, Dijon
mustard and tahini. This makes a delicious spicy snack.
Wasabi Mashed
Potatoes - Serve with
grilled fish.
Sharkskin Wasabi Grater
A traditional sharkskin wasabi
grater from Japan. Each grater has a wooden form faced with real sharkskin.
To use, fresh wasabi rhizomes are grated along the sharkskin face to form a
smooth paste. Serve fresh wasabi as a condiment with sushi, sashimi or atop
hot noodle dishes. Buy at GourmetSleuth.com
Aluminum Wasabi Graters
Sharkskin graters are hard to find and metal graters are steadily replacing
the traditional versions. Find aluminum graters in Japanese specialty
stores. The graters fine teeth are used for grating ginger or wasabi.
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