Yaki-maitake gohan / steamed rice with grilled maitake mushrooms

Grilling concentrates the aroma and taste of maitake, while a hint of ginger perks up the earthy note of mushrooms.

1/3 of recipe:
2.6 calories; 5.0 g protein; 2.7 g fat; 40.1 g carbohydrate; 39.2 g net carbs; 100.7 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; 165 mg with regular soy sauce); 0 mg cholesterol; 0.9 g fiber

1/2 of recipe:
309 calories; 7.5 g protein; 1.8 g fat; 60.2 g carbohydrate; 58.8 g net carbs; 151 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; 248 mg with regular soy sauce); 0 mg cholesterol; 1.4 g fiber

Sake to hijiki no itameni / salmon saute with hijiki seaweed

A rich dish that combines the deep flavors of salmon and hijiki. A small amount is very satisfying due to the strong flavoring and sauteed salmon. Great with rice and drinks. Also makes a delicious bento item.

1/3 of recipe:
134 calories; 15.3 g protein; 4.0 g fat; 5.6 g carbohydrate; 4.9 g net carbs; 208 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; 284 mg with regular soy sauce); 37 mg cholesterol; 0.7 g fiber

Amazake chokoreeto keeki / chocolate cake with amazake

A little chocolate cake with a delightful aftertaste. One of our favorite desserts.

1/8 cake slice:
110 calories; 2.4 g protein; 6.9 g fat; 8.4 g carbohydrate; 7.7 g net carbs; 23 mg sodium; 73 mg cholesterol; 0.7 g fiber

Kyabetsu to kinoko no miso-itame / cabbage and mushroom saute with miso

An easy cabbage saute with shimeji and eringi mushrooms. Tender spring cabbage is complemented by slightly sweetened miso and the spicy punch of taka no tsume red chili pepper.

1/2 of recipe:
46 calories; 2.5 g protein; 1.5 g fat; 7.5 g carbohydrate; 4.5 g net carbs; 129 mg sodium (with reduced-sodium miso; 159 mg with regular miso); 0 mg cholesterol; 3.0 g fiber

Nagaimo-dango to horenso no osumashi / clear soup with Chinese yam dumplings and spinach

The slightly chewy texture of fluffy nagaimo dumplings is just plain fun to eat. Nagaimo and spinach make a great flavor match, which is highlighted by the clear taste of dashi and usukuchi soy sauce.

1/2 of recipe:
72 calories; 3.3 g protein; 0.4 g fat; 13.7 g carbohydrate; 12.4 g net carbs; 258 mg sodium; 0 mg cholesterol; 1.3 g fiber

Sake no kasuzuke / grilled salmon marinated in sake lees

Aromatic sake lees make a great marinade for all sorts of things including vegetables, seafood and meat. Here is one example with salmon, the classic choice for seafood kasuzuke. When used with shiozake salted salmon, this also works to desalinate the fish while imparting a nice aromatic flavor.

Atsuage, moyashi, saishin no nibitashi / deep-fried tofu, mung bean sprouts and yu choy sum simmered in light broth

When moyashi alone is paired with atsuage, the dish tends to be somewhat bland. Yu choy sum works as a great go-between by adding a cheerful green taste and soft texture, resulting in a dish that has layers of interesting flavors.

1/2 of recipe:
106 calories; 12 g protein; 4.7 g fat; 16.5 g carbohydrate; 15.4 g net carbs;  222 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce, 348 mg with regular soy sauce); 0.6 mg cholesterol; 1.1 g fiber

Gobo to shungiku no misoshiru / miso soup with burdock root and garland chrysanthemum

The distinctive nutty taste of shungiku together with its hint of bitterness and refreshing note match the deep flavor and aroma of gobo burdock root amazingly well. A very satisfying miso soup.

1/2 of recipe:
28 calories; 2.5 g protein; 0.6g fat; 6.2 g carbohydrate; 3.8 g net carbs; 250 mg sodium (with reduced-sodium miso, 310 mg with regular miso); 0 mg cholesterol; 2.4g  fiber

Shiozake no shionuki / desalination of salted salmon

A solution to the dilemma of shiozake being too salty. Soaking in only water or salted water could take away umami at the same time. Try a mixture of water, sake and mirin. Shiozake, even those that are not too salty, will benefit from this easy step to mildly salty, flavorful taste.

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Fudanso to feta chiizu no taruto / Swiss chard and feta cheese tart

I like to serve this savory tart as an appetizer or snack for a small gathering. It doesn't look glamorous, but it does appeal to your taste buds, and your stomach -- probably because of the potatoes. Adapted from the Torta Verde recipe originally found in a Saveur magazine website years ago. 

1/8 of recipe (when made with sheep milk feta cheese with 270 mg sodium/28 g):
109 calories; 4.1 g protein; 4.2 g fat; 12.7 g carbohydrate; 11.6 g net carbs; 108 mg sodium; 34 mg cholesterol; 1.1 g fiber

Nira to koebi no chijimi / jijigmae Korean savory pancake with garlic chives and bay shrimp

This simple combination of nira garlic chives and little shrimp is unbeatable. Shiitake mushrooms provide an earthy note.

Whole recipe (when served with kobudashi-diluted dipping sauce made with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce):
409 calories per serving; 25.7 g protein; 6.8 g fat; 58.8 g carbohydrate; 54.3 g net carbs; 25 8mg sodium; 309 mg cholesterol; 4.5 g fiber

Tonyu nabe / hot pot with soy milk broth

A somewhat rich hot pot with a very mild aftertaste.

1/2 of recipe:
413 calories; 46.5 g protein; 14.8 g fat; 21.8 g carbohydrate; 15.5 g net carbs; 707 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce for both broth and ponzujoyu; 980 mg with regular soy sauce); 74 mg cholesterol; 6.3 g fiber

Tonyu, okara / soy milk and soybean pulp

Making both soy milk and soybean pulp is as easy as soaking beans overnight, grinding and cooking them, and squeezing to separate the liquid (soy milk) and solids (soybean pulp). When only needing a small amount or when wanting rich taste or coarse bean pulp, a pot and blender work fine -- often better than pricey soy milk makers.