Mineoka-dofu / Mineoka-tofu / milk kudzu pudding

Often made today with cream and sugar as a dessert, this milk pudding originally was improvised as a quasi-tofu dish about 300 years ago when the Shogun, during a visit to the pastures of Mineoka, simply mentioned his desire to eat tofu. Upon hearing the Shogun's words, a cook accompanying the Shogun made the pudding using cow's milk and kudzu found at the pastures. Traditionally, milk is the only dairy ingredient that goes into the pudding; I mixed it with additive-free tonyu soy milk to cut back on sodium in the recipe below. This pudding contains no sweetener, but its milky taste and creamy texture are quite gratifying.      

1 serving (1/4 of Mineoka-dofu recipe, 1/2 of sauce recipe, shrimp & arugula):
113 calories; 5.7 g protein; 5.3 g fat; 10.8 g carbohydrate; 9.9 g net carbs; 105 mg sodium; 19 mg cholesterol; 0.9 g fiber

Whole recipe of Mineoka-dofu only:
388 calories; 14.4 g protein; 20.6 g fat; 37.8 g carbohydrate; 10.8 g net carbs; 85 mg sodium; 24 mg cholesterol; 2.4 g fiber

Mitsuba to kumiage-yuba no wasabijoyu-ae / mitsuba and fresh tofu skin dressed with wasabi soy sauce

Wasabijoyu-ae -- dressing the main ingredient in wasabi soy sauce -- is a common way to enjoy either mitsuba or kumiage-yuba on its own. When combining the two, fresh yuba softly envelops refreshing mitsuba in a creamy blanket.

76 calories (1/2 of recipe); 7.0 g protein; 4.1 g fat; 2.4 g carbohydrate; 1.7 g net carbs; 81 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; approximately 170 mg with regular soy sauce); 0 mg cholesterol; 0.7 g fiber

Soramame-dofu / fava bean tofu

A smooth and creamy pudding-like side dish featuring fava beans. This is a seasonal variation of gomadofu, a popular item included in temple meals or set courses at restaurants. While solid molds are more common, using plastic film wrap results in a casual look at the end. The wasabi topping instantly makes this a great companion for a drink, too.

1/3 of recipe:
77 calories; 4.4 g protein; 1.8 g fat; 11.2 g carbohydrate; 10.1 g net carbs; 67 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; 119 mg with regular soy sauce); 0 mg cholesterol; 1.1 g fiber

Hasumushi / steamed fish with grated lotus root, with light thickened sauce

A comforting steamed fish dish for winter. Enjoy the fresh taste of in-season fish that has been sealed beneath a blanket of grated lotus root. Savory thickened sauce keeps the dish warm, while pungent wasabi brightens the overall tone. Have a spoon ready!

Below is a simple example with petrale sole and dried shiitake mushroom mixed in renkon lotus root. 

1/2 of recipe:
173 calories; 24.5 g protein; 1.6 g fat; 13.6 g carbohydrate; 12.1 g net carbs; 302 mg sodium (when using shoyukoji made with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce); 55 mg cholesterol; 1.5 g fiber

Ohyo no kobujime no temarizushi / mini sushi balls with fresh halibut sandwitched in kelp

Temarizushi, small globes of sushi with assorted ingredients, is another fun way to serve homemade sushi. Here is an example with ohyo halibut made into kobujime. Despite my strong image of temarizushi as being for girls’ parties, this is one of Tom’s current favorite ways to enjoy fresh halibut.

Horenso to papurika no wasabidofu-ae / spinach and red pepper with wasabi tofu dressing

Green and red dressed in white. Wasabi adds a spicy tang to the soft taste of tofu.

Ebi to abogado no wasabi sarada / prawn and avocado salad with wasabi dressing

Prawns, avocado, wasabi and soy sauce go together wonderfully well. Serve with salad greens to add a fresh note to the rich taste.