Salad recipes

This salad is subtle and very refreshing. There are a variety of textures-chewy cold noodles (bean thread noodles, some call them cellophane noodles 'cause when you boil them they become clear), crunchy sesame seeds, and crunchy cucumber slices. Sugar salt, and vinegar combine harmoniously, each understated but very much present.

Pasta bean salad with navy beans, snow peas, red pepper, toasted sesame oil, and tangy ume vinegar. A protein-packed Japanese-leaning lunch that holds up in the fridge.

Grilled Japanese eggplant and green bean salad with balsamic vinegar, red bell peppers, and mixed greens. A smoky, tangy summer salad ready in 30 minutes.

Nasu karashi sumiso-ae: Japanese eggplant tossed in a white miso, soy sauce, and wasabi dressing. A simple, savory side dish served at room temperature with a gentle spicy kick.

Charcoal-grilled chicken skewers drizzled with teriyaki and topped with warm Thai peanut sauce, scallions, cilantro and sesame seeds. A fusion satay that brings restaurant-level plating home.

Horenso hitashi, a classic Japanese blanched spinach side dish dressed in dashi, soy sauce, and sugar with toasted sesame seeds. Clean, simple, and ready in 20 minutes.

Kinome-ae is a classic Japanese dish pairing dashi-simmered bamboo shoots with a vivid green miso dressing colored with spinach paste. Finished with fragrant sansho pepper powder.

Horenso no goma-ae is a Japanese spinach side dish dressed in a paste of toasted sesame seeds, sake, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Classic side served at room temperature with rice and miso.

This is a basic vinaigrette-style dressing that works well with shredded vegetables.

Why use meat when you can enjoy a delicious dish like this which will keep you wanting more!

Nasu karashi sumiso-ae, a Japanese eggplant dish with boiled eggplant cubes tossed in a tangy white miso, soy sauce, and hot mustard dressing. A simple, savory side served at room temperature.