Hijiki Nimono

Directions

Rinse the hijiki in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running In 3 times the amount of warm water, soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the hijiki with a tea strainer. Return to fine-mesh strainer and drain off excess water. Grate the carrots into matchstick slivers. Dip the age puff for 30 seconds in boiling water, and cut into matchstick slivers. Place tofu in a heated skillet and mash with a spatula. Let it simmer in its own water until reduced to small crumbs. Snap the ends off the green beans and place in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes. Immerse in iced water, drain, and cut into ½-inch-long pieces. In a heated skillet, sauté sesame oil, hijiki, carrots, age. When ingredients have acquired a shiny appearance, add dashijiru, shoyu, sake and mirin. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until liquid has been absorbed. Turn off heat and add green beans. Place in serving dish, sprinkle with sautéed sesame.