Last weekend, I hosted two Miso Making Workshops.
It was such an honor to introduce the traditional Japanese miso making to my guests. To me, your own homemade miso really tastes more special than any other miso you find at stores.
Program and Menu
Introduction to miso
Tasting of different types of miso,
including “Tenpo Ninen” Miso with Fresh Vegetables
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Miso-making with the premium ingredients from Japan
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Tasting of Ama-zake (rice koji drink)
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Miso themed dishes
Miso-marinated tofu and eggs
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Ishikari Nabe (Salmon and vegetables hot pot in miso based broth)
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“Shime” ramen noodles
Sake Selection
Yaegaki, Nigori Sake
We started with the tasting of different variety of miso and ama-zake (traditional rice koji drink), which was followed by the miso making from scratch. We also tasted our 4-month-old miso, which still needs 5-8 months until ready. But, our guests were impressed how it already tastes so good and "alive". When the miso is complete, there will be about 160 different kinds of good bacteria living in it. It's because of these bacteria that miso is so delicious and has remarkable health benefits.
Special "Toyomasari" soy beans, from Hokkaido, Japan. They are so large and round, and they tasted so rich and delicious when they were just cooked.
We mashed the beans, and mixed them with the salt and rice koji. Feeling the ingredients by hands is always a precious experience.
Miso was finally ready and it smelled so fresh and nice.
The "hard work" was followed by the miso-themed dishes. Miso-marinated tofu and eggs were great with the lightly sweet and refreshing Nigori-sake.
We also made a donabe dish. First, we made dashi stock with Hidaka Konbu from Hokkaido.
Ishikari Nabe is a traditional hot pot dish from Hokkaido. Salmon was cooked with a variety of vegetables in the miso based broth.
after Ishikari Nabe, in the same broth (which has become very rich), we made the "shime" ramen course.
It was a lot of fun. I would like to continue my effort spreading the culture of traditional miso making.
The upcoming schedule of Donabe and Japanese Cooking Classes for February is now confirmed. Please visit toiro's website to check out the details and sign up. Look forward to seeing everyone who is interested in home-style Japanese cooking and healthy lifestyle!
