Add a Little Spice to Your Life!
Kits available to pick up at the library starting Friday, March 7.
Do you love to cook?
Do you like to try new flavors and recipes? Or maybe you are in a cooking rut and don’t know how to start expanding your cooking repertoire. Let us help you get spicy in the kitchen. Your kit includes a pre-measured packet of pure wasabi powder and a few recipes.
What is wasabi?
Wasabi, often called Japanese horseradish, is derived from the rhizome of the Wasabia japonica plant and is a member of the Brassicaceae family. Other members in this family are cabbage, broccoli and Armoracia rusticana which is the root vegetable also known as horseradish or European horseradish. Wasabi is used as a condiment in Japanese cuisine, particularly in sushi dishes. It may help reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and boost immune function. In addition, some studies suggest that the compounds found in wasabi may have anti-cancer properties, although more research is needed to confirm these claims.
Real Wasabi vs. Fake Wasabi.
Wasabi plants are temperamental and require specific conditions to grow optimally. The harvesting process for wasabi is meticulous and labour-intensive. Because of wasabi’s high price and scarcity, most of the wasabi found in U.S. restaurants and supermarkets is fake wasabi which is typically made from horseradish, mustard, and green food colouring. Thickening agents like flour or cornstarch may also be included. These mixtures contain little if any pure wasabi.
Easy ways to add wasabi to your diet.
One of the defining characteristics of wasabi is its intense heat which dissipates quickly, leaving behind a refreshing sensation that cleanses the palate. In addition, wasabi has a complex flavor profile that combines notes of sweetness, heat, and earthiness. To make wasabi paste, mix 2 teaspoons of wasabi powder with 1 teaspoon of water. Let the paste rest for 15 minutes to allow its flavor to develop. Besides its inclusion in some of the recipes below, this paste is also perfect for sushi. To make a wasabi mayo, mix ¼ cup mayo with 1 teaspoon wasabi powder and 1 teaspoon soy sauce. Cover and chill until flavors blend, about 10 minutes.
Recipes featuring pure wasabi powder.
- Wasabi-Soy Vinaigrette
- Ginger Wasabi Dip
- Chicken and Celery Salad with Wasabi-Tahini Dressing
- Wasabi and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Teriyaki Salmon with Mirin Cucumber Salad
- Panko Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- Grilled Rib-Eye With Wasabi-Garlic Paste
Need more inspiration?
You can watch a six-part Great Courses class called The Everyday Gourmet: Essential Secrets of Spices in Cooking for free with your library card by using a Hoopla Great Courses BingePass or streaming on Kanopy.
