Japanese Sesame Salad Dressing Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Salad in Japanese Cuisine:
  • Not traditionally a Japanese dish.
  • Incorporated into the diet, often served for breakfast.
  • Popular due to distinctive sesame dressing.

Types of Sesame Dressings

1. Oil-Free Creamy Japanese Sesame Dressing
2. Secret Japanese Sesame Dressing

Oil-Free Creamy Japanese Sesame Dressing

• Ingredients:
  • 1/3 cup sesame seeds (white and brown)
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup silken tofu (for creaminess)
• Method:
  • Toast sesame seeds until they pop (like popcorn).
  • Blend toasted seeds with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and maple syrup.
  • Add silken tofu to make it ultra creamy.

Super Secret Japanese Sesame Dressing

• Key Point:
  • Uses sesame oil instead of sesame seeds.
  • Contains a unique non-Asian ingredient: nutritional yeast.
• Ingredients:
  • Sesame oil
  • Regular oil
  • Soy sauce
  • Maple syrup
  • Rice vinegar
  • Nutritional yeast (for umami flavor)
• Method:
  • Combine all ingredients in a jar.
  • Shake well to mix.

Applications and Tips

• Both dressings are versatile for a variety of salads.
• Secret dressing is particularly good for:
  • Shredded cabbage or kale salads.
  • A vegan version of a Chinese chicken salad.
• Adjust creaminess and thickness by varying tofu quantity in the creamy dressing.

Conclusion

• Personal preference and experience shared:
  • Favorite dressing due to ease (made in a jar).
  • Upcoming trip to Japan promises more vegan culinary insights.

Additional Notes

• Toasting sesame seeds enhances flavor and aroma.
• Nutritional yeast adds unexpected umami and creaminess to dressings.
• Reminder about upcoming Japan trip and potential for more vegan exploration content.