Do you ever get stuck in a rut with weekday meals? Well, you are not alone. Indeed it just seems so much easier to cook what you know that goes out of your way to make something new. The problem is, of course, that making the same dinners every week can get pretty dull, pretty fast. Luckily, you can spice up your mid-week with the yummy 3 Japanese-inspired Meals listed below.
Ramen
The first of our 3 Japanese inspired meals is Ramen. Ramen was originally a Chinese soup dish, but the versions you have tried are likely to be Japanese. Indeed, ramen is hugely popular in Japanese and all over the world. It is a dish that consists of a soup broth, cooked noodles, and a variety of toppings. Toppings range from meat, to tofu, to eggs and vegetables. Sometimes it even comes with pickles which add a wonderful piquant flavor.
The great thing about ramen is that you can totally customize it to your tastes and needs. For example, if you aren’t too keen on anything too spicy you can use simple chicken stock with ginger and garlic as your base.
Alternatively, if you don’t mind some heat, why not try something spicy. Try this miso ramen recipe here to make at home? Feel free to swap the fish out for tofu if you are vegetarian or vegan. You can even replace the noodles with more green veg or zoodles if you are following the keto diet.
Sushi
Sushi is another Japanese favorite that can make midweek meals a lot of fun. the second of the 3 Japanese inspired meals shouldn’t be a surprise. To make sushi you need to take sweetened sushi rice and wrap it in dried seaweed sheets called Nori. In the center of the rice, you can place a range of fillings including raw and cooked fish. Even cream cheese and vegetables are popular.
However, it’s the pickled ginger and hot Japanese horseradish known as wasabi that gives it a real kick! ( if you aren’t a fan of too much spice, use a tiny dash of the wasabi in some mayo for the flavor without the heat).
Of course, the thing that makes sushi something of a challenge is assembling it. Indeed, sushi chefs in Japan train for years to perfect their craft. Don’t let that put you off though as there are many gizmos and gadgets that are now available that can make rolling a Maki roll, as easy as pie!
Katsu curry
Last, of all, we have katsu curry, which is usually served with sticky, or jasmine rice. This dish gets its name from the yellow curry sauce that it is served with, which is more sweet than spicy.
Another essential element of the dish is a source of protein or some vegetables coated in panko breadcrumbs and then fried until crispy. Chicken breast is a popular choice, but pork and tofu work well too, as do sweeter vegetables like pumpkin, squash, and sweet potato.
Many people choose to serve katsu curry with a dressed salad, and some Japanese pickles for contrast and texture as well. Try katsu curry and spice up your midweek meals, today!