Sake Recipes

Margie Said:

How can I make a non-alcoholic "sake bomb"?

We Answered:

I'm not really sure what to tell you. A sake bomb is sake and beer, and both of those are alcoholic. It would be easier if the entire contents of the drink weren't both alcoholic.

I guess I can only recommend a glass of Sprite with a shot of grenadine. Or Sprite and juice. Or juice and ginger ale. We do that kind of mixing at home for regular drinks anyway, and it's pretty tasty.

Good luck.

Jessie Said:

Easy low fat recipes for picky kids?

We Answered:

CRUNCHY FRIED FISH

Here's a low fat version of fried fish. Simply coat chunks of white fish fillets in breadcrumbs and bake in a hot oven. Serve with tarter sauce and russet fries baked alongside. Kids LOVE this!!

1 1/4 pounds firm white fish, such as cod or halibut
1 egg lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
1 tsp dried mixed herbs
1 tsp paprika
Freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place a large cookie sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray in the oven.
Meanwhile cut fish into chunks. Put beaten egg into a small bowl, and combine breadcrumbs, herbs, paprika and pepper in a large shallow bowl.

Remove cookie sheet from oven. Dip the fish first into the egg and then into the breadcrumb mixture and on to the cookie sheet. Repeat with each piece of fish. Bake for 8-10 minutes, turning once, until fish is cooked through.

LOW FAT FISH TACOS

Halibut and cod work especially well with these low fat fish tacos. Bake, broil or grill the fish after briefly marinating it, and serve with your choice of low fat or fat free garnishes on top of warm corn tortillas.

2 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp olive oil
2 tbsp freshly chopped cilantro
1 pound firm white fish fillets such as halibut or cod
8 corn tortillas

In a small bowl, combine lime juice, cumin, olive oil and cilantro. Place fish in a glass baking dish or in a resealable plastic bag. Add marinade. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Coat a nonstick baking sheet with cooking spray and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place marinated fish on baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, until fish flakes easily with a fork. Alternatively, broil or grill fish, allowing 10 minutes per inch of thickness. Warm corn tortillas according to instructions on package. When fish is cooked, cut into strips or chunks and divide among corn tortillas. Add shredded cabbage, low fat or fat free sour cream and salsa for garnish.

Serves 4.

LOW FAT CHICKEN ENCHILLADAS

This a is a great way to use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken. These creamy enchiladas are quick and easy to make. It's comfort food with a fraction of the fat.

4 corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken (skinless, white meat)
1/2 cup black beans
1/2 cup sweet corn
1 cup medium or hot salsa
1 cup plain low fat yogurt
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream
1/2 cup reduced fat shredded Jack cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Coat an 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Warm tortillas according to instructions on package.
Mix salsa, yogurt and sour cream and spoon half the salsa mixture into the chicken, beans and corn. Blend well.
Divide chicken mixture among the tortillas. Carefully roll tortillas and place them seam down in the baking dish. Spoon remaining salsa mixture over the tortillas. Sprinkle cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Serves 4.

BEEF AND PENNE CASSEROLE

This is comfort food at its best (and a family favorite), combining extra lean ground beef, tomatoes, penne pasta and a sprinkling of reduced fat cheese. Sometimes I wilt half a 10-ounce pack of fresh baby spinach (squeezed dry) and stir it into the beef and tomato mixture.

1/2 pound penne pasta
1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce, no salt added
1 tsp oregano
1 pound lean or extra-lean ground beef
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup shredded reduced fat mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Boil pasta according to instructions on package. Do not overcook. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, in a large skillet sprayed with cooking spray, saute onions and ground beef on a medium to high heat until the beef is browned. Add crushed tomatoes, sauce and oregano, and stir well. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes. Empty pasta into a 2 quart baking dish; add beef and tomato mixture and toss well to coat. Sprinkle with cheese blend and bake for 25 minutes.

Serves 4-6

You can also do a lot of wonderful things with POLENTA, which is very healthy, pre-cooked and you can buy it in the supermarket in a roll you just have to slice. It's a great substitute for pasta. Try covering it with fresh tomato sauce and a little reduced fat cheese as a side dish to broiled chicken or veal, etc.

Hope this helps!

Rodney Said:

How long does Sake take to reduce when cooking?

We Answered:

Depend on how hot your fire is and how far down the recipe calls to reduce, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4

Russell Said:

What is the recipe for butter sake sauce?

We Answered:

Sake Butter
In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, sweat the ginger and shallots in the one tablespoon butter for two to three minutes.
Add 1/2 cup of the sake, bring to a boil, and reduce by two-thirds, about three minutes.
Add the heavy cream, bring to a boil, and reduce by half, about two minutes.
Add the pieces of cold butter to the sauce, bit by bit, whisking constantly over medium-high heat. The butter will emulsify, creating a thick creamy sauce.
Once all the butter has been incorporated, remove the pan from the heat. Whisk in the remaining one teaspoon sake and the lime juice.
Season to taste with salt.

Lori Said:

Japanese Recipe: Alternative to cooking sake?

We Answered:

Some people may refer to mirin as sweetened sake but that is inaccurate as they are different. Mirin is the liquid from the mix of glutinous rice, malted rice and shochu (a distilled grain liquor). Mirin is used as a sweetening agent & to give depth to stocks & sauces. I find mirin is great in marinades & stews.

Sake is made from a fermenting process using quality rice, good water & a powdered fermentation agent called koji. If you don't have sake, you can try dry sherry, white wine, dry vermouth, Chinese Shaoxing.

But it's ok to leave it out, I feel that cooking sake is not as indispensable as mirin. Another Japanese wine that you may want to try using in cooking is plum (ume) liquor. Generally I find that I can easily use Japanese rice wines in Western cooking as well, unlike for Chinese cooking wines.

Sake Recipes

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