Taste of Japan and Sake Live vol.63

Products used in "Taste of Japan and Sake vol.63"

CHIKUWA WITH BASIL AND UMEBOSHI

Add a Japanese twist to your next BBQ with this easy and flavourful idea!

Chikuwa - a popular Japanese baked fishcake shaped like a hollow tube - is delicious on its own, but even better when filled with something tasty. Traditionally, people enjoy it stuffed with crisp cucumber or creamy cheese, cut into bite-sized pieces like sushi.

For the BBQ, take it up a notch: fill the chikuwa with sweet and tangy umeboshi (pickled plum) paste and a hint of fresh basil for a unique, mouthwatering combination. Paired with skewered asparagus, these colourful bites are simple to prepare and look beautiful on the plate. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

1 pack                 Chikuwa

3 Tbsp                 Neriume Plum (Pickled Plum Paste)

Handful             Fresh Basil

4                             Asparagus

7                             Bamboo Skewers

Preparations and Cooking

1.      Slice one side of a Japanese fish cake tube, chikuwa.

2.      Spread a line of pickled plum paste inside.

3.      Stuff in a generous pinch of fresh basil.

4.      Roll the chikuwa up tightly from bottom to top.

5.      Secure with skewers in three places, then cut between them — and just like that, you’ve got 3 tasty chikuwa rolls!

6.      For a perfect match, cut asparagus into 5 cm pieces, thread them onto skewers, and grill over charcoal for a few minutes on each side.