Japanese Tea Ceremony & Cuisine

As part of our Art Passports journey, I love to include my family in the research and learning process. With young kids, one of the best ways I can connect them to a foreign country especially one they have not visited yet, is through food. The smell, tastes and texture can help kids associate with the culture and expand their palette and horizons.

Depending on where you live, cooking food from another country can seem daunting. Will I be able to find the ingredients and can I actually create this dish? Some ingredients are more easily accessible than others but you can easily make alterations and enjoy cuisine from other parts of the world from your very own home. We look to unique local markets. If you really are resistant to cook, you can always try a local restaurant you have never tried.

Being an island and due to the terrain of Japan, fish, rice and seaweed are a large part of the country’s diet. The first food most people associate with the country is sushi, rice and miso but the palette extends way beyond. I encourage you to research various recipes that spark your interest and dietary needs but I have included a few here inspired by Japan as well as links on my Pinterest Board.

We have had several nights this month of creating Japanese influenced dishes. We did a sashimi night with tuna, salmon and vegetarian rolls served with a zucchini dish, salad with carrot ginger dressing and homemade miso soup. We have also created some vegetarian udon and rice bowls and had a our own version of a tea ceremony. Trying new foods can be such an amazing experience to try with friends and family!

RECIPES INSIPRED BY JAPAN

Homemade Sashimi & Sushi

• 4 Cups Cooke Premium Grade Japanese Sushi Rice

• Assorted Sushi Grade Fish (1-2 Pounds)

• Japanese Pickled Ginger

• Wasabi

• Soy Sauce or Tamari

• Rice Vinegar

Japanese Cucumber Salad

• 1 cucumber

• 1 tsp soy sauce

• 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar

• 2 tsp sugar

• 1 tsp sesame seeds

• salt

Directions: Cut cucumbers lengthwise, then quarter. Add salt and let sit for 5 minutes. Blot the excess water from cucumbers. Mix remaining ingredients with cucumbers, add sesame seeds and enjoy!

Vegan Sushi Roll by Food with Feeling

Japanese Zucchini by Spicy Southern Kitchen

Homemade Miso Soup by The Kitchn

Watermelon Poke Bowl by Tasty

Vegetarian Miso Ramen by Love & Good Stuff

Salad with Carrot & Ginger Dressing by Gwenyth Paltrow / Goop

Minty Iced Matcha Latte by Cookie & Kate