Burns Night surprise!

"What's for dinner tonight?", I queried as I hung up my jacket after coming home.

"It's a surprise", she said, closing the kitchen door quickly.

I'm intrigued.  Hmm, let's piece together the clues. Burns Night, check. Surprise, check.  Could we be having a haggis dinner Japanese style?

No.  Smoked oysters, smoked mussels, wasabi (big dollop), sushi rice with umeboshi on top and a large bowl of wakame and spring greens in a miso broth (not pictured).  Now I did not think of that!

It's been a while since we had either oysters or mussels so having both at the same time was a rare treat.  They are very similar in taste though but their densities differ quite a bit, with the oysters not being quite as firm as the mussels. The wasabi and lemon slice were meant to be decorative but I ate some of it with the seafood and mixed some of the rest in with my rice and the remainder in the miso broth.  I'm sure there are a few Japanese whose toes are curling at the thought.

Rock Pool soup

Tonight was salmon night, poached of course, accompanied by a bowl of sushi rice with umeboshi on the top.  The big surprise was the bowl of Rock Pool soup!  Well that's what I'm calling it anyway as it looked like a small rock pool.  It's actually a miso soup with wakame (a type of seaweed) and mushroom.  Maybe I should say wakame with mushroom and miso as it was mostly wakame!  No picture this time but next time we have it I'll post one up.

Very tasty indeed and with added health benefits.

Japanese style dinner

Tonight's dinner was really tasty and filling too!

The salmon was steamed and served cold with preserved whole lemons which we sliced and de-seeded.  They are quite sweet and the skin is quite delicate.


The sprouting beans are about four different types but as the packet has been thrown out I'm not sure what they all are.  Bought them in Sainsburys so if you are interested take a look in the fresh fruit and veg section. 


Juliennes of carrot and celery were served with some halved pomodorinos.  They are very sweet too for a tomato.


Was expecting some sushi rice in the covered bowl when I took this photo but got a pleasant surprise when I lifted the lid and found mashed sweet potato with tamari dressing.


Loving this new eating regime!  Mmm mmm (for Chris I, I know he must have missed that over the Christmas period).