| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 40 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 320 | 8g | 1.2g | 57g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 8g | 6g | 9g | 1.8g |
Our journey today departs from the well-trodden path of Italian-American cuisine that I’m so fond of, and travels to the rich, umami-filled flavors of the East with the Japanese Arame Rice. With a lineage traced back to the ancient island of Japan, this dish is a celebration of simplicity, health, and unmatched taste, just waiting to be served on your dinner table.
Fusion Food with a Health Kick
As an Italian-American grandfather who enjoys hiking, I love to approach food as not just sustenance, but as a loving harmony of cultures and health. And when it comes to the Japanese Arame Rice, I indeed feel a kinship. The Arame seaweed, a staple in Japanese cuisine, is ridden with iodine, calcium, and lots of dietary fiber. Couple this with the hearty brown rice, a low glycemic index food that aids digestion and full of essential nutrients, it’s a culinary marvel with a health kick.
With the dish being generously filled with a rainbow of vegetables, toasted sesame seeds, and aromatic sauces, it’s similar to the vibrant ‘Chirashi’, a classic Japanese dish often served with sushi rice.
The Allure of Japanese Arame Rice
Diced carrots, bell peppers, cucumber, along with green onions, lend a crunch that meshes wonderfully with the savory sesame oil and mirin. And then there’s the surprise element, a cup of fresh diced fruits of your choice. Pineapple, mango, or even peaches could be a bending curve in this dish, adding an unexpected freshness that perfectly offsets the umami from the tamari or soy sauce.
This inclusiveness hints at another reason why I love this recipe: for its versatility. Japanese Arame Rice is a standalone prowess, but it is also an excellent pair to grilled tofu or tempeh, not to mention Vegetable Tempura, for a wholesome Japanese meal right at home.
So next time adventure calls in the kitchen, whip out your Arame seaweed, brown rice, and a medley of vegetables. The Japanese Arame Rice is sure to transport your tastebuds to the land of the rising sun, while providing a nourishing meal that appeals to the heart, health, and palate alike.
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup Arame seaweed
- 2 cups brown rice
- 4 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced bell peppers
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 1 cup of your favorite fresh diced fruit (such as pineapple or mango)
Method
Step One
Begin by rinsing the brown rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This will remove any built-up starch on the rice and lead to a fluffier final cooked product.
Step Two
Place the rinsed rice into a pot along with the vegetable broth. Turn on the heat and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Let the rice cook for about 45 minutes, until it’s tender.
Step Three
While the rice is cooking, take some time to prepare your vegetables. Dice your carrots, bell peppers, cucumber and fruit, and slice your green onions. Set these aside for later.
Step Four
In a separate bowl, rehydrate your Arame seaweed in some warm water. It should take about 15 minutes for the seaweed to become soft and ready to cook. Once it’s rehydrated, drain the water and set it aside.
Step Five
Once your rice has finished cooking, remove the pot from the heat and fluff it with a fork. Then, stir in the tamari or soy sauce, mirin, and sesame oil. Mix well to make sure the sauces are incorporated into the rice evenly.
Step Six
In a large pan or wok, stir fry the diced carrots, peppers and rehydrated seaweed in a bit more sesame oil for approximately 5-7 minutes or until vegetables are tender but still crispy.
Step Seven
Add the cooked rice to the vegetable mix in the pan or wok. Toss in the cucumber, diced fruit, and green onions. Drizzle over the rice vinegar and give everything a good mix.
Step Eight
Serve the warm Arame rice garnished with the toasted sesame seeds. Enjoy as a main dish or a side.
