You are probably aware that tofu has been an essential part of Japanese cuisine for several hundred years but did you know that it can also be prepared in over 100 different ways?!?      Tofu – a wonderfully versatile meat substitute – can be boiled, baked, grilled, fried, broiled, marinated or pureed. And it’s also an easy-to-digest protein or B vitamin and calcium supplement to your diet.

Unfortunately for the untrained tofu handler, preparing dishes with tofu can prove very challenging. That’s why on July 25^th, eight brave JETAA Portlanders attended the Miso Magic School of Japanese and Thai Cooking to learn how to make a four delicious and tofu-infused Japanese recipes. The Japanese Dinner Course with Tofu is one of six different 2.5hr. “hands-on” cooking courses taught by Chef Noriko Hirayama, a Kobe native and founder of the cooking school.

The Japanese Dinner Course with Tofu or “Tofu Tricks” course covers various topics like storing, draining, cutting and seasoning tofu, as well as, detailed preparation of:

-        Shira-Ae- warm spinach salad, carrots, konyakku and tofu dressing
-        Gomoku meshi- seasoned rice with tofu and vegetables
-        Tofu Teriyaki- pan-seared tofu steaks with sautéed spinach and enoki mushrooms
-        Tofu Burgers with salmon, carrots, shitake mushrooms and green onions

If you enjoy tofu and are looking for some exciting new recipe ideas, you should definitely look into taking this class. Or if you just love to eat Japanese foods, you’ll also enjoy the wonderful leftovers you get to take home after the dishes are made.

For a complete class schedule or more information about Miso Magic School of Japanese and Thai Cooking, please visit http://www.misomagic.com/ or contact Chef Noriko by phone or email: info@misomagic.com or 503-867-6367.

For future cultural events, contact cultural@jetaaportland.com*

Related posts:

1. Iron Chef 2010
2. Iron Chef 2009
3. International School Activities & Events