A Year in Japan

If you've enjoyed reading this blog, I ask that you consider reading the book that was FINALLY born of all this writing.  

Available for NOOK at www.bn.com ($7.50), or in paperback per email request to ayearinjapan2005@gmail.com ($15, including shipping).  

70 black & white pages of bliss - at least, it  was bliss for me to write.  

Thank you for reading.  :) 

A Year in Japan

Lauren's 'Asian' Dressing

I whipped up this salad dressing last week and thought it was too good not to share.  


Mix the vinegars and the oils in whatever proportion you like; the key is that the total vinegar to total oil ratio is 1:3.  I just pour everything out into my tablespoon measure as I go along, so I know the end total will be 1:3.    


In a ceramic bowl, mix:
-good-quality balsamic vinegar
-red wine vinegar 
-1 Tbsp. red miso paste or ginger miso paste 
(the ginger miso I found at a Kings supermarket)


With a fork or whisk, blend miso paste evenly into the vinegars.


Add:
-pepper
-sesame seeds
-black sesame seeds (optional)


Mix again, then into the vinegar+miso mixture add:
-toasted sesame oil (a bit expensive, but SO delicious and worth it!!)
-olive oil


Blend thoroughly with a fork or whisk...et voila!  I love this combo so much that I don't even add anything else to my greens.  It makes for a pretty elegant pre-dinner salad.  


This dressing would probably be good with freshly-grated ginger, too.  


Enjoy!