Japanese caramelized soy fish

The way fish is prepared in Japanese cuisine is

one of my favorites. The balance between savory and

sweet of this preparation is easy to achieve. Use any

white fish as long as it's not too flaky or flat like trout or sole.

I serve it with a little bit of arugula ( for its peppery flavor) and

some grated daikon.

(serves 2)

Ingredients:

- 3/4 lb white fish

- 1 tsp white sugar

- 2 tsp soy sauce

- 1 tbsp neutral oil (canola, grapeseed)

- freshly ground black pepper

- handful of arugula (optional)

- grated daikon (optional)

- Japanese rice (optional)

Directions:

Put a pan over medium/high heat and wait until it's hot. Add oil and fish, cook for 2 minutes (depending on its thickness, you may have to cook it for less or more). Add soy sauce and sugar, lower the heat and flip the fish over. Cook for another 2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and is caramelizing/sticking on the fish. Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper and serve.

Oshitashi (boiled spinach with soy and sesame seeds)

This is a very common side dish you will find in most Japanese 

restaurants and few ingredients are needed for its preparation.

You can have it as a side or eat it with a bowl of rice with pickles,

umeboshi, mentaiko, bonito flakes, etc... The options are endless!

 The flavors are delicate, clean and perfectly balanced.

Ingredients:

- 1 bag pre-washed spinach

- 1 tsp sesame oil

- 1 tsp sesame seeds

- 1 tsp soy sauce

Directions:

Bring a pot or large pan of water to boil, with a little salt added. 

Add spinach to boiling water and cook for a minute. Take the spinach out as soon as it starts to wilt a little (don't wait until it's completely wilted). Shock it in a bowl of cold water and ice (this stops it from cooking). 

Remove the spinach from ice water and squeeze out as much water as you can without pressing too hard on the spinach. You'll end up with a ball about the size of your hand. Roughly chop it, squeeze out a bit more water and gently separate the leaves. 

Put the spinach in a bowl and add soy, sesame seeds and sesame oil. Mix well and serve!