Hijiki nimono

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

2 oz Hijiki 3 tb Shoyu (soy sauce)
2 oz Carrots 2 tb Sake
1 Age (deep-fried tofu) puff 2 tb Mirin
1/3 Block hard tofu 1 ts White sesame seeds
5 Green beans -- lightly sauteed
2 tb Sesame oil Seven pepper; to taste
1 c Dashijiru (soup stock) - (Shichimitogarashi) A.) Rinse the hijiki in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water. In
3 times the amount of warm water

Instructions:

soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the hijiki with a tea strainer. (Sand and pebbles will sink to the bottom of the bowl.) Return to fine-mesh strainer and drain off excess water. Grate the carrots into matchstick slivers. Dip the age puff for 30 seconds in boiling water and cut into matchstick slivers. Place tofu in a heated skillet and mash with a spatula. Let it simmer in its own water until reduced to small crumbs. Snap the ends off the green beans and place in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes. Immerse in iced water drain and cut into 1/2-inch-long pieces. B.) In a heated skillet saute sesame oil hijiki carrots age and tofu (all completely drained of water). When ingredients have acquired a shiny appearance add dashijiru shoyu sake and mirin. Reduce heat to low and cook stirring frequently until liquid has been absorbed. Turn off heat and add green beans. C.) Place B in serving dish sprinkle with sauteed sesame seeds. If you like add seven-taste pepper to taste. Source: The Folk Art of Japanese Country Cooking by Gaku Homma Typed for you by Karen Mintzias