Donburi - Japanese Rice Bowl

Ingredients

• 2 cups (470ml) cooked Japanese short-grain rice 2 cups (470ml) cooked Japanese short-grain rice
• 200g tofu, cubed 200g tofu, cubed
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 100g shiitake mushrooms, sliced 100g shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1 tablespoon sake 1 tablespoon sake
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
• Pickled vegetables, for garnish Pickled vegetables, for garnish
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 48g, 8g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the tofu cubes and cook until golden brown on all sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. 2.
   In the same pan, add the sliced onion, carrot, bell pepper, and shiitake mushrooms. Sauté until the vegetables are tender.
3. 3.
   In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and stir well to coat.
4. 4.
   Add the cooked tofu back to the pan and simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. 5.
   To serve, divide the cooked rice into bowls and top with the tofu and vegetable mixture. Garnish with sesame seeds, pickled vegetables, and fresh cilantro.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Tofu — Press the tofu before cooking to remove excess moisture and enhance its texture.
• Shiitake mushrooms — Remove the stems before slicing as they can be tough and chewy.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, marinate the tofu in the sauce for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Customize your donburi by adding your favorite vegetables or protein options.
• Experiment with different sauces and garnishes to create unique flavor profiles.
• Use freshly cooked rice for the best texture and taste.
• Don't overcook the vegetables to retain their vibrant colors and crispness.

Serving advice

Serve the donburi hot, allowing the flavors to meld together. Garnish with pickled vegetables and fresh cilantro for an extra burst of flavor and color.

Presentation advice

Arrange the colorful toppings on a bed of steamed rice, creating an appealing visual contrast. Drizzle the sauce over the ingredients and sprinkle sesame seeds for an added touch of elegance.