Grilled Teriyaki Eel with Sesame Glaze

Ingredients

• 4 eel fillets (about 6 ounces/170g each) 4 eel fillets (about 6 ounces/170g each)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) mirin 2 tablespoons (30ml) mirin
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) sake 2 tablespoons (30ml) sake
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) honey 2 tablespoons (30ml) honey
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) sesame oil 1 tablespoon (15ml) sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) sesame seeds 2 tablespoons (30ml) sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon (5g) grated ginger 1 teaspoon (5g) grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon (5g) minced garlic 1 teaspoon (5g) minced garlic

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 15g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, honey, sesame oil, grated ginger, and minced garlic to make the teriyaki marinade.
2. 2.
   Place the eel fillets in a shallow dish and pour the teriyaki marinade over them. Ensure the fillets are fully coated. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight for enhanced flavor.
3. 3.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. 4.
   Remove the eel fillets from the marinade, reserving the marinade for basting.
5. 5.
   Grill the eel fillets for about 3-4 minutes on each side, basting with the reserved marinade occasionally, until they are cooked through and slightly charred.
6. 6.
   While the eel is grilling, prepare the sesame glaze by toasting the sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat until golden brown. Remove from heat and let them cool slightly. Grind the toasted sesame seeds using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder until they form a coarse powder.
7. 7.
   In a small saucepan, combine the ground sesame seeds with 2 tablespoons of the reserved teriyaki marinade. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the glaze thickens slightly.
8. 8.
   Once the eel fillets are cooked, remove them from the grill and drizzle the sesame glaze over the top. Garnish with sliced green onions.
9. 9.
   Serve the Grilled Teriyaki Eel with Sesame Glaze hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Eel — Ensure that the eel fillets are fresh and properly cleaned before marinating. If fresh eel is not available, you can use frozen eel fillets, but make sure to thaw them completely before marinating.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra smoky flavor, you can grill the eel fillets over charcoal instead of a gas grill.
• If you prefer a sweeter glaze, you can add a bit more honey to the sesame glaze.
• Serve the Grilled Teriyaki Eel with steamed rice and a side of pickled vegetables for a complete Japanese meal.
• If you don't have access to eel, you can substitute it with grilled salmon or trout for a similar flavor experience.
• To prevent the eel fillets from sticking to the grill, lightly oil the grill grates before placing the fillets.

Serving advice

Serve the Grilled Teriyaki Eel with Sesame Glaze as the main course of a Japanese-inspired dinner. Pair it with steamed rice, a side of pickled vegetables, and a refreshing cucumber salad for a well-rounded meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the grilled eel fillets on a platter, drizzle the sesame glaze over them, and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve the dish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for an added visual appeal.