Tai Zuke Don - Marinated Sea Bream Rice Bowl

Ingredients

• 4 sea bream fillets (200g each) 4 sea bream fillets (200g each)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons mirin 2 tablespoons mirin
• 2 tablespoons sake 2 tablespoons sake
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 4 cups (800g) steamed Japanese rice 4 cups (800g) steamed Japanese rice
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 400 kcal / 1674 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 5g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 70g, 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a shallow dish, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and grated ginger.
2. 2.
   Place the sea bream fillets in the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Let them marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
3. 3.
   Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Remove the sea bream fillets from the marinade and gently pat them dry with a paper towel.
4. 4.
   Place the fillets in the pan, skin side down, and cook for 3-4 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden. Flip the fillets and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until cooked through.
5. 5.
   Remove the fillets from the pan and let them rest for a few minutes. Then, slice them into bite-sized pieces.
6. 6.
   To assemble the Tai Zuke Don, divide the steamed rice among four bowls. Place the sliced sea bream fillets on top of the rice.
7. 7.
   Garnish with thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
8. 8.
   Serve immediately and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Sea bream — Ensure the sea bream fillets are fresh and of high quality. Look for fillets with firm flesh and a pleasant oceanic smell.
• Soy sauce — Opt for a good quality soy sauce, preferably a Japanese brand, to enhance the flavors of the dish.
• Mirin — Use authentic mirin, a sweet rice wine, to add a subtle sweetness to the marinade.
• Sake — Choose a dry sake for the marinade to balance the flavors and add depth to the dish.
• Toasted sesame seeds — Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan over low heat until they turn golden brown. This will intensify their nutty flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, add a splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the marinade.
• If sea bream is not available, you can substitute it with other white fish such as snapper or flounder.
• To make the dish more filling, serve it with a side of miso soup and a simple cucumber salad.
• Adjust the marinade ingredients according to your taste preferences. You can add a touch of sweetness by increasing the amount of mirin or balance the flavors by adding a bit more soy sauce.
• To achieve a crispy skin on the sea bream fillets, make sure the pan is hot before adding the fish.

Serving advice

Serve Tai Zuke Don immediately after assembling to ensure the fish remains tender and the rice is warm. Accompany it with a small bowl of miso soup and pickled vegetables for a complete Japanese meal experience.

Presentation advice

Present Tai Zuke Don in traditional lacquer bowls to enhance its visual appeal. Arrange the sliced sea bream fillets neatly on top of the steamed rice and sprinkle the green onions and toasted sesame seeds evenly. The vibrant colors of the dish will create an enticing presentation.