Japanese Seasoning Blend
Photography by Manja Wachsmuth.
Use this nutty, earthy and salty seasoning with seafood, rice and vegetable dishes. It’s also delicious for fries and eggs.
INGREDIENTS
4 sheets toasted nori
3 tablespoons dried bonito flakes
1 cup sesame seeds
2 tablespoons black poppy seeds
2 teaspoons Sichuan peppercorns
3 teaspoons sea salt
½ teaspoon chilli flakes, or more, to taste, if you want a hot version
METHOD
Cut the nori sheets into small pieces with scissors and place in a spice grinder or small food processor. Add the bonito flakes and process until finely ground.
Tip into a bowl and set aside.
Toast the sesame seeds and poppy seeds in a dry sauté pan until golden and fragrant. Add to the nori.
Toast the Sichuan peppercorns in the same dry pan until fragrant, then add to the bowl along with the sea salt and chilli flakes.
Stir together then put half into the spice grinder and pulse to combine but don’t grind to a powder.
Repeat with the remaining spice mix, then combine both batches.
Divide between small jars and seal. The seasoning will keep for 2–3 weeks then starts to lose its vibrant flavour. Makes about 2¼ cups
Keep up to date with
dish weekly recipes,
food news, and events.
latest issue:
Issue #119
Welcome to 2025 and a brand-new year of whipping up delicious recipe withdish! We start the year right with issue 119, jam-packed with easy, mouthwatering meals to make at home. From stunning salads to quick and tasty one-pan chicken dishes, to spectacular sweet treats. We have duos covered with our dinners for two, plenty of wonderful recipes for easy flavour-packed entertaining and make the most of the abundance of fresh seasonal produce. We finish off with a whistle-stop tour of South Australia’s wine country and a round-up of our top tipples from 2024. The latest issue of dish is on sale NOW at all good bookstores and supermarkets – don’t miss it!