Cuisine : Satsuma-age- how to make this Japanese fish cake



Satsuma-age is a traditional Japanese fish cake that originates from the Kagoshima region, formerly known as Satsuma Province. It is a popular dish enjoyed throughout Japan, often as a snack, in soups, or as an ingredient in various dishes such as oden (a hot pot dish) and udon. Satsuma-age is celebrated for its versatility, mild sweetness, and savory umami flavor, making it a beloved component of Japanese cuisine.


The dish typically consists of ground fish paste (surimi), which is seasoned and deep-fried until golden brown. Its dense yet tender texture, combined with a subtle taste of the sea, has made it a favorite among both locals and visitors to Japan.


How Satsuma-age is Prepared


1. Ingredients:


Fish: White-fleshed fish such as cod, pollock, or mackerel is commonly used for its smooth texture and mild flavor.


Seasonings: Sugar, salt, soy sauce, and sake are added to enhance flavor.


Binders and Add-ins: Starch (e.g., potato or cornstarch) and egg white are mixed in to create a firm and cohesive texture. Additional ingredients like finely chopped vegetables, seafood, or herbs can be included for variation.



2. Preparation Steps:


a. Preparing the Fish Paste


The fish is cleaned, deboned, and finely minced or ground into a paste (surimi).


Seasonings, starch, and egg white are added to the surimi, and the mixture is kneaded thoroughly to achieve a smooth, elastic texture.



b. Shaping the Mixture


The paste is shaped into flat, oval, or round patties, though variations like sticks or irregular shapes are also common.



c. Deep-Frying


The shaped fish cakes are deep-fried in oil heated to about 170–180°C (340–355°F).


Frying typically takes a few minutes until the patties develop a golden-brown exterior. This step not only cooks the fish but also gives Satsuma-age its characteristic crispy outer layer.



d. Cooling and Serving


After frying, the Satsuma-age is drained on paper towels to remove excess oil.


It can be served hot or cooled, depending on how it will be used (e.g., as a standalone snack, sliced into soups, or added to stir-fries).



Serving Suggestions


Fresh: Enjoy it on its own with soy sauce or grated ginger.


In Hot Pots: Add it to oden, stews, or soups to absorb flavors.


Stir-fried: Slice it and stir-fry with vegetables or noodles.


Satsuma-age is a simple yet versatile dish that showcases the essence of Japanese culinary artistry: high-quality ingredients, balanced flavors, and attention to texture.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Olympics24 : Julien Alfred of St Lucia becomes fastest woman on earth by winning 100 mtrs

Image
  Saint Lucia's Julien Alfred did wonders to put her country in the Olympics map by beconing the fastest woman on earth . Before the semi-finals, when Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce withdrew, everyone thought Sha'Carri Richardson would easily win the gold. She was expected to become the world's fastest woman. However, Sha'Carri disappointed. St. Lucia's Julien Alfred won the gold in the women's 100 meters at the Olympics, finishing in 10.72 seconds. Sha'Carri secured the silver by finishing second, while America's Melissa Jefferson took bronze. The event was delayed slightly due to rain before the race. Despite the wet track, Julien seemed unaffected. She took the lead right from the start and maintained it until the end. Despite her efforts, Sha'Carri couldn't catch up. Julien set a national record by finishing in 10.72 seconds. Her celebration after winning gold showed how significant this victory was for her and her country. Sha'Car...
Read more

Olympics24 : China dominates TT with 5th consecutive title , France retain volleyball gold , some other event results

Image
  China successfully defended their Golds medal in the men’s table tennis team event with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Sweden at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. This marks their fifth title in the men’s team event, a competition they have dominated since its debut at the Olympic Games Beijing 2008. Host nation France secured the Olympic TT bronze in the men’s event by defeating Japan 3-2. In the women’s table tennis competition, China continued their dominance by winning their fifth consecutive gold medal with a 3-0 victory over Japan. This victory also marked China’s historic 300th Olympic gold medal. Japan took home the silver, while Korea Republic earned the bronze, their first medal in the team event since 2008. In badminton, Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen successfully defended his men’s singles Olympic gold, defeating Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn in straight sets. Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia won the bronze after a three-set victory over India’s Lakshya Sen. Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin of C...
Read more

Olympics24 : Ten men India edge out Britain in tie breaker to storm into hockey SF

Image
  India reached the Olympic hockey semifinals by defeating Britain in a shootout. The match ended 1-1 in regulation time, leading to a shootout where India won 4-2. India played with ten players for 42 minutes to secure the victory. In the semifinals, India will face the winner of the Germany-Argentina match. A win in Tuesday's match will ensure a silver medal for last time's bronze winners at the Paris Olympics. Following the advice of video umpire , Indian defender Amit Rohidas was shown a red card in the fourth minute of the second quarter for unintentional stick contact with a British player’s head. Video umpire Goyentzen suggested it was intentional, and South African field umpire Sean Rapaport recommended a red card, resulting in India playing the rest of the match with ten players. This is the first red card issued in this Olympic hockey tournament. Despite this, India remained undeterred. Coach Craig Fulton adjusted the strategy after going down to ten players. Captain ...
Read more