Why everyone is raving about teriyaki sauce and how to use it
This is one of the most famous Japanese sauces, and its fame extends far beyond the Land of the Rising Sun. While it is based on soy sauce, it contains several other essential ingredients. Although all the components come from Asian cuisine, they can be prepared at home and are readily available in stores. However, sometimes, you need to be careful with it.
Teriyaki sauce boasts a unique sweet and salty taste. It starts with soy sauce but includes sweet and distinctive additions such as honey or maple syrup, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. Original recipes often include rice wine as well.
Teriyaki sauce not only for sushi
Although teriyaki sauce is an excellent addition to sushi, its global popularity began with this dish. It is versatile, usable hot or cold, for marinating, and even for frying. It pairs well with crispy spring rolls, baked or grilled meats, and fish. A classic combination is a grilled salmon fillet with teriyaki sauce. However, the marinade works exceptionally well for poultry. The sauce is also great for stir-frying vegetables like broccoli, peppers, carrots, or mushrooms, giving them a unique caramelized aroma.
It has the fifth taste - umami
Do you like teriyaki sauce? No wonder—it exemplifies the umami flavor, which makes food even more enjoyable. Soy sauce, the main ingredient of this Asian delicacy, is rich in monosodium glutamate, a natural umami flavor enhancer. Because of this, it is easy to overuse teriyaki sauce, so caution is sometimes needed. Soy sauce is very high in sodium, which can be problematic for people with high blood pressure or kidney issues. In such cases, it's better to opt for reduced-sodium soy sauce. Another concern is sugar, which can raise blood glucose levels. People with diabetes should be cautious about their intake of teriyaki sauce. It's also not recommended for weight-loss diets due to its significant calorie content. In these situations, making the sauce yourself is a better option; it pairs well with salmon.
Salmon with teriyaki sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1.5 tablespoons maple syrup or 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 2 teaspoons grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, finely grated
- 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
Preparation:
- Wash the salmon, remove the skin, and pat dry.
- Prepare a marinade with ingredients (excluding sesame seeds and sesame oil). Combine and mix thoroughly.
- Rub each fillet with a tablespoon of the marinade and refrigerate for an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 430°F. Bake the fillets for about 15 minutes, sprinkling them with sesame seeds just before the end.
- Heat the remaining sauce, and add the sesame oil.
- Pour the sauce over the baked salmon. Serve the prepared salmon with rice. It also pairs well with vegetables, such as spinach or green beans.
