I’m back! Spring has sprung here in California. It’s sunny outside, gorgeous 75 degree weather, and bird and bees are busy amidst the flowers. I’ve finished my big teacher test, I’ve had some time to rest and recuperate, and I’m ready to get back to this blog. I’ve missed it a lot!
What better thing to talk about than the humble cucumber miso don? This is a pretty traditional summer Japanese dish, because cucumbers are in season, miso is easy to find, and the combination of the two is slightly sweet, slightly salty, cool, cruncy, and refreshing. The perfect thing to eat on a hot, humid summer day!
When I first saw this on Barakamon, I was instantly intrigued. It seemed so simply and yet so delicious, but the way Seishuu made it was a bit…hmmmm…well a bit rough, for lack of a better word. Chunks of un dissolved miso, hunks of cucumber. It was rough, but nonetheless  I was intrigued. So, when the warm weather rolled in here, I was searching for a healthy and easy dish to make and this dish came to mind! Let’s get started. 🙂
The Ingredients
4 small cucumbers
roughly two tablespoons of white miso paste
roughly a half teaspoon of sugar
roughly a tablespoon of rice vinegar
a pinch of salt
cooked rice for the bottom of your bowl
sesame seeds for garnish
Makes 2 large bowls or 4 small
As you can see, these measurements are approximate. Stop frequently to taste as you go! This is such a simple recipe and should be tailored to your tastebuds.
To Make
Wash and thinly slice cucumbers. Toss in a big bowl with a good sprinkle of salt.
In a smaller bowl, mix miso paste with vinegar until a paste forms.
Then, add in sugar. Mix well. Taste here to make sure it suits your taste buds. Add more sugar or salt accordingly. Try dipping in a cucumber slice just to see how you like it.
Drain cucumber slices if any water has emerged. Stir in miso mixture.
Spread cucumber mixture over a bowl of rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
And now it’s done! 🙂 This dish was really refreshing! I would give it 100 refreshing points!
I hope you are able to try this recipe out. It’s beautiful, really tasty, and the perfect thing to enjoy during the spring/summer. And if it’s still winter in your area, then this is a great dish to make to pretend it’s sunny out. Something about the cool green is very calming and rejuvenating.
As always, comment with questions or concerns. If you have an idea of something I can make next, let me know! I’m always looking for new recipes to make. Have a great day.