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SubscribeThursday, January 26, 2012
Miso Ginger Asparagus
A reader asked me what miso paste tastes like, while she has enjoyed miso soup at Japanese restaurants, she couldn’t quite imagine what cooking with miso paste would be like.
So what flavor dimension does miso paste add to a dish? If I had to just choose one single word, I’d say “umami” which is just a fancy foodie term that writers and chefs use. This is a tough one…..but okay, if I couldn’t use that word, I’d say, “tasty.” Even just a teaspoon of miso paste added to a dish (whether it’s a sauce for the asparagus, salad dressing, mashed potatoes or casserole) makes the dish tastier.
Miso has a very deep, complex flavor – salty yet slightly sweet, a little nutty. Lately, instead of adding salt to a dish, I’ll stir in a small spoonful of miso paste.
I need a little help from you all – can you help me describe the taste of miso vs. salt? Maybe it’s easier to use an analogy:
Salt is to Miso…….as _____ is to _____.
And hey, the one who comes up with the best analogy gets a prize. How about a $25 gift certificate to the Steamy Kitchen Store?
***
*Why all these miso recipes? I’m developing recipes for Marukome, the makers of Miso & Easy and some of the very best miso paste.
Miso Ginger Asparagus Recipe
This recipe couldn’t be simpler….
Basically, throw the asparagus on a baking sheet and roast. In the meantime, whisk together the remaining ingredients – pour on top when the asparagus is done!
Miso Ginger Asparagus Recipe
Try this with steamed or roasted broccoli, cauliflower or grilled eggplant slices.
Ingredients:
1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed
1 teaspoon cooking oil (olive, canola or vegetable)
2 teaspoons Miso & Easy (or 1 teaspoon miso paste + 1 teaspoon hot water)
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1/2 teaspoon roasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon sesame seedsDirections:
1. Preheat oven to 375F. Place asparagus on baking sheet and drizzle with cooking oil. Toss to coat. Roast asparagus for 8-10 minutes or until pierces easily with fork. Timing depends on how thick the asparagus spears are.
2. While the asparagus is roasting, prepare the ginger miso sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients until smooth.
3. Pour over asparagus and serve.
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66 Responses to “Miso Ginger Asparagus”
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Salt is to Miso at flat is to round.
If it makes any sense at all, I feel like miso has a very “full” flavor that overtakes the entire palate (in a good way!)
Salt is to miso as water is to chicken stock.
I think miso as a strong element of savory. It’s about the depth of flavor you get, like the difference between making soup with water as a base instead of stock. It’s just sooooooo much better with the stock.
I wouldn’t know how to describe the taste of miso…sorry I’m no help there, but you did a good job. I have been baking asparagus for some time now and always change what I put on top. This is perfect, I’m trying it this way next!!!
Salt is to miso as remorse is to VICTORY TO THE MAX.
I do not like asparagus very much, but no problem. They are wonderful for a risotto.
Salt is to miso as packaged ramen is to mom’s homemade chicken soup. I just made this recipe and it will be my new standby for asparagus. Delicious!
I just made some soup the other day for my sick hubby and added miso. He said, “What is the flavor in this soup? It’s hard to describe. It’s comforting…no…addicting!”
That’s the best way I can describe it.
Salt is to miso as grass is to basil.
I’ve been meaning to pick up some miso paste – I’ve got a few recipes I want to try with it! Add this one to the list
Salt is to miso as tomatoes are to sun-dried tomatoes.
Salt is to miso as olive oil is to butter!
Salt is to miso as sugar is to honey.
Both miso and honey go beyond their simpler counterparts in adding depth and complexity, from flavor to mouthfeel, resulting from where and how they are produced.
Brilliant recipe! And the analogies are pretty clever.
Salt is to miso as worchestire is to anchovies…..
Salt is to miso as nutty is to anchovies. I’ve always been terrible at analogies.
Salt is to Miso … as … looking at a photo of the Grand Canyon (or the Rocky mountains) to actually standing at the spot where the picture is taken – The photo, while beautiful, is only 2-dimensional. It can never capture the 3-dimensional beautify and the depth of field your eyes can see from being there in person. Salt enhances the flavor of food, but miso adds that depth and that flavor you’re looking for to make the dish just right. Sorry this is long!
Salt is to Miso as a Kazoo is to the Berliner Philharmonic conducted by von Karajan… A Kazoo is fine when you want a quick result, but opera on a Kazoo is simply embarassing
Wasabi, Miso, Teriyaki – three kitchen essentials to add a Japanese edge.
Salt is to miso as Tabasco sauce is to sriracha.
I’m always looking for ways to spice up asparagus and this looks perfect! Matter of fact, I think a trip to the store is in order before days end. I’ve been looking for an excuse to buy miso.
salt is to miso as honey is to molasses
We love asparagus. I will have to try this. Usually I pan raost it, infact my daughter pan roasted some the other night just to have in our panini. Love it and miso could onldy dmake it better.
Salt is to miso as pinenuts are to pesto.
I am going to try this tonight, looks great, i forgot there was so many ways to eat this
Salt is to miso as white rice is to brown rice.
Salt is to miso as sugar is to caramel.
Salt is to miso as instant decaf is to fine quality french roast
Salt is to miso as butter is to guacamole
Salt is to miso as garlic is to pesto?
Whoops, someone already said pesto.
Salt is to miso as ketchup is to hoisin sauce.
Salt is to miso as red pepper flakes is to koo cho jang
Salt is to miso as regular white vinegar is to a reduction of yuzu, lime, and grapefruit
Beautiful !!!!!!
I love asparagus, this looks absolutely fantastic Jaden!!!
Ok Now for the analogy…..
Salt is to Miso is as OK is to Delicious!!!!
I believe that,s what happens ,everything becomes Delicious from Ok once Miso is added….
Salt is to Miso as a chicken egg is to caviar
Salt is to Miso…….as Rice is to Sushi
Salt is to Miso as Water is to Ambrosia (also known as the food or drink of the Gods)
One is often considered necessary but the other is so superior that there is no comparison.
WHERE WOULD I FIND MISO PASTE ?
Miso is to Asparagus as butter is to corn….
Salt is to miso as a handshake is to a hug.
Most traditionally, Chinese barbecue joints use this condiment to give intrigue to plain poached chicken. It’s a beautiful combination, hitting you upfront with all kinds of wicked flavor then letting the chicken’s subtler charms shine through as you chew. But it also works as a dip or slathered onto anything that can use a fresh, salty, oniony, bracing kick. Like, as I said, rice or boiled noodles or bread or sautéed shrimp or scrambled eggs. Mmmm … scrambled eggs. I don’t really recommend upholstery, but you know, I wouldn’t judge.
Salt is to Miso as Tart is to Balsamic vinegar
XOXO LOVE Miso.
Salt is to Miso as Sugar is to Macaron.
Would you suggest other dishes that is good with this miso sauce? It is yummy! Thanks.
Now I know were to go for all of my miso emergencies.
so I went to the miso link you posted. Is there miso Organic/non GMO?
Salt is to Miso as Jaden is to Cooking!
I would describe miso as a soy bean based flavor enhancer. Bouillon, in western cooking, is similar in context to miso. In the case of miso, soy beans are transitioned (processed) to a preservative paste stage.
An example of similar processing is the curd which results when milk sours, which then is the basis of cheese. With soy beans, another result is bean curd, also a flavor enhancer used in Chinese cooking.
Does this make any sense to you?
This looks delicious. I did not try asparagus until last year. I cannot believe I waited forty *grumbles inaudibly* something years to try it. Salt is to miso as juice is to wine!
Miso is similiar to soy sauce…..I believe I read that somewhere….
I’ve always thought miso tastes a bit like it has some alcohol in it. It is particularly reminiscent of Chinese rice wine (xiaoxing).
Salt is to miso like soy sauce is to kecap manis
Great recipe, I personally cook it a little less then was is said in your recipe.
Your spicing is awesome! I really enjoyed it And I found it useful for other things as well!.
Thank you and keep up the good job!
Salt is to miso as starch is to potatoes!
Salt is to miso as the radio is to a Rolls Royce.
salt is to miso as sugar is to molasses!