Photo by jasja dekker.Dish of the week: inari
In the world of nigiri sushi, fish is king, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other delicious options. Inari is not the most beautiful piece of sushi out there, especially compared to a glistening, gem-like slice of tuna. However, this humble puff of fried tofu filled with rice offers a slightly sweet, chewy counterpoint to typical sushi flavors like soy and wasabi. Whether you’re a vegetarian, concerned about overfishing, or just want a break from the usual raw fish and rice parade, inari is a special treat worth seeking out.
Like any good piece of sushi, inari seems elegantly simple but is difficult to get just right. Fried tofu skin is simmered in a mixture of dashi stock, sugar, soy, and mirin, before being stuffed with either plain rice or a mixture of rice and vegetables. The best inari should be moist and sweet without becoming cloying or sticky. My favorite version, available at Kotobuki, includes a slice of pickled ginger inside the tofu wrapping to give it a kick of vinegar and gingery heat. However, if you’re not able to make it out to the Palisades, fear not. Next time you’re noshing on sushi, just plop a slice of ginger on top of your inari before taking your first bite.
Small Bites
Most favored son
Congrats to Mike Isabella, who was recently voted the People’s Best New Chef in Food & Wine. Other local nominees for the Mid-Atlantic category included David Gaus of Bayou Bakery, Karen Nicolas of Equinox, and Bibiana’s Nicholas Stefanelli.
Where’s the beef?
Nothing goes better with a St. Patrick’s Day beer than some sauerkraut and corned beef. Capitol City Brewing will be serving $4 Irish ales and stouts, alongside corned beef and Shepherd’s pie all day on Saturday. Meanwhile, Bayou Bakery will be putting a New Orleans’ spin on St. Patty’s Day with corned beef po-boys, a crawfish boil, and Abita beers on special. And, if you still can’t get enough, Washingtonian has a list of 12 places to eat corned beef this weekend.
Ripple effect
Cleveland Park restaurant Ripple has announced they will be opening a gourmet market, dubbed Sugar Magnolia, on March 22nd. Tasty treats include a variety of homemade ice cream sandwiches in flavors like coconut coffee and maple bacon, as well as artisanal sandwiches, cookies, and terrines and pates. Eater has the scoop on the full menu.
