Cucumber, carrot & wakame (seaweed) salad

This is a refreshing Japanese salad with a pickled dressing that can be served on the side with other dishes. 

Ingredients:

1 cucumber

2 large carrots (peeled)

2 tbsp dried wakame seaweed

For the dressing

100ml rice vinegar

3 tsp sugar

Half tsp salt

Instructions:
1. Put all the ingredients for the dressing in a clean empty jam jar or a small lunch box. Secure with a lid and shake the dressing a few times to allow the sugar to dissolve into the rice vinegar. Set aside.

2. Place the dried wakame seaweed in water for about 10 minutes and then drain on kitchen towel.
 
3. Cut the cucumber in half. Use a tablespoon to take the seeds out of the middle of the cucumber. Slice the cucumber into bite size pieces.
 
4. Use a peeler or grater to finely slice the carrots.
 
5. Place all ingredients in a large salad bowl.


6. Pour the dressing over the ingredients and mix well. Leave in the fridge for 20 minutes before serving.

Easy Japanese Meals - my Japanese Cooking Demos

I had my first Japanese cooking demo focusing on "Easy Japanese Meals" on February 13th in Miele Gallery Citywest Dublin. I was really pleased to kick off my 2014 series of cooking demos with a full house. Hopefully this will continue for the rest of the year. Thanks to all who attended and gave me such positive feedback on facebook and via email. 

My next demos are on March 6th and April 14th, I'm currently taking bookings with places still available. If you'd like to book a place send an email to fionasjapanesecooking@gmail.com or comment here. 

Here is a sneak preview of the recipes covered in the Easy Japanese Meals class:

- Refreshing Japanese salad

- Yakisoba

- Chicken katsu curry

- Poached fish in a teriyaki sauce

- And lots more.........

I'm attaching the article that Marie Claire Digby from the Irish Times wrote about my classes. I received an overwhelming response from the Irish public after the publication of this article. It looks like people living in Ireland have a real interest in Japanese food and culture.