Sake appetizer recipes

Japanese|Summer|Vegetables|茄子と雲丹のゼリー寄せ

Eggplant and Sea Urchin Aspic

Culinary Studio Karinary Art 2025.Aug

Houraisen Junmai Daiginjo 'Shuppinshu'

Ingredients

Eggplant 1 pc - cut lengthwise in half
White Eggplant 1 pc - cut lengthwise in half
Sea Urchin (Uni) 50 g
Ginger 15 g - finely chopped, blanched in boiling water, then squeezed
Zha Cai (Sichuan Pickled Mustard Stem) 20 g - finely chopped, blanched in boiling water, then squeezed

<Seasonings>

Dashi stock 350 ml
Dark soy sauce 20 ml
Light soy sauce 20 ml
Mirin 40 ml

<Gelatin Mixture>

Powdered Gelatin 15 g
Water 3 tbsp

<Garnish>

Perilla leaf, Shiso sprigs  

Instructions

  1. In plenty of boiling water, add a splash of vinegar (not listed in ingredients). Place the eggplant skin-side down, cover with a paper lid, and boil for about 3 minutes. → Transfer to cold water to chill quickly. Peel the white eggplant.
  2. Heat the <Seasonings>. Once it comes to a boil, remove from heat and dissolve the pre-soaked gelatin. Place over ice water to cool.
  3. Add the minced ginger, zha cai, and bite-sized pieces of eggplant to step 2.
  4. Pour the mixture from step 3 into a mold until 70% full, then place the sea urchin. Carefully pour in the remaining gelatin mixture. Refrigerate for about 2 hours until set.
  5. Cut into portions and serve with perilla leaf and shiso sprigs.