Shichimi

Also known as ‘Seven Flavor Chile” because there are usually seven ingredients (shichi = seven), shichimi is a Japanese dried-spice mixture that can be cooked into dishes or added at the end for a complex punch of flavor.  Though regions and families have their own ingredient combinations and proportions, most shichimi contains chiles, citrus peel, sesame seeds, and nori.  Other ingredients may include Szechuan peppercorn, black or white poppyseeds, hemp seeds, paprika, salt, ginger and garlic.

I recently picked up a bag of pre-mixed shichimi and was reminded how versatile and delicious this condiment can be.  You can find shichimi online, or make a batch and keep it in an air tight container for a couple of months.  Sprinkle on or mix into:

• Popcorn (YES will try this!)
• Ground pork to grill
• Roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant or sweet potatoes
• Roasted tofu
• Chicken or beef skewers
• Grilled or pan-fried fish
• Avocados
• Soups just before serving
• Noodles or rice
• Green or vegetable salads

A little update on the dry-stone arch bridge…

Our resident English stone guru Ted Wilson continues to create this limestone beauty, chipping away from each stone everything that is not a bridge.  He also continues to stop for tea time in the morning and afternoon with water heated from a small fire nearby.  We have our own performance-art-in-the-park with the bonus of a stone bridge!

A cool place to spend in the summer heat…

Shichimi

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Grind the spices in a food mill or crush with a mortar and pestle.

1 Tablespoon Ground Sansho, Szechuan or Chile pepper

1 Tablespoon Orange Peel

2 teaspoons Sesame Seeds

1 teaspoon Poppy Seeds

1 teaspoon Black Peppercorns

1 teaspoon Ginger Powder

1 teaspoon Nori (or more if you like it saltier)

Play around with proportions for your personal tastes or spiciness, or add in salt, garlic, paprika or hemp seeds for a little extra punch. 

The buttery colored limestone is from Stone City, Iowa and the pinkish limestone was quarried from Winona, MN then recycled from the beautiful East Side School after it was demolished.