Japanese Acqua Pazza by Keisuke Matsushima

One of the dishes I recommend to pair with sake is this healthy steamed salmon and shellfish. It is full of umami and goes well with a wide variety of sake. Use some of the sake while cooking as it adds umami, enhances the flavor, and links the dish with the drink.

This dish is easy to make. All you need is just a few simple ingredients, and it will take no more than half an hour to prepare. This dish is easy enough for anyone to cook at home using ordinary ingredients. Sprinkle some sake on salmon and shellfish, and then steam them together – it’s like a Japanese take on Acqua pazza! Garnish the dish with chopped green onions before serving and you’ll be surprised how rich it tastes. If you have access to some Japanese spices and seasonings such as yuzu, chili pepper, Japanese pepper, soy sauce, and/or miso, you can add them to give it a Japanese twist. It’s that simple!

Despite the healthy nature of the dish, you’ll be surprised by how savory it will taste, especially when paired with sake. While the seasoning is limited to what comes out of salmon, shellfish, and sake during steaming, the dish has layers of flavors. It is the umami from each of these ingredients that gives it a deep and satisfying flavor. Enjoy this easy, healthy, and delicious pairing!