Good Lifestyle

Our taste buds have learned to recognizeumami in Japanese cuisine, with this delicious depth of flavor that comes with some seasonings. A Japanese staple, mirin, is often found in traditional recipes. This substitute rice wine for sugar provides a balance to the saltiness of soy or miso. But what is mirin, and what can you replace when you do not have at hand? We get to the bottom of it so you can keep the kitchen simple subs you may have in your kitchen already.

What mirin?

Much sweeter than love, mirin is used as a sugar substitute in Japanese cuisine, and it is also known as a drink. The alcohol content is about 10 to 14 percent, but will burn during cooking, leaving the flat with a slight sweetness.

Mirin has a distinct flavor that contributes to its flavor. In reality,the scientists identified 39 key compounds which contribute to the unique smell. The malted rice and mashed elderly are part of the combination of ingredients that impart a rich flavor to the liquid. Mirin is stronger than you think, and it is able to mask the flavor of the fish and add a nice glaze to dishes.

Cooking at home can choose between pureHon mirin, Which translates as "authentic mirin or true" or aji mirin, which means "tastes like mirin. "Naturally fermented Hon mirin has more alcohol and is generally more expensive than Aji mirin, which generally contains less expensive fillers, like other sugars, rice vinegar, corn syrup, and artificial colors. There are two key elements of my colleague authentic mirin: koji, which is fermented rice with a particular mold found in Japan and shochu, the national drink of Japan (No, this is not good!).

RELATED: Easy, healthy, 350 calorie recipe ideas you can do at home.

The best substitute mirin

If you do not cook Japanese food often, you may find yourself without mirin in the pantry when it's time to make a teriyaki sauce, sautéed vegetables, or a soy mirin marinade. No need to stress there are several substitutes mirin who work almost as well. In a pinch, a simple sugar and water combination, honey or agave syrup can mimic the sweetness of mirin. A good rule of thumb is a 3: 1 ratio for sugar water to the correct level of sweetness. However, these alternative options mirin lack the umami taste nice.

Best mirin substitutes have both sour and sweet properties, and they include:

• sweet Marsala wine
• dry white wine
• dried cherry
• rice wine vinegar

These are not quite as sweet, then try adding 1/2 teaspoon of sugar per tablespoon substitute.

If you like the idea of ​​cooking with alcohol,mizkan mirin is the version without alcohol.

Where can I find mirin?

Japanese specialty markets and mirin grocery store and as my colleague Aji mirin. If you do not have a Japanese or Asian specialty store near you and that you are seeking authentic mirin, thissmall batch Japanese mirin Sumiya brewed by the family in the coastal city of Hekinan is available on Amazon.

Otherwise, brands likeKikkoman are fairly easy to find, and can also be found in grocery stores throughout the United States.