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Japanese Recipes Side Dish Vegetarian

Yakitori Grilled Vegetables

Yakitori-style mushrooms and vegetables make the ideal sidedish for grilled teriyaki, chicken or fish. These grilled skewers are also known as kushiyaki.

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In Japanese cuisine, the cooking technique called Yakitori, is most commonly used with chicken. The process of marinating, skewering and grilling can easily be adapted to vegetables as well. Indeed, grilling the marinated vegetables, really brings out their flavours. Finally, basting with the remaining marinade really makes this side dish supurb.

Yakitori grilled vegetables compliment many Asian dishes such as:
teriyaki beef
Yakitori – Grilled Vegetables with Teriyaki Beef Skewers

Yakitori vs Kushiyaki grilling

In Japanese cuisine, yakitori (焼き鳥) actually means grilled (yaki) chicken (tori). The more general term used for foods grilled on skewers, called kushi, is kushiyaki (串焼き). However, the Japanese tend to use the two terms interchangeably. Outside of Japan, the more familiar yakitori style of cooking is commonly used for any grilled meats or vegetables.

Of course, certain vegetables work better than others. Generally, softer, fleshier ones are the better choice. These include: eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes. The larger vegetables should be cut into roughly 1 ½ to two-inch cubes. As for tomatoes and other smaller items, just leave them whole.

Variations of grilled vegetables are also popular in other world cuisines. While the ingredients and seasonings are slightly different, the cooking method is fairly similar. So, go ahead and borrow from the Thai, Greek, Brazillian, South African or American barbecue cuisines. You’ll find the yakitori technique adapts beautifully to a number of vegetable combinations.

Japanese vegetable medley
  • Oyster mushrooms
  • Red onions
  • Shishito peppers
Western vegetable medley
  • Red and green bell peppers
  • Spanish onions
  • Common white or brown mushrooms
  • Cherry tomatoes
Mediterranian Vegetable Medley
  • Eggplant
  • Zucchini
  • Red, yellow or orange bell peppers
  • Spanish onions
Grilled vegies and beef

Yakitori – Grilled Vegetables

Kevin Lamoureux
Grilled vegetables make perfect sides for teriyaki beef skewers and other grilled meats. Bell peppers, mushrooms and onions will do the trick. Or try your own vegetable combination.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 4
Calories 94 kcal

Equipment

  • 4 bamboo skewers (12-inch)

Ingredients
  

Marinade

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp mirin (Japanese rice wine)
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp black pepper fresh ground

Vegetables

  • 2 green bell peppers seeded
  • 1 spanish onion
  • 8 mushrooms medium size

Instructions
 

  • Soak the bamboo skewers in water for about 30 minutes.
  • Blend the marinade ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  • Cut up the peppers into roughly ½-inch pieces.
  • Use medium-sized mushrooms and just keep them whole.
  • For the onions, after peeling, separate the layers then cut them about the same size as the peppers.
  • Toss the vegie medley into the mixing bowl with the marinade blend. Allow to marinate at least 10 minutes.
  • Thread the vegies onto pre-soaked bamboo skewers.
  • Heat the grill to medium (about 350℉). Oil or apply cooking spray to the grill cooking surface.
  • Grill for about 8-12 minutes, turning to lightly sear each side. Baste during cooking with the reserved marinade. Remove from the grill when the vegatables are tender and sllightly singed.

Notes

Grilling times should be similar to cooking a ¾-inch thick steak.
Serve with rice and grilled vegetables. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Nutrition
Per serving
Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Iron:0.5mg
Keyword grilled, vegetables

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Grilled Teriyaki Beef Skewers
Tender beef in a Teriyaki marinade of soy, sugar, mirin, ginger, garlic and vinegar is grilled to perfection.
Check out this recipe
teriyaki beef

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