Salmon Teriyaki Bowl

Whenever I go out for Japanese food I always see the teriyaki and think yum, but end up ordering sashimi and sushi instead because I love the fresh fish. So when do I get to eat my teriyaki chicken or salmon? At home. The problem is that the teriyaki sauce they sell in the store are always too sweet or too salty and taste very artificial. So I started making the sauce at home instead. I find that you can whip up a batch and store it for weeks in the refrigerator. Having the sauce at home makes it easy to put together a healthy, yet quick meal. Just grab a bowl, paste some steam veggies and fresh meat and drizzle the sauce on top to make a delicious teriyaki bowl.

Also on a side note. Chuc Mung Nam Moi. Happy New Years to all my friends. To the year of the Dragon 2012.

Health Keynotes:
Salmon
- A rich source of omega-3 fatty acid that helps in brain function and improvement of cardiovascular function. Omega-3 has also been linked to fighting cancer, depression, and asthma.
- Full of protein. Protein is the building block needed for muscle maintenance.
- Salmon contains many important mineral such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, magnesium, selenium, and zinc. 

Ginger
- Full of antioxidant including ginerols, shogaols, and zingerones. Antioxidant gingerol has been linked to decreased tumor formation and protect against cancer formation.
- Been linked to research study to prevent morning sickness, motion sickness, and osteoarthritis.

Garlic
- Rich with phytochemicals such as allicin, saponin, and coumaric acid. Allicin functions as an antibacterial against harmful pathogens such as Enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus. Saponin functions to decrease LDL cholesterol as well as triglyceride. Coumaric acid functions in prevention of cancer formation especially for prostate and stomach cancer.

Sesame seeds
- Rich source of lignans that function to prevent cancer, especially breast and prostate, by inducing cancer cell death, aka apoptosis.
- Good source of phytosterols which functions to prevent heart disease and reduce benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Ingredients

Steamed rice

Salmon

Salt and pepper to taste

Rice

Steamed veggies

Teriyaki Sauce

1 cup water

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbs fresh ginger minced or grated

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup mirin

3 Tbs brown sugar

2 Tbs cornstarch

1/4 cup sesame seeds

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 375F. 

2. On a cookie sheet, place salmon on sheet and season with salt and pepper on both side. Bake for 10-15 minutes until fish flakes easily.

3. In a steamer, place your favorite vegetables in and steam for 10 minutes. I like broccoli, cauliflower, onion, snow peas, mushrooms, carrots, and cabbage. However, pick your favorites or what you have on hand.

4. In a sauce pan over medium heat, heat up 3/4 cup water with garlic and ginger. Let favors infuse.

5. Add soy sauce, mirin, and brown sugar to water.

6. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup water and cornstarch. 

7. Stir in the cornstarch mixture slowly into the saucepan.

8. On a cookie sheet, toast the sesame seeds until lightly brown. About 3-5 minutes.

9. Add the sesame seeds to the sauce.

10. Prepare to eat. Place in a bowl steamed rice, veggies, salmon, and teriyaki sauce.