Add a Splash of Flavor to Your Summer

Asian-inspired small plates for the entire family


MISSION, Kan., July 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (Family Features) The season of warm summer nights and bright sunny days calls for equally vibrant meals. As the season of entertaining continues, many at-home chefs are searching for exciting and flavorful meals to feed their family and friends.

According to Mintel’s 2018 US Flavor Trends Report, consumers continually seek to be more adventurous with their palates by trying ethnic flavors, such as those found in Asian cooking. When the hotter summer weather calls for light, fresh snackable fare, give Asian small plates a try.

Have a go at a variety of flavorful appetizers like dippable Chinese Shrimp Potstickers, which pair perfectly with a savory Thai Chicken Satay and Light Cucumber Salad. Round out your meal with a satisfying Korean Beef Bulgogi and Kimchi over Sticky Rice, featuring irresistible and exotic flavors that can have your guests coming back for more.

To create impressive meals with a variety of ingredients, incorporate an option such as Nakano clean-labeled rice vinegars, which are available in seven varieties and feature easy-to-read labels showing no more than six real, recognizable ingredients to help enhance the flavors of summertime dishes.

For more fresh and flavorful summer dishes, visit NakanoOrganic.com.

Thai Chicken Satay with Light Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 25 minutes, plus marinating
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4 (about 4 skewers per serving)

Cucumber Salad:
1/3cup Nakano Roasted Garlic Rice Vinegar
2tablespoons sugar
1/2teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1/4teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2teaspoon salt
1/2thinly sliced English cucumber
1thinly sliced carrot
1thinly sliced scallion
1/4cup chopped peanuts, for garnish


Chicken Satay:
15bamboo skewers
2tablespoons soy sauce
1tablespoon peanut oil
1teaspoon toasted sesame oil
2tablespoons Nakano Organic Original Seasoned Rice Vinegar
1teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1/2teaspoon ground coriander
2teaspoons ground turmeric
1pound thinly sliced chicken breast
 fresh cilantro, for garnish


Peanut Sauce:

1/4cup scallions, chopped
2tablespoons chopped cilantro
1teaspoon minced jalapeno
1teaspoon minced garlic
1/2teaspoon minced ginger
3/4cup smooth peanut butter
1tablespoon toasted sesame oil
3tablespoons Nakano Roasted Garlic Rice Vinegar
2teaspoons lime juice
3/4cup coconut milk
2tablespoons hoisin sauce
2tablespoons honey
 chopped peanuts, for garnish

To make Cucumber Salad: In large bowl, combine roasted garlic rice vinegar, sugar, toasted sesame oil, red pepper flakes and salt. Add cucumbers, carrots and scallions. Cover bowl and marinate 15 minutes. Garnish with chopped peanuts.

To make Chicken Satay: In dish, soak bamboo skewers. In large bowl, combine soy sauce, peanut oil, toasted sesame oil, seasoned rice vinegar, ginger, coriander, turmeric and thinly sliced chicken breast. Cover bowl and marinate 2 hours.

To make Peanut Sauce: In food processor, process scallions, cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, ginger, peanut butter, toasted sesame oil, roasted garlic rice vinegar, lime juice, coconut milk, hoisin sauce and honey until smooth. Garnish with chopped peanuts.

After 2 hours of marinating, skewer chicken. Heat grill or grill pan to medium heat and cook 2 minutes on each side. Garnish with cilantro and serve with Peanut Sauce and Cucumber Salad.

Korean Beef Bulgogi and Kimchi over Sticky Rice
Prep time: 15 minutes, plus marinating
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 (about 1 cup per serving)

3tablespoons light soy sauce
2tablespoons dark brown sugar
2tablespoons Nakano Natural Rice Vinegar
1tablespoon toasted sesame oil
2minced cloves garlic
1/4cup grated red apple
1teaspoon minced fresh ginger
 black pepper
16ounces thinly sliced rib-eye steak
1tablespoon canola oil
3cups sticky rice
3tablespoons Nakano Original Seasoned Rice Vinegar
1/2cup kimchi, prepared
1tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
1scallion, sliced
1red jalapeno, sliced
1/4cup carrots, julienned

In large bowl, combine light soy sauce, dark brown sugar, natural rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, garlic, apple, ginger and black pepper. Add in steak slices and cover bowl. Marinate 1 hour.

After marinating, in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat canola oil. Add steak slices and sear, reserving marinade. Once browned, add marinade and cook 1 minute, or until slightly thickened.

Cook sticky rice according to package instructions and sprinkle on seasoned rice vinegar. Serve beef bulgogi over sticky rice and garnish with kimchi, sesame seeds, scallions, red jalapeno and carrots.

Chinese Shrimp Potstickers
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6 (4 potstickers per serving)

24wonton wrappers
8ounces large raw shrimp, peeled, deveined and chopped
3tablespoons minced scallions
4canned water chestnuts, minced (approximately 1/8 cup)
1tablespoon oyster sauce
3tablespoons Nakano Original Seasoned Rice Vinegar, divided
2tablespoons peanut oil
2tablespoons water, plus additional for wonton wrappers
 pinch of salt
 pinch of pepper
2tablespoons soy sauce
2teaspoons toasted sesame oil

To make potstickers: Set aside wonton wrappers. In large bowl, combine shrimp, scallions, water chestnuts, oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar, peanut oil, water, salt and pepper. Fill one wonton wrapper with 1 teaspoon filling.

Lightly wet edges of wonton wrapper with water, fold into triangle and pinch edges closed. Repeat with remaining wonton wrappers and filling.

In large skillet over medium-high heat, heat peanut oil. Place potstickers in skillet and cook until golden on bottoms. Once browned, add 2 tablespoons water to skillet, cover and cook 4 minutes until steamed. Remove lid and cook until water has evaporated.

To make dipping sauce: In medium bowl, combine soy sauce, remaining seasoned rice vinegar and sesame oil.

Michael French
mfrench@familyfeatures.com 
1-888-824-3337
editors.familyfeatures.com

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