Tobiko: what is this caviar and how is it eaten

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Today our citizens can safely be called sophisticated in the matter of cooking. What have we not been able to try in the last decades! And one of the largest and most successful discoveries is Japanese cuisine. Probably, there is no such person who has not tried one of these "exotic" dishes at least once. Sushi and rolls are especially loved and popular today. Mandatory additional components to them are soy sauce, pickled ginger and spicy wasabi mustard. But there is another ingredient that is often used to make rolls - tobiko. What it is? Read about it in the article.

Where do tobiko caviar come from

In Russia, the most popular types of caviar are black and red (salmon). And, of course, zucchini. But among the Japanese, such a common product is tobiko caviar. It is extracted from a strange flying fish, which, due to its structure, is capable of making small flights over the waves. She lives in the watersIndian Ocean, as well as in the western Pacific. The meat of this fish is very tender and tasty, and therefore it is of commercial importance, and 50% of the total catch falls on the Japanese. They appreciate this product, they often use it in cooking, and not only for making sushi, but also for various salads, and they eat it just like that. Moreover, both fish meat and its caviar - tobiko are used.

What is caviar and how is it eaten

Tobiko looks very similar to our usual salmon caviar, but it is smaller and lighter, namely orange. Before being consumed, it is soaked in a special brine, which gives it a special smoked-s alty flavor. However, it still remains drier and grainier than red. It is interesting that in the rolls that we are served in restaurants, there can be black and even green tobiko caviar. What is this, some kind of scam? Not at all. And it gets its color thanks to natural dyes. So, cuttlefish ink makes it black, and wasabi makes it green. Well, to enhance the natural brightness of caviar, use ginger.

What is the use of flying fish caviar

Like all seafood, this caviar contains many useful substances. So, it contains valuable fats, easily digestible protein (up to 30%), mineral s alts (in particular, potassium and phosphorus). We can say about tobiko that it is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals. It is rich in iodine, iron, zinc, calcium, contains vitamins A, groups B, C, D. Caviar is useful for those who play sports and subject their body to heavy physical exertion every day. She is recommendedand with anemia, and during pregnancy.

What can be cooked with tobiko

If you are a fan of Japanese cuisine, then use caviar in almost any dish: from rolls to rice and salads. It is also good as a food decoration. Here is an interesting combination: crab meat, eel, tobiko, egg whites and vegetables. It will turn out a wonderful salad, to which caviar will give a special "zest". You can also make the popular spicy sauce. Tobiko is an essential ingredient in it. What it is and how it is prepared, we will now tell. This sauce has a characteristic orange color and is widely used in the preparation of Japanese dishes, which gives spiciness and piquancy. It is added to salads, baked rolls are decorated with it. Homemade sauce is easy to make. You just need to mix the following ingredients:

• tablespoon of mayonnaise;
• a spoonful of soy sauce;
• chili pepper to taste;
• a tablespoon of tobiko;
• garlic clove.

100 percent delicious

You'll see, any rice or seafood dish will taste better if you add this sauce to it. A special role - a s alty taste and a pleasant orange color - is played by tobiko caviar. Its price is not much different from salmon (about 200-250 rubles per 100 grams), and therefore everyone can afford it at least occasionally.