Spice up your summer recipes with Japanese Shichi-mi tōgarashi

Add Japanese spice to your recipe repertoire this summer – your tastebuds will thank you! Shichi-mi tōgarashi (“Japanese 7 spice blend”) is a spice you might not know how to spell or pronounce, but once you’ve added it to your favorite savory dishes, you will love it. Schichi means “seven” in Japanese and togarashi means “peppers”.

Shichi-mi tōgarashi, also known as shichimi is usually made with 7 spices: ground red chili pepper, ground sanshō (Japanese pepper), roasted orange peel, black and white sesame seeds, hemp seed, ground ginger, nori (seaweed). You’ll find it in a very small jar because you won’t need much of this spice to give your food a wallop of flavor.

It’s easy to find in most Asian grocery stores.  You can also make your own Shichi-mi tōgarashi. Find an easy to follow recipe on thishealthytable.com.

Even for those (including me) that rarely prepare Japanese food, Shichi-mi tōgarashi will become a staple in your kitchen. One of my favorite ways to use this spice is to rim cocktail glasses for Bloody Mary’s and Tomato Water Martinis. If you are a martini lover and you haven’t tasted a Tomato Water Martini – now is the time! I love to sprinkle it on grilled beef – hamburgers or beef tenderloin. Sprinkle on buttered popcorn for a snappy snack.

It only makes sense that this Japanese spice blend is perfectly delicious on Japanese foods including soup and ramen and soba noodle dishes. It is commonly sprinkled on top of foods. I like to keep a jar on my dining table with salt and pepper to sprinkle on rice and potatoes.

This Healthy Table website has lots of fun spicy recipes that are perfect for summer meals. How about Togarashi Fries – crispy spicy fries served with Basil Aioli and Creamy Avocado Sauce for dipping. There’s also a recipe for Glazed Pork Ribs which would be perfectly yummy served with Japanese Smashed Cucumber Salad.

Are you ready to put some extra special spice in your summer dishes by adding Shichi-mi tōgarashi?