Foodie Blogroll

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Fried Rice with Japanese Seven Spice

If you have been reading my blog for any amount of time...then you know how I like to try different spices. The last time I was visiting my parents I picked up some Sansho Seven Spice Blend. To find out it is known as Japanese Seven Spice, Shichimi togarashi, and it apparently has been around for a long time. There are a a few different versions as do many spice blends, but this one has sansho pepper and poppy seeds in it, along with red chili, seaweed,orange peel, white and black sesame seeds. It is used as a table seasoning to enhance Japanese noodle dishes and grilled fish.


Of course it would be good on rice, and I have used it on chicken. Then I noticed a simple fried rice with Japanese seven spice on Vegan Yum Yum .... you also know how much I love fried rice, and how perfect to try out this spice blend. Now fried rice you don't really need a recipe for, and it is a good way to use up what you have on hand and throw together a great tasting quick meal. I find it's best to use day old or cold cooked rice, so the next time you make rice just throw a little extra in and save the rest for your next meal of fried rice! :D



I love this spice, it has just a nice amount of heat and the orange peel gives it a nice citrus flavor without being too much. I know my daughter loves it because of the seaweed in it...reminds her of furikake on rice.

For this fried rice: adapted from Vegan Yum Yum



  • 2 cups cold cooked rice

  • 1 tablespoon oil

  • 1 shallot chopped

  • 1 teaspoon ginger paste

  • 1 teaspoon garlic paste or clove of garlic chopped

  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce

  • 2 teaspoons Japanese seven spice

  • shiitake mushrooms

  • shrimp (I used frozen little ones)

  • 1-2 carrots chopped

  • 1 egg


    • I have made a few fried rice here on my blog but I will do a quick run down on how to ...In a large pan or wok heat the oil and cook the shallots and carrots until soft, then add the mushrooms and cook around 3 minutes, add ginger, garlic, and shrimp and cook a few more minutes until shrimp are pink. Add the rice, you can hear it sizzle when the cold rice hits the hot pan, cook a bit to warm it through. Separate all the ingredients to add the egg in the middle and scramble it until cooked, add the soy sauce and mix everything up good. Sprinkle it with the Japanese seven spice.

      You can vary the ingredients to what you have or what you like...that's the nice thing about fried rice. I will make this again with the Japanese seven spice for sure!! When I run out I might have to figure out how to get the ingredients to make my own!



      Edited to add the spice photos...the ingredients listed on the back of the package - red chili, seaweed, sansho pepper, orange peel, poppy seeds, white & black sesame seeds.




      Hope this helps!



      33 comments:

      1. This sounds and looks like a great vegetarian fried rice! I love Japanese seven-spice, it gives such a nice flavour!

        ReplyDelete
      2. I love fried rice and wish that I can try your Japanese seven spice fried rice, sounds so delicious :)
        Have a nice weekend :)

        ReplyDelete
      3. i love shichimi~ especially on udon~

        ReplyDelete
      4. This sounds delicious Lyndsey!! gloria

        ReplyDelete
      5. add spices to fried rice, must be full of good aroma!

        ReplyDelete
      6. I love the look of this Japanese fried rice...you have added so many types of spices to it, sounds delicious! I always cook fried rice when I have too much leftover rice! :D

        ReplyDelete
      7. I have never heard of Japanese seven spice only Chinese five spice!! Diane

        ReplyDelete
      8. Love this combination; my husband loves fried rice; must give this one a try; thanks.
        Rita

        ReplyDelete
      9. This looks so incredibly yummy. Can't even believe it's fried rice...too healthy and totally delicious. Will have to google for the Japanese 7 spice!
        Thanks for sharing:D

        ReplyDelete
      10. I've never try the Japanese 7 spices. Sounds really interesting. Do you mind posting a pix of the spices as you know, most of the Japanese food packaging comes only in Japanese. Sometimes it is difficult to figure them out :)

        ReplyDelete
      11. This one is absolutely wonderful! Love this rice....

        ReplyDelete
      12. Hi Lyndsey, was your husband able to handle the spice? If he is then I definitely would want Nami to try this recipe as well

        ReplyDelete
      13. This sounds and looks really good Lyndsey. You are so adventurous with all the spices!

        Happy 4th July to you and your family.
        xx

        ReplyDelete
      14. It's looking delish! Since I have a bottle of 7 spices in my cupboard I'll need to try this (in the vegan version) soon! I love fried rice and *always* cook some extra rice for just this purpose ;P

        ReplyDelete
      15. What are the spices in that Japanese 7 spices? Sounds interesting though. I bet the rice is flavourful & yummy.
        Kristy

        ReplyDelete
      16. It sounds like the miracle spice combo, so delicious. The rice looks awesome.

        ReplyDelete
      17. Ohhh you made fried rice with Shichimi! As you know Japanese food are not very spicy at all, and this is probably the only "spice" we use. But we just sprinkle a little bit and that's it, most of the time. =D My husband uses Shichimi to spice up my Japanese food too. Looks delicious!

        ReplyDelete
      18. I really need to pick up some of this spice blend! The fried rice looks so good!

        ReplyDelete
      19. ICook4Fun - I put the photo of the spice blend that I have up, I hope that helped.

        Shen @ Justonecookbook.com - I used just a little so my husband could handle it...then sprinkled more on my bowl that you see posted because it was so good! :D

        Gnoe (@Graasland) - you can make a good vegan version with this!

        My Little Space - I added the ingredient as it was listed under the spice pics just for you Kristy! ;-)

        Nami @ Just One Cookbook - Ha...yes just a little sprinkle for my husband and then more for me! :-D

        ReplyDelete
      20. Dear Lyndsey, I love to try new spices. This sounds very delicious. Blessings, Catherine

        ReplyDelete
      21. Looks & sounds great and I am sure tastes as good.

        ReplyDelete
      22. Just dropping in to say we had this for dinner tonight and it was good! :) So thanks for sharing!

        ReplyDelete
      23. I am going to hunt down some shichimi togarashi - very, very soon. It sounds intriguiing...and delicious. This looks like a delicious fried rice.

        ReplyDelete
      24. So I actually went out and picked up some Shichimi Togarashi during my lunch - thank you for the 'suggestion'. :D

        ReplyDelete
      25. Catherine - isn't it fun to figure out how to use the new spices?!

        kothiyavunu.com - thanks, it was yummy, I have to make it again soon.

        Gnoe (@Graasland) - I'm so glad you liked it, thanks for letting me know!!

        Indie.Tea - I know you'll like it as much as I do!

        ReplyDelete
      26. Indie - Haha! That is so funny...so happy to enable you :D Enjoy, can't wait to see what you do with it, I love new ideas!

        ReplyDelete
      27. I love the sound of the seven spice! I need to get my hands on some. The rice sounds excellent!

        ReplyDelete
      28. Japanese Seven spice is new to me but I think the recipe is very delicious!!

        ReplyDelete
      29. Love fried rice! I never make it at home though. Not sure why....I need too!

        ReplyDelete
      30. I am eager to locate this seven spice and try it! The combo sounds magnificent; your fried rice flavored this way sounds also bursting with flavors, excellent dish!

        ReplyDelete
      31. Reeni - Hope you can find it, I just used it tonight on some mashed potatoes!

        Sutapa - It was new to me too...so I had to try it!

        Nutmeg N - I don't know why you don't make it at home either :D it's a good way to use up leftovers!

        Taste of Beirut - Thanks, I probably put too much seasoning on mine! ;)

        ReplyDelete
      32. Your fried rice looks delicious! I love both the sansho and shichimi togarashi and practically shake it into most things :)

        ReplyDelete

      I would love to hear from you, please share your ideas, tips, stories or any questions or comments. Thanks for stopping by...