No-Frills Miso Dressing Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What is miso dressing made of? ›

Similarly, this homemade miso dressing is made of simple Asian pantry items such as miso, rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and fresh ginger. A little bit of grated ginger lends a refreshing zing and a kick to this savory dressing. Miso (味噌), a salty-savory Japanese condiment, is fermented soybean paste.

Note: You are supposed to refrigerate from the time they are received, even when not opened, so keep them in the fridge. Everyone I know has really liked this Miso dressing!

Miso paste is a fermented soy bean paste that's used a lot in Japanese cooking. It's made by fermenting steamed soy beans with salt, grains (usually rice or barley) and koji, a type of fungus. But don't let that put you off – it's a phenomenal way to add flavour to meat, fish and more.

You can buy miso at most supermarkets, though Asian or Japanese specialty stores (or online Asian grocery purveyors) will likely have a wider selection.

Soy Sauce/ Aminos

Soy sauce is the most common substitute for miso paste. Miso is thick and creamy, whereas soy sauce is thin like water, but if texture isn't a factor, they are both made of soy and chock full of salty and savory notes.

Miso is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, as well as probiotics, known as the gut's "good bacteria." Much of the potential health benefits of miso paste are because of the fermentation process used to make it.

Miso is a “preservative food,” that can be kept for a long period of time due to its salt content. If kept in your refrigerator, miso itself does not go bad. In terms of the quality of the taste, miso should remain relatively consistent for up to one year.

The general rule is that opened miso paste can last for about six months in the refrigerator. It's important to keep it tightly sealed and away from moisture to maintain its quality. So, make sure to check the expiration date and store your miso paste properly to enjoy its deliciousness for as long as possible.

Once you've whisked the orange miso vinaigrette together, you can store it or use it right away. The dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

Wealthy landowners, royalty or samurai would only eat rice miso that had been made using expensive polished white rice. It was often so expensive that it was used as gifts, or even as currency.

What does miso do to your body? ›

Being made from soya beans, miso offers an array of vitamins, minerals and plant compounds, including isoflavones. The fermentation process used to produce miso may be especially helpful as it helps support digestion and may enhance immunity.

You can find miso paste in the grocery store in the Asian cuisine aisle. This aisle is typically located towards the back of the store, near the international foods section. As you make your way down the aisle, you'll see a wide variety of Asian ingredients and products, including soy sauce, rice vinegar, and noodles.

The three basic types of miso include white, yellow, and red; as a general rule of thumb, “white miso is the mildest, yellow miso is more fermented, and red miso is the most assertive fermented flavor,” explains Masayoshi Takayama, the chef and owner of New York City's Japanese and sushi restaurant Masa.

Miso is most often sold in natural foods stores and in Asian markets, but it is increasingly available in large supermarkets. Although food co-ops often sell miso in bulk, it is usually available in plastic tubs in the refrigerated section of stores.

Miso is the ultimate reference point for the flavor sensation known as umami. The paste and the soup have a deep savory flavor, with toasty, funky, salty-sweet richness. This umami flavor forms the base of a lot of everyday Japanese cooking.

Miso, a fermented soybean paste, is a culinary staple in Japan, says Sonoko Sakai, chef, cooking teacher, and author of Japanese Home Cooking. It's made using just four ingredients: cooked soybeans, grains (typically rice), salt, and koji mold, a type of fungus scientifically known as Aspergillus oryzae.

Improves digestion: Because miso is high in probiotics, it helps the body maintain healthy bacteria levels. This bacteria contributes to digestive health, reducing gas, diarrhea, bloating and constipation.