Hi Seppo! !! :-) (more...)

I'm glad you like them. I would imagine that you'll use shiitake or konbu stock for dashi, but that should work out just fine!! In fact, the origins of Japanese cuisine go back to the food the monks prepared in Buddhist temples ("shojin ryori") so the Japanese have historically followed a modified vegetarian diet. I recently read a medical study performed by Japanese researchers that showed that the stomach of the Japanese expands vertically when digesting food, while Caucasians' stomachs expanded horizontally -- the point being that it's more difficult for the Japanese to break down and digest animal protein because they've been following a diet concentrated on vegetable nutrients. It makes sense to me because I develop digestive problems when I eat a lot of animal protein, including dairy foods -- so I should probably follow your cooking techniques! :-)

BTW, I made your miso peanut butter sauce for my asparagus the other day, and it was just absolutely delish!! This one is a keeper -- thanks for posting YOUR recipes!!

Take care!