Watercress growing in the spring water of Azumino
Azumino is abundant in spring water, which is used to cultivate Wasabi fields. As a result, you can find Wasabi fields everywhere.
The watercress that grows in these springs also tastes excellent.
Nourished by the cold waters of the Northern Alps, watercress thrives by the springs.
Although it’s still snowy in Azumino in early spring, this is the perfect time to enjoy watercress, which has a bright, peppery flavor.
The leaves are thick and tender, while the stems are crisp yet soft. This watercress is fresh and has a bright, peppery taste.
This delightful watercress is perfect for salads. So, let me introduce you to an Azumino watercress salad that pairs wonderfully with Shinshu, the new sake of the year.
For a fruity twist, add “100% fermented pomegranate vinegar [9]“
I wanted to create a special dressing for the unique watercress and i encountered This Turkish organic, naturally fermented pomegranate vinegar, “100% fermented pomegranate vinegar [9]”. I found that it is highly recommended for this salad.
Because it is naturally fermented, it is bursting with flavor, allowing you to enjoy the astringency, sweetness, and acidity of pomegranate in its purest form.
Combined with creamy burrata, this dish becomes a main course to enjoy with sake.
Shikomi No.1 Shiboritate Muroka Namagenshu (freshly squeezed unfiltered raw sake) (Hakuba Nishiki)
Pair the watercress salad with a new-year released Sake, “Shikomi No.1 Shiboritate Muroka Namagenshu” from the local Hakuba Nishiki brewery.
As an unfiltered raw Sake, its initial impact is unexpectedly smooth. Upon sipping, you can immediately taste the sweetness of rice combined with a fruity note. This sake pairs wonderfully not only with Japanese dishes but with various types of cuisine.
The fruitiness of this sake harmonizes beautifully with the organic pomegranate vinegar and the peppery flavor of the watercress.
For more information, visit the Hakuba Nishiki website (online shop, Japanese only).
Azumino Watercress and Burrata Salad, Organic Pomegranate Vinegar Dressing
Description
Easy and simple recipe with full of flavor!
If you never imagined the matching Sake with fresh salad, this is the one to try!
Ingredients
Instructions
Prepare ingredients
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My favorite Pomegranate vinegar
I use Pomegranate vinegar, but you can replace with Balsamic vinegar, but choose creamy one.
Wine vinegar can be too sour to goes well with the Burrata cheese so not recommended.
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Preparation for the salad
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Prepare the watercress
Rinse the watercress with cold water, tear off the leaves by hand, and cut the stems with a kitchen knife to a length that is easy to eat.
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Tossing the salad
Mix the olive oil and the pomegranate vinegar in a bowl and mix well.
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Serving
Place the watercress on a plate and tear off the burrata by hand. Add the pomegranate fruits on top.
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