gluten-free

In many East Asian countries, black sesame plays an important part in their food cultures. These days, black sesame has become a more popular ingredient in the west as the world gets smaller and people try other cultural foods. One way people use black sesame is to make a nutty milk substitute. People drink black sesame milk because it is packed full of nutrients and gives a new and unique flavor to boring coffee drinks.

Two years ago, I wrote about our family’s classic sausage balls recipe based on the original Bisquick recipe created in the 1970s. Every year, we make sausage balls to enjoy as finger food as we open presents and enjoy family time on Christmas morning. Nowadays, my husband and I are choosing to consume less meat than in the past for our health and to reduce our carbon footprint. As a result, I began testing sausage balls using vegan sausages and cheeses. While I’m not yet ready to publish a vegan variation, this vegetarian sausage balls recipe is perfect for those eliminating meat but not dairy! 

In Japan, people often eat salad as a side with soup, rice, and a cooked protein for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I actually experienced eating salad every morning during my travels in Japan. When eating salad, people in Japan often use a common type of dressing known as ‘wafu dressing.’

Are you gluten-free? If so, check out our list of gluten-free soy sauce brands! We also listed a soy-free option for those who have a soy allergy!

As someone with celiac disease, I am acutely aware of people’s dietary needs and restrictions. Whether it’s for religious, health, or ethical reasons, vegetarianism continues to rise in popularity as an alternative to the meat-eating lifestyle. As such, we decided to make a meatless version of one of our favorite Japanese foods, katsu, for our vegetarian friends! So, let’s learn how to make tofu katsu, otherwise known as a vegetarian version of the Japanese steak cutlet!