Ingredients:

Yield: 4 servings

1 Tbs. canola oil, plus additional for deep-frying
3 cups sliced onions
1/2-Tbs. chopped fresh thyme
1/2-Tbs. chopped fresh sage
1/2-Tbs. chopped fresh rosemary
1 cup mirin (Japanese sweet sake)
4 toasted nori sheets
4 salmon fillets, about 4 ounces each, lightly pounded to 1/2-inch thick
2 cups rice flour
4 cups club soda
Wasabi Soy-Honey Dipping sauce, recipe follows

Directions:

1. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
   
2. Add the 1-tablespoon of oil and swirl to coat the pan.
   
3. When the oil shimmers, add the onions and sauté, stirring occasionally, until soft and browned, 6 to 8 minutes.
   
4. Mix in the thyme, sage, and rosemary and season with salt and pepper to taste.
   
5. Add the mirin and cook to evaporate the liquid about 6 minutes.
   
6. Let cool.
   
7. Arrange a sheet of the nori, shiny side down, on a rolling mat.
   
8. Have a small bowl of water handy.
   
9. Place a salmon fillet on the bottom half of the nori sheet and season with salt and pepper.
   
10. Arrange 1/4 of the onions on the upper 1/3 of the salmon.
    
11. Roll, wet the edge, and press the mat to seal.
    
12. Repeat with the remaining nori, salmon, and onions.
    
13. Allow the maki to rest, seam side down, for 2 minutes.

Tempura Directions

1. Fill a fryer or heavy medium pot 1/3 full with the oil and heat over high heat to 425 degrees F.
   
2. Place the flour in a medium bowl and slowly whisk in the club soda until the mixture resembles a light pancake batter.
   
3. Dip the rolls in the batter and fry all at once, turning as necessary, until golden, 4 to 6 minutes.
   
4. Remove the rolls with a mesh spoon and drain on paper towels.
   
5. Season to taste with the salt and pepper.
   
6. With a sharp knife, slice each maki in half.
   
7. Cut one piece straight across into 3 pieces and cut the other piece diagonally into 2 pieces.
   
8. Serve with dipping sauce.

Wasabi Soy-Honey Dipping Sauce

Ingredients:

1/2-cup soy sauce
1/3-cup rice wine vinegar
1 Tbs. wasabi powder
1/3-cup honey
1 Tbs. toasted sesame oil

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl combine the soy sauce, vinegar, wasabi, honey, and sesame oil.
   
2. Stir to blend.

Copyright 2000, Ming Tsai, All Rights Reserved