Hibachi dinner is a delightful culinary experience that originated in Japan. The word 'hibachi' actually refers to the traditional Japanese heating device used to cook food, which usually involves a round, bowl-shaped container designed to hold burning charcoal. However, in the context of popular Westernized Japanese cuisine, 'hibachi' often refers to a style of cooking where the chef prepares the meal on a large, flat-top grill in front of guests, creating an interactive and entertaining dining experience. Hibachi meals typically include impeccably seasoned meats, seafood, vegetables, and rice. Each ingredient is cooked to perfection with a combination of butter, soy sauce, and other flavorful elements.
When serving a hibachi dinner at home, presentation and accompaniment are key. The sizzle and spectacle are, of course, more subdued without the theatrics of tossing shrimp tails or flicking caught egg bits, but the flavors will be no less spectacular. Traditional sides for a hibachi dinner include miso soup and a crunchy, tangy ginger salad to start the meal off. These offer a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory flavors from the hibachi grill. Pickled vegetables or a vinegar-dressed cucumber salad also complement the meal nicely, providing a clean, acidic note to balance the palate. For beverages, consider green tea for a traditional pairing, or a light beer to cut through the richness of the hibachi flavors.
Advertisement
Recipe Name: Hibachi Dinner Extravaganza
Ingredients:
For Hibachi Shrimp and Steak:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 lb ribeye or sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 lb ribeye or sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For Hibachi Veggies:
- 1 large zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 8 oz button mushrooms, sliced
- 1 large carrot, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 8 oz button mushrooms, sliced
- 1 large carrot, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
For Hibachi Rice:
- 4 cups cooked jasmine or sushi rice, chilled
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Sesame seeds and sliced green onions, for garnish
- 4 cups cooked jasmine or sushi rice, chilled
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Sesame seeds and sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Begin by preheating your griddle or large flat pan over medium-high heat. Season your shrimp and steak pieces with salt and pepper.
2. Once the griddle is hot, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Carefully place steak pieces on one side of the griddle, and the shrimp on the other side. Cook steak to desired doneness, turning occasionally, and the shrimp until they turn pink, which should take about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
3. On the same griddle, add another tablespoon of oil and throw in all your veggies—zucchini, onion, mushrooms, and carrot. Stir-fry these until they are tender-crisp, about 5 minutes, then pour in the soy sauce and add the butter. Continue to cook while stirring until the butter is melted and the vegetables are well coated with the sauce. Transfer to a serving dish.
4. For the hibachi rice, clean the griddle then heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the onions and cook until they're translucent. Push onions to the side, add the beaten eggs to the cleared space, and scramble them. Mix the onions and eggs together.
5. Add the chilled rice to the griddle, breaking it apart. Drizzle soy sauce over the rice and season with salt and pepper. Stir everything to combine well. Let it sit without stirring for a minute to create a little bit of a crisp texture on the rice. Add the butter and stir again until the rice is evenly buttered and heated through. If desired, sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the rice for garnish.
6. To assemble the hibachi dinner, plate generous servings of the steak, shrimp, vegetables, and rice side by side, ensuring a variety of colors and textures on each plate.
Advertisement
7. Serve your hibachi dinner hot, with the aforementioned sides, for a familial but refined Japanese-style feast. Enjoy your homemade hibachi extravaganza with friends and family!