Brill Cured in Seaweed

The fish for this Sashimi is cut very fine by a technique called sogi giri, then flavored with kombu. Begin a day  in advance as the fish is cured overnight for this dish known as brill Kobujime. A small snapper, filleted, can be used instead of brill.

Ingredients

  • brill fillets - 200g/7 oz, skinned
  • kombu seaweed - 4 sheets (18 x 15cm/7 x 6in each)
  • salt 

For the vinegar dressing

  • rice vinegar - 100ml/4fl oz
  • bonito stock and kombu - 120ml/4fl oz/½ cup
  • sugar - 7.5ml/1½ tsp
  • soy sauce - 30ml/2 tbsp

Method

  • Remove all stray bones from the brill and lay it skinned side up. Slice the fish into very thin pieces and sprinkle with salt.
  • Clean the kombu seaweed (wiping with damp towel).
  • Lay the brill on a sheet of kombu in a single layer (do no pile up the slices.) then put another sheet of kombu on top. Repeat it with the remaining brill and kombu.
  • Wrap tightly in clear film and put it in a large shallow dish.
  • Put a book on top as a weight and place in the fridge overnight.
  • Cut the broccoli into  small florets, then boil them until tender and drain. Refresh in cold water for 1 minutes and drain it.
  • Place the ingredients for the vinegar dressing in a saucepan and bring to boil.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and leave the dressing to cool, and then chill well. Discard the kombu wrapping from the brill.
  • Pile the brill into pyramid shapes in four shallow plates. Pour the chilled sauce over just before serving the brill. Serves4.

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