Miso

Mirin, miso paste, and hot chili oil are all available at Asian markets and in the Asian foods section of some supermarkets. Serve with: Steamed, salted edamame, and cold soba noodles with a peanut dressing.

Japanese connoisseurs of the noodle hold soba, made primarily of buckwheat flour, in particularly high regard. Here the nutty taste of the soba noodles is set off by a restorative broth in which miso is a savory option. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 25 min

Miso soup — a fermented-soybean broth — is not difficult to make at home. Freeze the ginger and thaw it before squeezing; that way, extracting the juice will be easy. Chilled sake goes well with the meal.

Miso, a fermented soybean paste, can be found in Asian markets, specialty foods stores and in the Asian section of most supermarkets. It is usually sold in plastic tubs and has a long shelf life.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Thai red chilies are used at Keo's, but a sliced jalapeño chili will work just as well.

Offered at A Pacific Cafe, in Kapaa, on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai.

"On a recent visit to Las Vegas, my father and I ate at Malibu Chan's," writes Stephanie Flanders of Simi Valley, California. "I had the sea bass, and I'm already craving it again. I'm hoping to add it to my recipe collection."

Black cod is steeped in sweet miso before being baked in the oven. The sweetness of Nobu-style Saikyo Miso is an excellent match with the plumpness of the fish.

In addition to dressing greens, this is especially good drizzled over sliced avocado. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This entrée from Anzu restaurant in Dallas partners Japanese miso and sake with Italian balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

This recipe is from Martha Johnson, chef at New York's Whole Foods organic market in SoHo.