Hijiki sea vegetable benefits the thyroid; moistens dryness; helps normalize blood sugar; builds healthy bones and teeth; soothes nerves; supports hormone functions; resolves phlegm; and is mildly diuretic. It is an excellent of calcium, iron, and iodine and is richly supplied in vitamins B2 and niacin.

 

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. gluten-free spiral pasta (or any pasta of your choice)
  • 1/2 cup dried hijiki
  • 2 cp. lightly steamed green beans or snow peas
  • 6-8 finely chopped scallions
  • 1 1/2 – 2 cps. carrots, sliced thin
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • Toasted sesame oil
  • One TB. Tamari or gluten-free soy sauce
  • 1/2 cp. Apple juice
  • Mirin (rice cooking wine) – optional

 

Directions

  1. Cook pasta with a pinch of unrefined sea salt according to package directions.
  2. Rinse and soak hijiki in room temperature water for 30 minutes.
  3. Heat a small amount of sesame oil in a skillet and sauté hijiki for 3-5 minutes.
  4. Add carrots and sauté another 3-5 minutes.
  5. Combine apple juice, tamari and 1/2 cp. water and pour over hijiki. The liquid should almost cover the hijiki. You may need to add a little more.
  6. Simmer 20-25 minutes covered. Remove lid last 5 minutes, cooking until all liquid is absorbed.
  7. Sprinkle cooked pasta generously with toasted sesame oil.
  8. Combine all vegetables, pasta, and hijiki. If the dish needs more flavor, add a little more apple juice and tamari.

 

 

Note

Arame and Hijiki can be interchanged in recipes. Arame has a mild taste and hijiki’s flavor is stronger.