Watercress Shiraae – A Silken Tofu Salad with Seasonal Simplicity
“Shiraae” is a traditional Japanese salad made with mashed tofu. It’s one of my personal favorites—simple yet deeply comforting. Silken tofu is gently pressed to remove excess moisture, then blended (traditionally with a mortar and pestle) into a smooth, creamy paste. The dressing is flavored with ingredients like sesame paste, white miso, sugar, and light soy sauce, resulting in a subtle, nutty-savory sauce. This is then combined with seasonal vegetables or fruits.
The components change with the time of year:
You’ll often find spinach, carrots, or blanched greens. In autumn, persimmons, grapes, or figs might be added for a sweet-savory twist. Occasionally seafood or mushrooms, too. It’s a dish that reflects the rhythm of the seasons.
This time, I paired it with watercress, inspired by a beautiful post by@kayomaru4591🌿
Recipe and Cooking Details in Photos
Tofu base:
- 500g of silken tofu
- Parboil and drain thoroughly (press or weigh down), then blend with:
- 2 tbsp sesame paste
- 2 tsp light soy sauce
- 2–3 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp white miso (I used Saikyo miso, but any mild white miso works)
※No sesame paste? You can substitute with unsweetened peanut butter.
Watercress (or greens):
- Parboil, drain and cool.
- Then “shoyu-arai”: rinse the greens lightly with soy sauce, then squeeze out the moisture. This step seasons the greens while removing excess water—a traditional method that makes a big difference.
Plating tip:
Instead of mixing everything together, I love to layer the tofu dressing and greens—like snow on a pine tree. It creates a soft and serene visual that highlights the dish’s gentle flavor.
クレソンと絹ごしの白和え：豆腐の小さな物語
季節の白和え。
先日、カヨさん @kayomaru4591 の素敵なクレソンの白和えを見て、クレソンを見かけたら！と思っていました！
・衣：ゴマも豆腐も、すり鉢は使いませんでした。笑 がっつり水切りした絹ごし豆腐＆練りごま＆白みそ＆砂糖＆醤油＆をブレンダーでぶーーーーん！！ピューレ状ですが、私は白和えは大体これで楽しんでいます。木綿で作ることが多いのですが、なんとなく春なので絹ごしで。
・クレソン：ローカルスーパーで入手したクレソン、茎太目＆苦みはちょっと弱めなのですが、それでも、クレソン特有のちょっとした辛味＆苦味が感じられ、うれしくなります。ゆでておか上げ、しょうゆ洗い（浸透圧で、味を入れつつ、水気を切る）
・重ねるように盛り付ける
This post has a Video: Watch on Instagram✨（インスタにリール動画掲載しています）
A short Instagram post with video to share the idea of the process & flow can be accessed from link below. (要所要所のポイントや流れを数十秒でご紹介しています：
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