Friday, March 13, 2009

K2, not for everyone?

Yes for everyone, just maybe not in the form you see below.
Make sure you read all the posts on K2 at Richards's blog. It's important I believe. I'm missing a link for Stephan's Whole Health Source on the right, but will get it up there. Stephan has a very very insightful and super smart blog. I need to read it slowly (and often again) to really comprehend all that's being laid out.

So back to K2. "Natto" is a very interesting food. Fermented cheesy soy bean, might not appeal to everyone, but I enjoy eating it immensely. I have gotten weird looks from Japanese people when I eat it. Even a lot of native Japanese don't like it. It has a nutty and very complex flavor. I stopped eating it a for a while, but now I'm of the belief that it can be part of a primal diet. Fermentation is good! And, it makes me feel good when I eat it.
I forgot to take a picture of the package so you can see it, it comes in a little styrofoam package and has two tiny little satchels inside it. One is soy sauce and the other is yellow mustard. Toss both, they are of the "franken food" variety. Who came up with that word anyway? I like it.
Next take out the Natto and put in a bowl. Now you need to "wake it up", stir continuously until it develops a very sticky texture.

















Once I got it to the required consistency, I added some scallion, and finely diced cucumber. Add a tiny splash of tamari sauce and a drop of mustard. Mix well and ENJOY. ;-)
I put it on some nori and made a nice hand roll out of it.
Not for everyone, but if you want to be adventurous, give it a try. You can find it in most Asian grocery stores, in the frozen section. Put it in the fridge to defrost.

















Here's breakfast from the other morning. Poached some fresh salmon (heat water in a pan and add the salmon. Simple right?) and made salmon salad. Salmon, homemade mayo, capers and cucumber.
Side of watermelon.

















This was a great office snack. Celery, almond butter and some fruit. I also ate two boiled eggs with it.

















Have a great weekend everyone and try some Natto ;-)

10 comments:

BEELifestyle said...

Not sure about this one Mark... Don't think I'll seek it out, but if I'm shopping this weekend and happen to see- I might as well try!

Thanks for introducing me to interesting foods!

-BEE

Anonymous said...

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Anonymous said...

Natto has never appealed to me... at all. lol Put that salmon salad in the nori wrap though and NOW we are talking.

The more I look into consumption of soy... the less I want to ingest it in any form.

The SoG

Mark said...

Cool - thanks for posting this. I saw natto on the list of K foods from one of Stephan's post but know little about it.

I lean to SoG's side with respect to soy consumption - I avoid it as much as possible. However, I think fermentation allows for occasional usage (I think MDA had a post on this not too long ago). Anyway, I will see if I can find some and give it a try. Vitamin K is seeming to be the nexgt Vitamin D.

Richard Nikoley said...

I think a girl once fed me natto back when I lived in Japan from '84 - '89, but I ate so many strange native foods (and liked the vast majority of them) that I don't remember specifically.

I'm going to have to give it a try. I might do up one of those rolls with natto and ikura (my favorite sushi), that was you get both the -7 and the -4.

Marc said...

Bee;
You're welcome.
I won't take it personal if you don't like this one ;-)

SOG;
I agree with you completely on soy. This is my one exception.
You like "salmon roe"? Take a look at the link I'm giving Richard.

Jumpow;
If you can't stomach the natto and are curious about the vitamin K, they make "natto kinase" supplements. I've heard good things. Stephan's blog is very very good.

Richard,
I love Ikura and that would be a great addition to the natto.
Have you ever heard of these guys?
http://www.catalinaop.com/ ?
It's the best I've found. The Ikura they have is delicious, their Uni the BEST!! They also sell "monkfish liver" (Ankimo) decadent stuff.
Now I'm hungry....

Have a great Sunday everyone.
Marc

s said...

I havent had in a while but I really like natto!! Havent been around much and gave up on my blog too, computer has been really sick. Hope you are doing well.

I also have awesome news, a new and third grandbaby is due in July!! They really keep me hopping and young...

Marc said...

Hi Sarena!!!!
Glad to hear from you.
CONGRATULATIONS on your upcoming grand baby!!
You are the youngest and for sure strongest grandma I know ;-)
Stay well & stay in touch!

Marc

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this - where do you get your Natto? Supposedly its a bit hard to find in grocery stores.

Marc said...

Justin,

Most Asian markets carry it.
I've never come across it in any other place. The Asian markets carry several varieties.
It's really wonderful stuff.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment
Marc