Every once in a while, Reiko, my mother-in-law, travels to Japan on business and pleasure. When she returns, Aki and I are the recipients of many interesting Japanese exports, from candied nuts wrapped in nori to dried cuttlefish and squid. Reiko handpicks interesting ingredients and snacks and then bundles them up and ships them to us. Inevitably, we have little or no idea what all the packages are, so we have a verbal show and tell over the phone as we are led through the ingredients, their significance, and the reason for their inclusion in the care package. Recently, Reiko sent dried cuttlefish, which is like a sweet sea jerky. At first, the taste turns your head, though like many Japanese snacks, the taste, texture, and aroma become addicting. Initially, I wanted to make a puree out of the dried cuttlefish. Unfortunately, Aki and Inky finished the package off before I spoke up. When I talked with Reiko, she said she would send some more dried cuttlefish or squid. She was true to her word, and in her latest package arrived what I believe is dried squid. It is not as thick or sweet as the cuttlefish, though I could be wrong, as I cannot read or speak Japanese. I took the dried squid and rethought my idea about a puree. I wanted something crispy, so I made a dried squid crisp. I plan on using the crisp in an asparagus salad, though I shall see what inspirations come between now and then.
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