Shiso/ Perilla Recipes
Shiso is a flavor bomb waiting to be unleashed—herbaceous, citrusy, minty, and wildly versatile. Whether you’re working with green or purple varieties, here are some creative ways to spotlight shiso in your culinary experiments 🧪🌿:
🍽️ Savory Innovations
- Shiso Pesto: Swap basil for shiso in your pesto. Blend with garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and a splash of rice vinegar for a Japanese-Mediterranean hybrid.
- Shiso-Wrapped Dumplings: Use whole leaves to wrap fillings like miso-marinated tofu or wild mushrooms before steaming or pan-frying.
- Grilled Eggplant with Shiso-Miso Glaze: Brush eggplant slices with a miso-mirin-soy glaze and top with chiffonaded shiso for brightness.
- Shiso Fried Rice: Stir-fry rice with sesame oil, ginger, and chopped shiso for a fragrant twist.
- Tempeh Rolls: Roll thin slices of grilled protein around shiso leaves and scallions, then glaze with tamari and yuzu.
🥗 Fresh & Fermented
- Shiso Pickles: Add shiso to lacto-fermented cucumbers or daikon for a vibrant, minty layer.
- Shiso Salad: Toss sliced shiso with cucumber, radish, and carrot in a sesame-soy dressing.
- Shiso Kimchi: Use shiso in place of or alongside perilla in wildcrafted kimchi blends—especially with purple shiso for color.
🍹 Unexpected Twists
- Shiso Mayonnaise: Blend shiso into vegan mayo for a bright, herbal spread.
- Shiso Cocktails: Muddle shiso with citrus and gin or sake for a refreshing herbal drink.
- Shiso Ice Cream: Infuse cream with shiso and lemon zest for a floral, minty dessert.
🔬 Experimental Pairings for Your Matrix
- Shiso + Avocado: In sushi, salads, or spreads
- Shiso + Tomato + Sesame: For chilled noodle bowls or tart fillings
- Shiso + Fermented Soy (miso, natto, tamari): For umami layering
- Shiso + Stone Fruits: Try it with plum, apricot, or peach in chutneys or compotes
You’ll find even more inspiration in this list of 43 shiso ideas and 20 creative uses from The Rike.