So, the other day I was trying to figure out what to make for a get-together with some friends. I’ve got this crossword puzzle, see, and there’s this clue, “Sushi bar appetizer,” that’s been bugging me. It was last seen on The New Yorker Crossword and it’s got seven letters. I was thinking, “Hey, why not make the actual dish instead of just solving the puzzle?”
I looked it up and realized that this clue has been around for a while, last seen on October 7, or something. This appetizer thing is apparently a pretty common question in these puzzles, especially the NYT ones. It’s supposed to get your stomach ready for the main sushi courses, you know, warm it up a bit.
I started digging around for what this appetizer could be. Turns out there are tons of Japanese appetizers out there. I mean, there are at least 17 popular ones that people make to go with their meals, aside from the usual wasabi and soy sauce.
Then it hit me. The answer to the crossword clue, and a super common appetizer in sushi bars, is “edamame.” It’s a fancy name for steamed young soybeans, usually served in their pods. Simple, right?
So, I decided to make some edamame for my friends. I got some fresh edamame pods, which, by the way, are surprisingly easy to find at the grocery store. I washed them real good and then steamed them for about 5-7 minutes until they were bright green and tender.
How to Cook Edamame
- Wash the edamame pods under cold water.
- Boil some water in a pot and put the pods in a steamer basket above the water.
- Cover and steam for 5-7 minutes.
After steaming, I tossed them with a bit of sea salt. Some folks like to add garlic or chili flakes, but I wanted to keep it simple and authentic. The result? My friends loved it! They were munching on those pods all night. I mean, who knew a simple crossword clue could lead to such a tasty and successful appetizer?
I even explained the whole story about the crossword clue to my friends, and they thought it was pretty cool. So next time you’re stuck on a “Sushi bar appetizer” clue or just want a healthy and tasty snack, remember edamame. It’s a real crowd-pleaser, and it solved a crossword mystery for me!
