I suppose I had one of those light bulb moments tonight.

I was having a quick dinner at my local Japanese restaurant tonight and I realised just how simple, healthy AND gluten free this meal can be.

There are plenty of people who will cringe when you suggest eating raw fish, but there are just as many folk out there who are completely comfortable munching down on the beautiful silky-smooth, surprisingly ‘not-fishiness’ of good sashimi.

The Japanese people have unparalleled respect for ingredients, and no more so than where seafood is concerned.

Sashimi is carefully prepared raw fish, usually served with a zingy lump of wasabi, and thinly sliced and pickled ginger.  It’s close companion sushi is sliced fish served on a thumb-sized block of sticky rice.

Coeliacs can safely enjoy sashimi and sushi but should be very careful of using any soy sauce with their meal. Soy sauce is often manufactured using wheat.

Tamari is a Japanese soy sauce that is often thought to be wheat free.  Coeliacs should be careful making the substitution without checking the ingredients list on the label.

In any case, if you haven’t thought about eating raw fish before sidle up to your nearest sashimi bar, make friends with the chef (he’ll be the one with the big knife) and ask him what’s the best and to help you learn how to enjoy fish the way it’s supposed to be.