In this recipe video, I will introduce how to make Simmered Pumpkin called “Kabocha no Nimono”. This vegan Japanese food is a standard side dish eaten in Japanese homes and often appears in commercial lunch boxes. Pumpkins are hard and heavy and take a lot of time to cook, but if you process them properly, you can easily incorporate them into your daily cooking.
The first Day of the Horse in February is called Hatsu-uma. On this day large festivals are held at Inari shrines all over Japan to pray for a good harvest and increased fortune. Inari is the name of the god of farming and Inari Shrines have been very important in people’s lives.
Foxes are believed to be messengers of the god of farming so people make offerings to foxes of their favorite food which is deep-fried bean curd formed into pockets and filled with sushi rice.
In some regions people offer Hatsu-uma dumplings and pray for prosperity in business.
Do you sew clothing for yourself using needle and thread?
In Japan, sewing was an essential part of everyday life long time ago.
On February 8, women took a day off from their sewing responsibilities and collected the old needles they had used during the previous year. This memorial service for needles is called “Harikuyo” (針供養).
People stuck the needles into a block of tofu or other soft things like cakes of konnyaku (gelatin made from the root of a plant called devil’s tongue). They gave thanks and offered prayers for the repose of the needles. They also prayed for improvement in their sewing skills.
There are some shrines today that perform memorial services for needles. This important tradition is still kept at schools which teach kimono-sewing skills and also at dressmaking schools.
Since my son entered kindergarten, I have more opportunities to sew. To be honest, I’m not good at sewing, but I want to do my best as much as I can. With that in mind, I prepared tofu and konnyaku and offered this event.
Living In Japan, Grocery Shopping From Online Supermarket, Ramen & Gyoza Lunch, Toddler Food Ideas
Content:
– What I Bought From Online Supermarket (Grocery Shopping Haul)
– One of My Night Routines
– Making Ramen & Gyoza for Lunch
– Japanese sweets Monaka from Fukusaya
– Making UFO-shape Gyoza with my son
– New Kitchen Item : Clear Floor Mat
Menu:
– Japanese rice [Recipe]
– Miso soup with wakame, spinach and long onion [Recipe]
– Tofu hamburg steak
– Gyoza
– Japanese omelette [Recipe]
– Sesame salad with spinach, bean sprouts and carrot [Recipe]
– Natto with yukari
In this recipe video, I will introduce how to make Japanese baby foods for 9 to 12 months old. This time, I introduce veggie soup, which babies and parents can share. For adult (parents) version, pour a drizzle the olive oil and regular veggie consommé to add the further taste. Read More
Setsubun (節分) comes as soon as the fluttering January is over. Setsubun is a seasonal division and has been an important time-honored rite to welcome the New Year by banishing evils and keep the house from calamity.
On the day, we eat “Eho-maki”, sushi roll containing 7 ingredients associated with the Seven Deities of Good Fortune “Shichi-fukujin”, facing the direction of Eho that is most lucky for the year as determined by the Way of Yin and Yang.
The other day, I made my-style Ehomaki and I put more than 7 ingredients! I put Japanese omelette, Cucumber, Minced tuna, Kanpyo(seasoned dried gourd strips), Anago(conger eel), Kanikama(fake crab meat), Seasoned shiitake mushrooms, Sprouts and Denbu(sweetened fish powder colored in pink). It is also customary to eat Eho-maki while making a wish in the mind with the eyes closed and without uttering a single word. You will eat the whole roll at a stroke in order not to lose ties.
If you are interested in making thick sushi roll, please check this recipe! : Thick Sushi Roll
Menu:
– Japanese rice with Natto
– Miso soup with eggplant, tofu and spring onion [Recipe]
– Fried chikuwa fish cake
– Fried potato and fake crab meat
– Japanese omelette [Recipe]
– Chicken with white sesame
– Stir-fry burdock and carrot [Recipe]
– Sesame salad with spinach [Recipe]