Two powers which this bulb possesses: It is aphrodisiac. It was banned to be consumed at Buddhism temples. Consumption should be limited to 4-5 bulbs a day. Overeating causes minor, unpleasant health problems. Have you eaten sweet pickled, extremely crunchy, little garlic like bulbs, which are served with thick, stew-like Japanese curry dish? A little bulb is neither garlic nor shallot. It is rakkyo. Rakkyo, belongs to the Lily family, Allium. Onion, scallion and shallot...
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News from Hiroko; 1. New website construction is over; new, clean, updated site is up; Please visit www.hirokoskitchen.com 2. Summer has come in New York area after long weeks of cold spring; I have been enjoying early spring delicacies such as ramps, fiddle-head fern, rhubarb and asparagus. If you live in the area where season changes do not miss consuming spring vegetables now. Each vegetable growing in specific season offers us specific nutritional benefits which we need...
Read MoreDiscover Osechi Ryori (4) Kobumaki – Longevity
Kelp, which is an indispensable ingredient in Japanese cooking, plays an important role to bring longevity and good luck to the people who consume it at the beginning of the New Year. Kobumaki is a dish in which hydrated dried herring is wrapped and rolled in a piece of hydrated kelp sheet, and simmered tender. Here is the old post of the dish where you find the recipe. Since dried herring is not available here, I use smoked...
Read MoreDiscover Osechi Ryori (3) Kinton: Money
Kinton means gold bar or lump of gold. Kinton is a dish in which mashed, sweetened sweet potato is tossed with candied chestnuts. The sweet potato is usually cooked with dried gardenia flower pod to make the dish to acquire bright golden yellow color. I have changed my mother’s recipe in 3 areas. I cook the sweet potato in the oven for stronger flavor of sweet potato; I reduced the amount of sugar added to the sweet potato...
Read MoreDiscover Osechi Ryori (2) Tazukuri – Baby Fish for Building Wealth
How to make wealth with baby fish? Tazukuri is a dish in which tiny dried baby sardines are roasted in a skillet until crispy and fragrant (I mean fish fragrant), and flavored with sugar, shoyu and sake (rice wine). The direct translation of Tazukuri is to build nutritious and healthy soil. In the past baby sardines were used as a fertilizer in the rice paddies and vegetable fields. Eating these tiny fish at the beginning of...
Read MoreDiscvoer Osechi Ryori (1) Kuromame for Health
Every Japanese citizen starts a New Year with auspicious Osechi Ryori meal. Osechi Ryori is a celebration meal like the one enjoyed at Thanksgiving dinner. There is a whole set of rule of what to be served for the celebration. Osechi Ryori has many dishes in the meal. Each ingredient used is related to something which bring us luck, prosperity, health and happiness in the New Year. I have begun making Osechi Ryori dish...
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