Sora Mame

Sora Mame

Fava Beans: Sora Mamé そら豆 (Fava beans have been part of the eastern Mediterranean diet (Egypt, Greece, Italy) for at least 4000 years. There are stories of monks from India traveling through China who brought fava beans to Japan in the Nara Period (710-794...
Gingery Soy-Stewed Snapper

Gingery Soy-Stewed Snapper

Gingery Soy-Stewed Red Snapper, several versions 金目鯛の煮付 KINMEDAI no NITSUKÉ Nitsuké-style stewed fish is especially flavorful when cooked bone-in. In addition to slices with skin and bone intact, various fish parts including heads, and collars are delicious prepared...
Shaping Rice

Shaping Rice

Making bale-shaped rice logs 俵型 TAWARA-GATA The Japanese often serve cooked rice at room temperature, packing it in obentō lunch boxes, or making it part of a buffet-like spread to feed a large crowd. At such times, the cooked rice is likely to be pressed, by hand or...
Rolled Omelets, Two Ways

Rolled Omelets, Two Ways

Thick Rolled Omelet  Atsu Tamago Yaki厚玉子焼き A classic in the washoku kitchen, thick, rolled omelets are made by cooking a seasoned egg mixture, layer by layer, in a pan – preferably a square or rectangular-shaped one. In and around Tokyo, the egg mixture is rather...
Displaying Dolls for Doll’s Day

Displaying Dolls for Doll’s Day

The Andoh Family’s full set of HINA NINGYŌ Just off camera is a wind-up music box that plays Ureshi Hina Matsuri うれしひな祭り.  Download a chart explaining each of the dolls, and words to the song. 雛祭り Hina Matsuri Doll’s Day For ancient agrarian societies,...