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Mung beans & Wakame soup
emointhekitchen The holidays and New Year are a time of gatherings and often drinking more alcohol. According to traditional Chinese medicine, alcohol can warm the body, but excessive consumption weakens the kidneys, liver, and overall energy of the body. This popular Chinese soup traditionally appears on summer tables (not only for hangovers), and, despite its simplicity, delivers a multi-layered taste. They can be challenging for both mind and body. Take some time to relax with simple breathing exercises or gentle qigong movements. Harmony and self-care are the best gifts you can give yourself during this time. You will need: 4 cups water 1/2 cup rinsed dry mung beans 1 tablespoon…
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Easy Sushi
emointhekitchen “Fujiwara no Asahira (917 – 974)had problems with obesity and asked his doctor how to lose weight. He was told to eat pickled rice in water in summer and boiled rice in winter. So he ate pickled watermelon and sweet sushi as a side dish, but in the end, he did not lose weight, because he ate too much.” Konjaku Monogatarishū Heian period (794–1185) Konjaku Monogatarishū, Volume 28, Episode 23 Uji Shūi Monogatari, Episode 94 (Volume 7, Episode 3) In China, the character for “sushi” dates back to the 3rd to 5th century BC. However, historical records show that sushi was not popular in ancient China and was considered…
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Armenia Crab Salad
emointhekitchen Crab sticks are a popular Japanese product made from surimi–a mixture of white fish and starch shaped to mimic snow crab meat. These sticks, known in Japan as kanikama, add flavour to dishes such eg, the taste of seafood. A standout dish is an Armenian salad combining crab sticks with corn, cabbage and cucumber, offering a refreshing crunch and vibrant colours. This dish is not only visually appealing but also tasty, often served as a side dish or a light meal. A beautiful, delicious salad that proves once again that healthy food doesn’t have to be ugly, tasteless or boring, on the contrary, who wouldn’t want to eat a…
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Sweet potato & Kuchinashi (Gardenia) fruit
emointhekitchen October is the season for harvesting sweet potatoes. Not only are they more affordable, but when the weather gets colder, I find myself craving these foods more and more. The sweet taste is irresistibly delicious. It’s easy to make, so please try it. Next up Kuchinashi (Gardenia) fruit grows wild throughout Japan. They harvest fruits from October to December. Since ancient times, people have used this fruit not only as a dye and to colour food but also for its effectiveness as an herbal medicine. When used in Chinese medicine, it is called Shān zhī zi (山梔子). Gardenia fruit is characterized by not cracking even when ripe, and there…
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Edamame beans
emointhekitchen History Soybeans (edamame beans) were first cultivated in China some 7000 years ago. The place of origin is said to be East Asia and China. It is said that it was already eaten in its present form during the Nara and Heian periods. The term dates from the year 1275, when the Japanese monk Nichiren wrote a note thanking a parishioner for the gift of “edamame” he had left at the temple. In 1406, during the Ming dynasty in China, the leaves of the soybeans were eaten and during outbreaks of famine, it was recommended that citizens eat the beans whole or use them ground up and added to…
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Kogomi (Fiddlehead fern)
emointhekitchen 《本草纲目》:“蕨处处山中有之。二三月生芽,拳曲状如小儿拳。其茎嫩时采取,以灰汤煮去涎滑,晒干作蔬,味甘滑,亦可醋食。” “Compendium of Materia Medica”: “There are ferns everywhere in the mountains. Buds are born in February and March, and their fists are like children’s fists. The stems are taken when they are tender, boiled in ash soup to remove the saliva, and dried as vegetables. It tastes sweet and smooth, and can also be eaten with vinegar.” Li Shizhen said: (1518 -1593 – Ming dynasty) Fiddlehead fern (ostrich fern; Kogomi; Matteuccia struthiopteris; こごみ; 荚果蕨; Pérovník pštrosí) is collected throughout Japan and also in other Asian areas where it is considered a delicacy. It grows in moist areas from spring to early summer and is often eaten as a…
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Dragon Boat Festival food – Zongzi
emointhekitchen Get ready to paddle for joy at this Dragon Boat Festival! Held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, this ancient Chinese tradition is a time of feasting, racing, and celebrating the joys of life. The excitement of the Dragon Boat Festival stems from the thrilling boat races where teams of oarsmen row furiously to the beat of a drum. But that’s not all – something also known as the festival for its delicious food such as zongzi 粽子(glutinous rice dumplings) and xiaolongbao 小笼包(steamed pork buns). And what kind of festival would it be without colourful decorations? You’ll find dragon ship decorations, paper lanterns and wormwood. Zongzi…
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Vegan and gluten-free cookies made with oatmeal and rhubarb jam
emointhekitchen Cookies made with oatmeal and rice flour are gluten-free and have a crispy rustic texture. It doesn’t use butter or eggs, so it’s perfect as a snack for those on a diet. This time, I filled the cookies with rhubarb jam, which is in season. Rhubarb is a familiar vegetable in Europe and the United States, but recently it has become common in Japanese greengrocers. At first glance, it looks like celery, but it cannot be eaten raw. It is used to make sweets such as jams and pies. In addition to fibre, rhubarb contains a lot of potassium and is rich in polyphenols. You can mix rhubarb jam with…
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Aubergine with kudzu
emointhekitchen The place of origin of aubergine is in the eastern part of India. In India, people have cultivated it since prehistoric times. Then to China and Myanmar around the 5th century. It was introduced to Europe in the 13th century. Mapo aubergine is a type of Chinese food that is “fish-flavoured aubergine” (魚香茄子) in Japanese, one of Sichuan cuisine. The decisive factor in the taste of aubergine is the perfect balance between the fragrant and soft aubergine and the thick soy meat. The trick to deep frying Chinese food is to fry it at a high temperature for a short period of time. We need: baby aubergine soy meat…
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Sweet potato
emointhekitchen There is a story that in 1498 when Columbus discovered the Americas, he brought sweet potatoes back to Spain and presented them to Queen Isabella. Since then, sweet potatoes are said to have been brought to Japan around 1612, as they were treasured around the world as a salvage crop because they can be easily cultivated even in rough land. Its nutritional value is characterized by its high vitamin C content and high dietary fibre content. Let’s imagine “Satsumaimo”, which is famous in Japanese cuisine. I recommend a dish made by cooling and solidifying seasonal sweet potatoes and kudzu. You will need: 50g sweet potato (mashed) 50g Kudzu powder…