Dried fish and charcoal grilled silver salmon collar set meal https://tenposstar.com/ja/merchant/657bed8834fa7

With the arrival of autumn, new rice enriches our dining tables. The steam rising from freshly cooked new rice, the luster of its plump grains, and the gentle sweetness and aroma that fills the mouth are truly the origins of Japanese food culture. In this article, we suggest the ultimate Japanese set meal to fully enjoy new rice. We will introduce a variety of simple yet sophisticated side dishes that bring out the best in the main ingredient, rice. Understand the role of each dish and find the perfect combination.

What is the appeal of new rice?

First, let's review the definition of new rice. New rice refers to rice that has been harvested that year and has been milled and packaged within the same year. Compared to older rice, it has a higher moisture content and plumper, fresher grains. The rich aroma unique to new rice and the gentle sweetness that spreads the moment you put it in your mouth are special flavors that can only be enjoyed at this time of year. However, due to its delicate characteristics, some ingenuity is required in the way it is cooked.

Secrets of rice cooking: Three points to cook delicious new rice

1. Wash the rice gently and quickly: Newly harvested rice is high in starch, so if you wash it too hard, the delicious umami components will be washed away. The trick is to wash it quickly and gently.

2. Short soaking time: Newly harvested rice has a high moisture content, so it does not need to be soaked for a long time. 30 minutes to an hour is sufficient.

3. Use a little less water than usual to cook fluffy rice with firm grains.

The ultimate Japanese set meal menu

To bring out the best flavor of newly harvested rice, you need side dishes that complement the rice itself. Here, we introduce the ultimate menu, simple yet sure to make you want to eat more rice.

1. The ultimate star: freshly cooked rice

Let's try cooking rice in a clay pot, following the tips mentioned above. A clay pot distributes heat evenly, allowing every grain of rice to be thoroughly cooked. The moment you open the lid, the smell of scorched rice and the aroma of freshly harvested rice is exceptional.

2. Classic comfort: grilled salted salmon

The undisputed star of any Japanese set meal is grilled salmon with salt. Fatty salmon is simply grilled with salt. This simplicity creates an exquisite harmony with the gentle sweetness of new-crop rice. The key is to make the skin crispy and the meat plump.

3. A gentle palate cleanser: rolled omelet

After savoring the soft, fluffy texture of newly harvested rice, a bite of rolled omelet is comforting and heart-warming. The carefully made dashi stock and the gentle sweetness of the egg melt together in your mouth. A slightly sweeter seasoning makes it even better paired with rice.

4. A nutritious side dish: Mushroom and fried tofu miso soup

Miso soup made with plenty of mushrooms, a taste of autumn, adds depth to a set meal. Using several types of mushrooms, such as shimeji, maitake, and enoki, enhances the aroma and flavor. Adding fried tofu adds richness and satisfaction.

5. A refreshing accent: grated daikon radish

The classic accompaniment to grilled salted salmon is grated daikon radish. It not only aids digestion, but also has the role of refreshing your mouth. You can also add a little soy sauce to enjoy a spicy kick.

6. A small dish you won't be able to stop eating: Boiled spinach

Boiled spinach is an essential side dish that goes well with rice. Simply toss boiled spinach with dashi soy sauce and bonito flakes. Although it's a simple dish, the sweetness and umami of the vegetables go perfectly with rice.

7. Final touches: pickles and seaweed

Pickles and nori seaweed are essential accompaniments to rice. Their crunchy texture and salty taste enhance the deliciousness of rice. Whether eaten as a palate cleanser or wrapped around rice, each is an important part of completing a set meal.

Why is this combination the ultimate?

At first glance, this menu may seem like a mundane combination, but it embodies the wisdom and balance that Japanese food culture has cultivated over the years.

• Clear roles for the main and supporting ingredients : The rice is the main ingredient, and the grilled salted salmon and rolled omelet bring out its flavor. Each ingredient is not too assertive, and maintains harmony.

• Balance of flavors : The dish has a good balance of saltiness (salmon, pickles), sweetness (rolled omelet, rice), umami (miso soup, boiled greens), and sourness (pickles). This allows you to enjoy a new flavor with every bite, making it easy to keep your meal going without getting bored.

• Variety of textures : Enjoy a variety of textures, including fluffy rice, crispy salmon skin, soft rolled omelet, crunchy spinach, and crunchy pickles.

Conclusion

Seasonal vegetables, wasabi, and grilled fish set meal https://tenposstar.com/ja/merchant/664552530ab9e

The new rice season gives us an opportunity to reexamine the origins of food. Even without preparing a special dish, carefully cooked rice and a simple dish to accompany it can create an unparalleled feast. The ultimate Japanese set meal proposed today is the first step to rediscovering the richness of Japanese food culture and the infinite possibilities of new rice. This fall, we encourage you to enjoy the deliciousness of freshly cooked rice at home to your heart's content.