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After the indulgences of Japanese New Yr celebrations, we get pleasure from Nanakusa Gayu (七草粥) or seven herb rice porridge on January 7. This gentle and comforting okayu permits our stomachs to get better from the feasts we loved through the vacation in Japan.
On January seventh of the New Yr, the Japanese observe a convention often called nanakusa no sekku (七草の節句), or the Competition of the Seven Herbs, by consuming a wholesome rice porridge known as Nanakusa Gayu (七草粥). This time-honored customized is believed to carry good well being and to keep off evil spirits for the remainder of the yr.
The straightforward meal of rice porridge hits the spot after all of the feasting and helps our overindulged abdomen to heal and get better. In the event you’re prepared for a reset, this tasty but gentle porridge can be a pleasant welcome to get us again on observe.
What’s Nanakusa Gayu?
Nanakusa gayu, actually interprets to “seven herbs rice porridge”, is a sort of okayu or rice porridge that consists of seven (七 nana) herbs (草 kusa). We typically say haru no nanakusa (春の七草), which suggests spring seven herbs, as a result of younger herbs which are accessible throughout this time of yr are extra tender and aromatic.
The customized of consuming scorching rice porridge on the seventh day of the Japanese New Yr has its root in Chinese language perception and could be traced again to historic occasions in Japan. Based mostly on the Chinese language legend, January seventh is often known as Jinjitsu 人日, one of many 5 seasonal festivals (節句), which we have fun everybody’s birthday as it’s the day people have been born.
In Japan, we normally eat a plain bowl of okayu after we’re feeling underneath the climate as a result of it’s gentle, comforting, and simple for the abdomen. It’s a appropriate meal to heal any heavy emotions or sicknesses. As we wrap up the New Yr festivities, it is smart to eat nanakusa gayu. Since there’s little inexperienced throughout this season, the younger herbs included into the porridge carry colour to the desk and signify renewal for the brand new yr.
Use These Seven Herbs for Nanakusa Gayu
Listed below are the seven herbs utilized in nanakusa gayu:
- Water dropwort – Seri (せり)
- Shepherd’s Purse – Nazuna (なずな・ぺんぺん草)
- Cudweed – Gogyo (ごぎょう)
- Chickweed – Hakobera (はこべら)
- Nipplewort – Hotokenoza (ほとけのざ)
- Turnip – Suzuna (すずな・かぶ)
- Daikon radish – Suzushiro (すずしろ・大根)
To assist bear in mind the herbs, we also have a tune that goes like this: 「せり なずな、 ごぎょう はこべら ほとけのざ、 すずな すずしろ これぞ七草 (ななくさ)」(“Seri Nazuna, Gogyo Hakobera Hotokenoza, Suzuna Suzushiro Korezo Nanakusa.”)
For these of us who reside exterior of Japan, it might be a problem to seek out all of the seven herbs. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply you may’t make nanakusa gayu and benefit from the porridge at residence. Through the years, I’ve cooked with varied herbs and made my very own variations, and each seems simply as scrumptious.
Listed below are some widespread herbs that you need to use, however be certain that nothing is simply too robust or dominant within the quantity that overkills the flavors:
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Chervil
- Chives
- Fennel
- Mint
- Watercress, and so on
The place To Discover Nanakusa (Seven Herbs)
In Japan
You’ll find these packages of handy “Haru no Nanakusa Set” (春の七草セット) in grocery shops. They’re mainly a bundle of contemporary herbs prepared to be used in making nanakusa gayu.
Exterior of Japan
Most of those greens will most likely be fairly arduous to return by within the US or wherever exterior of Japan, so my suggestion is to make use of a collection of greens you get pleasure from which are accessible close to you.
I waited for years to share this recipe on my weblog as a result of these contemporary herbs weren’t accessible. Fortunately, my native Japanese grocery retailer (Nijiya Market) began promoting this freeze-dry nanakusa.
The bundle contains 2 small servings of freeze-dried herbs.
Use Japanese Earthenware Pot Donabe for Nanakusa Gayu
For best-tasting okayu, I like to recommend utilizing a donabe (土鍋), a Japanese earthenware pot, to cook dinner the porridge.
This conventional clay pot distributes warmth superbly and retains warmth properly, and it makes a lovely serveware for nanakusa gayu. It actually fits the spirits of Japanese New Yr by serving such a significant meal in a donabe.
Earlier than you begin utilizing your Donabe, please study the right way to season and care to your donabe.
Extra on Japanese New Yr Traditions & Meals:
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Nanakusa Gayu (Seven Herb Rice Porridge)
After the indulgences of Japanese New Yr celebrations, we get pleasure from Nanakusa Gayu (七草粥) or seven herb rice porridge on January 7. This gentle and comforting okayu permits our stomachs to get better from the feasts we loved through the vacation in Japan.
Elements
For the Nanakusa (seven herbs)
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Directions
To Make the Rice Porridge
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Add ¼ cup raw Japanese short-grain white rice to a bowl and rinse underneath working water whereas gently rubbing the rice along with your fingers. Repeat 2–3 occasions till the water runs clear, then drain.
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Put the rice right into a small donabe (Japanese earthenware pot) or a heavy-bottomed pot. Add 250 ml water and canopy with a lid. Soak the rice for at the very least half-hour. Tip: With a heavy-bottomed pot like a donabe, the rice cooks evenly as a result of the warmth distribution is just not as robust and direct as a daily pot.
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After soaking, warmth the pot over medium-high warmth and produce the rice to a boil. You may open the lid to examine throughout this time.
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As quickly because it‘s boiling, gently combine as soon as with a spoon, ensuring the rice is just not caught to the underside of the pot. Then, decrease the warmth to the range’s lowest setting (be certain that to make use of the appropriate dimension burner to your pot dimension), cowl the lid, and simmer the rice for 25–half-hour. Throughout this time, don‘t open the lid or combine the rice (see Notes beneath).
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After 25–half-hour, flip off the warmth and put aside for 10 minutes to let it steam. Don’t open the lid throughout steaming. As soon as steamed, the rice ought to be tender and thickened.
To Make the Nanakusa Gayu
Notes
Use of Freeze-Dry Nanakusa: Learn directions on how a lot freeze-dried nanakusa you will have for every serving.
Cooking Directions: I comply with 1 to five rice-to-water ratio for my Okayu recipe. With a great dimension pot, and the bottom warmth on the range, water shouldn’t boil over. In the event you cook dinner with extra water or your pot is smaller than my pot, you might wish to cowl the lid at a slight angle so the water doesn’t boil over. If not sure, you may shortly peek and ensure there’s sufficient water so the rice doesn’t burn the underside of the pot. You may stir the pot or add “scorching” water if wanted. In any other case, don’t contact the rice since you would find yourself breaking the good form of rice kernels.
Rice-Water Ratio:
Zen-gayu – 1 : 5 (50 grams : 250 ml)
Shichibu-gayu – 1 : 7 (50 grams : 350 ml)
Gobu-gayu – 1 :10 (50 grams : 500 ml)
Sanbu-gayu – 1 : 20 (25 grams : 500 ml)
Utilizing Cooked Rice:
Add rice and 2-3 occasions water within the pot. Prepare dinner stirring over medium-low warmth. Modify the consistency by including extra water.
Vitamin
Vitamin Information
Nanakusa Gayu (Seven Herb Rice Porridge)
Quantity per Serving
% Day by day Worth*
* P.c Day by day Values are based mostly on a 2000 calorie weight loss plan.
Editor’s Word: The submit was initially revealed on January 5, 2017. It has been up to date with new photos in January 2019 and republished on January 2, 2023.
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