Nanakusagayu (Seven-Herb Rice Porridge)

Nanakusagayu is the seven-herb rice porridge that we eat in the morning of January 7th to bring longevity and health.

Below are the nanakusa (seven herbs):
- Seri (water dropwort, Oenanthe javanica)
- Nazuna (shepherd's purse)
- Gogyō (cudweed, gnaphalium affine)
- Hakobera (chickweed, stellaria media)
- Hotokenoza (nipplewort, lapsana apogonoides)
- Suzuna (turnip)
- Suzushiro (Daikon)

This morning we had it for breakfast. Every year, I cook it at the night of 1/7 because those herbs go on sale after work, but this year I bought them at the regular price to keep the tradition!

However, my boyfriend had a new year's party last night and he e-mailed me this morning that he couldn't come home. I was so shocked and told him that I wouldn't cook at night and then he came home immediately. Whew...

What a busy morning! I think I am done for today. Ha-ha!

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Nanakusagayu (Seven-Herb Rice Porridge)

Difficulty: Very Easy
Time: 10min
Number of servings: 2

Ingredients:
70g nanakusa (seven herbs)
250g (8.8oz.) cooked white rice (Japanese short-grain rice)
5cm dried kelp (or a pinch of kelp dashi powder is OK)
450cc water
2 mochi (Japanese rice cake) if desired
a pinch of salt

Directions:
1. Wash nanakusa.





2. Lightly boil nanakusa, cut roots, and chop.




3. Combine the water and kelp in a large pot. Bring the water to a boil.




4. When kelp softens, add the cooked white rice.




5. Add nanakusa and lightly season with salt.




6. Toast mochi. If desired.





7. Quickly place the toasted mochi in individual soup bowls and pour 5. over the top.




Traditionally, we don't add mochi but I add them to full my stomach in the morning ;)

My original recipe in Japanese is here.
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Of course you can only use daikon radish or whatever ingredients you like to cook this porridge! Tastes good and good for your stomach after the new year's big meal ;)

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My Accomplishments

Hi! We are blessed with fine weather every day. I wish we could have more new year's holidays!!! My work started from yesterday :(

Today, I will list the rest of my accomplishments last year.

On 12/13, I received a copy of recently released Taiwan version of sweet recipes book which of the Japanese version was published by Cookpad in 2006/11. My recipe (Ginger Cheese Pancake Christmas Tree) is on this book, too. Can jose read this?




On 12/25, my Spiral Salmon with Black Vinegar Sauce using black vinegar won 3 bottles of black vinegar juice! This recipe is very healthy and interesting ;) I rolled nutmeg seasoned cottage cheese and shiso (Japanese basil) with smoked salmon, and poured dashi flavored black vinegar sauce.



On 12/26, I won a family award at Yodoran (iodine-enriched egg)'s contest. I hope I won... I mean, my name wasn't listed on their website but on their e-mail newsletter, which was confusing...






Last week, I counted the numbers of awards I received in 2008 and found not that many... I have been trying this contest stuff for about 3 years, but maybe it might be time to go on to the next step! Will see... I will try to move on this year!
But every time when I feel a pressure in my life, I try to think that I should be happy being healthy. Why do I want further?!

Changing my story, yesterday, I saw on the news that Wedgewood went bankrupt! Couldn't believe it!!! I wasn't that fan of the brand, but I feel sad since I knew the name for a long time...
Waterford Wedgwood files for bankruptcy

We don't know what might happen the next :(
Best wishes for our future!!!

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After Happy Days

How nice, we have clear blue sky almost every day! We feel a slight chill in the high of 50F (10C), but nice enough!

Few hours ago, I saw Mt. Fuji with the sunrise, but now the sun has set... Isn't it sad!? Days are too short. I miss all my holidays which will end tomorrow...

Last night, my boyfriend and I had a dinner with my family. Maybe it was since last winter that we gatherd together. My dad now resides in China, so we aren't seeing each other that often. I was kind of lazy to see my family, but despite my feeling, it was fun!

Today, my boyfriend left for Shiga to see his parents. He just e-mailed me that his mom has recovered really well! Thanks to God!!! He will be there until Monday. I didn't go with him because my work starts from Monday. Anyway, isn't it funny that I feel lonely?! Didn't I hope to be alone?! Maybe not after happy days!!!

Tomorrow, I need to cook to fill my quota! I hope everything goes fine.

How was your holidays?!

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