Koinobori (こいのぼり) is carp-shaped wind socks traditionally flown on May 5th in Japan to celebrate "Tango no Sekku" (端午の節句), boy's festival, in honor of sons and in the hope that they will grow up healthy and strong.
However in 1948, the government renamed the day "Kodomo no Hi" (こどもの日), children's day, to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness.
But we Japanese still celebrate "Tango no Sekku" on this day! If you come to Japan, you will find many foods and products represent Koinobori (carp)!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elmy6FJkwyw
So, today, I will show you how to make carp-shaped spring rolls because my darling requested it. hehe
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Koinobori Spring Rolls
Difficulty: Medium
Time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 10
Ingredients:
((Spring Rolls))
10 spring roll pastry (wrappers)
100g (3.5oz.) thinly sliced pork
100g (3.5oz.) carrot
100g (3.5oz.) cabbage
1 (30g=1.1oz.) green pepper
80g (3oz.) boiled takenoko (bamboo shoot)
2 shiitake mushrooms *dried ones are perfect
1 tbsp. cooking oil
A
* 1 tbsp. soy sauce
* 1 tbsp. sake
* 2 tsp. sugar
* 3 tbsp. water *chicken stock is perfect
* salt and pepper
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 tbsp. katakuriko (starch) with 2 tbsp. water
a bit of flour and water to seal the spring roll pastry
vegetable oil for frying
((Decoration))
boiled star-shaped carrot
boiled green beans
sliced American cheese and nori sheet for eyes
ketchup for fish scales
Directions:
((Spring Rolls))
1. Thinly slice the pork and the vegetables. *season the pork with salt and pepper if you have time
2. Heat cooking oil in a frying pan and saute the pork. When the pork starts to change color, add carrots, bamboo shoots, green peppers, shiitake mushrooms, and cabbages in order. Then cook until softened and season with A.
3. Turn off the heat, add katakuriko (starch) with water, heat again to thicken the sauce, then season with sesame oil. Stop the heat and leave it to cool completely.
4. Divide the filling into 10 portions. Place 1 portion of the filling about 2 inches above the bottom corner of the spring roll pastry. Roll the wrapper half-way. Then fold both sides in toward the center and continue to roll. Spread a small amount of the mixture of flour and water on the tip to seal.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan to 140C (284F). Dip 5 (or maybe all if you have a large pan) spring rolls and fry them slowly until golden brown and crisp, stirring occasionally. *It takes about 10 minutes but in this way you will get crispy spring rolls!
((Decoration))
1. Place the boiled green beans, the boiled star-shaped carrot and the spring rolls on a plate.
2. Cut out the sliced American cheese and nori sheet to make the eyes. Draw fish scales with ketchup.
* If you want a dipping sauce, you can mix soy sauce and Japanese mustard (Karashi) together.
↓レシピ（日本語）
http://www.cooklabo.blogspot.jp/2012/04/blog-post_24.html
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I hope you can make this for your boys :D
Girl's day recipe is HERE.
Easy Hinaningyo Rice Balls for Hinamatsuri
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzhxfUAYjrE
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