Vinegared radish and carrot

Kouhaku namasu（紅白なます）

What kind of dish is kouhaku namasu??

“Kohaku namasu” is a staple of New Year dishes. It’s known as an auspicious dish. “Kohaku” means red and white.

Red and white represent mizuhiki, and it has the meaning of “wish for peace in the home.” Mizuhiki is a string tied to the front of the gift envelope, and is also used for New Year decorations.

In the olden days, fish and meat that were finely chopped and mixed with seasonings were called “namasu”. But now, “namasu” refers to a dish of vegetables mixed with vinegar.

The recipe for this dish is very simple. Cut the daikon radish and carrot into thin strips, rub them with salt, and mix them with sweet vinegar. Depending on the region, fish, persimmons, and yuzu are also added.

Rub salt into the food to remove moisture, and soak it in vinegar so it can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. Osechi, which is eaten on New Year’s Day in Japan, is a dish that can be stored for a long time. In ancient times, people refrained from using fire during the New Year. Therefore, people made foods that could be preserved and packed them in jubako.

Japanese radish contains an enzyme called diastase that promotes digestion and relieves fatigue.
It’s a perfect dish for New Year’s, when people tend to overeat and drink. I love vinegared foods, so I usually make and eat them.

NUTRITION FACTS

30kcal Protein 0.8g Fat 1.1g Carb 4.6g Salt Equivalent 0.4g

⋈*Salt absorption rate is 40%.

INGREDIENTS（８SERVINGS)

Japanese radish 250g
carrot 50g
salt 3g
fried tofu 15g
☆vinegar 50g
☆sugar 20g
☆salt 2g
white sesame 5g

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

➀ Thinly slice the Japanese radish and carrots. The thickness is about 0.5mm. It’s good to use a slicer.

② Shred the Japanese radish and carrot.

③ Rub Japanese radish and carrots with salt. Squeeze after 10 minutes.

④ Soak the fried tofu in hot water for 1 minute and squeeze. When cool, cut into strips.

⑤ Place vinegar, sugar and salt in a heat-resistant container and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds.

⑥ When the seasoning has cooled down, mix all the ingredients.

⋈*This is a dish I made for my nephew’s ”Hundred Days Celebration”. “百日祝い＝Hundred Days Celebration” is a ceremony that is held 100 days after a baby is born.

Check out this article for the recipe for Chikuzenni.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　👉　Simmered chicken and root vegetables

naokoan

I’m Naoko. After graduating from a registered dietitian training school, I am working as a registered dietitian at a hospital in Japan. I love to cook and eat delicious food. I make recipes with calorie counting. The reason why all the ingredients are written as “g” is to accurately calculate calories. I am especially good at cooking with pressure cookers and ovens. I would like to introduce the recipe to foreigners who are interested in Japanese food. So I started writing Japanese home cooking recipes on my blog in English. 大学卒業後、管理栄養士として病院で勤務しています。レシピはカロリー計算を出来るだけ正確に行いたいので“g”で表記しています。日本の家庭料理のレシピを英語で紹介しています。圧力鍋とオーブンを使う料理が得意です。日本食・和食に興味を持ってもらえたら嬉しいです。よろしくお願いします(*ˊᵕˋ)♡‧₊