Light up Japan recipe –No.10
One of the main reasons why I like spring is cherry blossoms.
Cherry blossoms have special meanings in Japanese culture, these are seen as a metaphor for life. A noble, beautiful blooming followed by the inevitable fall.
At this time of the year in Japan, we have a lot of ‘cherry blossom viewing party’. Drinking, eating and singing under the cherry blossom trees, appreciate and celebrate the beauty of cherry blossoms.
Japanese people are still having a very sad and hard time, but I believe that cherry blossoms lift their spirits.
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— Cherry Blossom and Green Olive Rice (Serves 2) —
8-10 salt-preserved cherry blossoms
8-10 green olives
300g rice (Japanese short grain white rice, or sushi rice)
420ml water
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— for salt-preserved cherry blossoms—
100g double-flowered cherry blossoms
50g sea salt
50g sea salt for preserve
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— Salt-preserved cherry blossoms —
Cut the flowers (with the short stems), wash them gently in cold water and drain.
Toss the blossoms with the salt, place the salted flowers in a plate, cover with cling film and place a weight on the top of it to force out excess water, then leave it for 2 days.
Drain the water, and pat dry the flowers with kitchen papers.
Place the flowers in a small bowl, sprinkle them with the vinegar, cover with cling film and place a weight on the top of it again, and leave it for 2 more days.
Drain the vinegar, pat dry the flower with kitchen papers, toss the flowers with the sea salt (for preserve) and store them in a small, clean jar.
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— Cherry Blossoms and Green Olive Rice —
Place 8-10 salt-preserved cherry blossoms in a bowl with 420ml water, leave the flowers for 10 minutes.
Take out the cherry blossoms from the water, wring water out of the flowers (keep the water in a bowl for cooking rice*).
Rinse the rice in a clod water, changing the water several times until the water runs almost clear.
Drain the washed rice in a sieve and place in a saucepan.
Pour the water in a bowl* in the pan and cover with tight-fitting rid.
Bring to the boil over high heat and let cook for 2 minute. Reduce the heat to the lowest and simmer (always cover the pan with a rid) 15 minute. Remove from the heat, still covered, and leave the pan for another 10 minutes.
Finely cut the cherry blossoms and green olives.
Mix the cooked rice, cherry blossoms and green olives together.
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