Japanese New Year 2012: Ozoni

Happy New Year!  Time for ozoni!!! Zoom in on the brown rice mochi :D

In light of macrobiotics, I decided to pay tribute to Japanese New Year!!!  Known as shogatsu or oshogatsu, this is the most important holiday in Japan. Most businesses shut down from January 1 to January 3, and families typically gather to spend the days together.


On New Year's day osechi ceremonial foods are served, which are an assortment of small dishes in stacked bento boxes. Instead of preparing a full on osechi-ryu, I decided to prepare a Japanese soup called ozoni.   This is usually served alongside the osechi and contains mochi rice cakes.  Meaning is tied to the shape of the mochi being either square or round: a round shape portrays a precious mirror from ancient times that has no sharp corners where everything goes smooth like the rounded lines, and a square shape symbolizes its sharp corners beating enemies or bad luck. This dish gives strength, increases energy, and strengthens the blood generally or for conditions such as anemia, mental conditions, nervous conditions, and spinal cord disorders.


Ozoni


1 block brown rice mochi
1/2 cup peeled and chopped kabocha squash
1/4 tsp miso diluted in some water
Broccoli
Lotus Root sliced
Gobo/Burdock sliced
Carrots cut into chunks
Daikon cut into chunks
Chopped Bok Choy
Napa/Chinese Cabbage/kale

1. Cut the block of mochi in half and pan fry without oil until it puffs up.  Brown on both sides.  You may add a few drops of shoyu on each side if desired.
2. Boil kabocha squash until soft then puree in blender with some water until smooth and slightly watery.
3. Boil the carrots, daikon, burdock, lotus root and broccoli in 2 -3 cups of water until cooked and soft.  Turn down heat to a simmer and add bok choy and other leafy greens.  Simmer for 3-5 mins.
4. Add pureed kabocha slowly and just enough until you get your desired consistency.  Add diluted miso and simmer for 3 mins.  Do not boil.
5. To serve place pan fried mochi in bowl and pour veggie soup over the mochi.  Eat immediately.

This is the mochi brand that I love to use.  There are several brands to choose from, just make sure it is brown rice with no added ingredients.  When eating mochi be sure to take small bites and chew thoroughly.