It really is all relative, isn't it? Today, I'm talking about wintertime. It's all shivers and parkas and boots here (myself included in the parka and boots, maybe not the shivers), but it reaches the 40s every day with the sun shining clear and bright. We are learning so much about the cultures of the 45 countries represented at YIS, and in this season, we're learning about the thickness of our blood. To Aussies and Thais and Indonesians, it's downright cold. To Minnesotans and Canadians, it's like April.
Nonetheless, it's chilly in Minnesota in April and chilly here now. What better time to explore the Japanese hot pot?
This nabe pot was my present under the tree this year, and it's gotten some good use as we try to figure out what to put into it. I've got a new book coming next week that will help me find some more traditional combinations than the pork and clams that we choose collectively in a family trip to the market, but each time we've made it, we've enjoyed the soup and the time sitting and talking as we waited for it to cook.
The pot even came on our New Year's trip to the Izu peninsula and I got to go shopping with our new Japanese friend to choose the ingredients. I think we're starting to roll here with giant prawns, salmon, clams, tofu and veggies.
May you have warm cozy meals in your hearth this season. Unless, of course, you're in Australia, in which case I hope you enjoy your snags on the barbie.
Nabe - my favorite! Looks soooooo good :-)
Posted by: Dale | January 28, 2011 at 12:35 AM