Friday, October 12, 2018

Carrots and Burdock Root (Kimpira-Gobo)

We love this recipe for a side dish. It's not only tasty, but it is healthy. Burdock root is an anti-parasite vegetable.... meaning it helps keep parasites out of the body. 

Ingredients: (for 4 persons)
3/4 burdock root (5 ounces 140 grams)
1/2 carrot (2 ounces/60 grams)
1 1/2 Tablespoons sesame oil
1/2 Tablespoons (or 1 1/2 tsp.) of honey
1/2 Tablespoon (or 1 1/2 tsp.) mirin
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
4 Tablespoons dashi
Red pepper flakes
White sesame seeds

Instructions:

1.  Wash burdock root and scrape off the thin, brown skin with back of knife. Cut into 2-inch (5 cm) matchsticks or grate burdock root with a large grater.

2.  Pare carrots and cut into strips of the same length and thickness as the burdock or shred with a large grater.

3.  If your sesame seeds are not already roasted, roast them in a dry skillet over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. When seeds begin to pop, transfer to a dry bowl.

4.  Drain burdock and pat dry with paper towel.

5.  Heat sesame oil in saucepan. Saute burdock and carrots over high heat. Add honey, mirin, soy sauce, and dashi and reduce heat to medium.
Cook until all liquid is absorbed. Add as much crushed red pepper flakes and sesame seeds as you want and mix well.

6.  Place in a bowl, arranging into a mound.

Note: You may use a peeler to pare the burdock instead of scraping with the back of a knife, but this removes the full flavor of the vegetable which lies just under the skin.

Adding pork strips will make the dish more zesty. Similar dishes can be prepared by substituting lotus root, potato, green pepper, or celery for the burdock.









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