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Moon
Noodles |
| Tsukimi literally means "viewing the moon," an allusion to the genteel Japanese pastime in autumn and to the whole raw egg in the center of the dish-a full moon surrounded by "clouds" of noodles. Often those newly introduced to Japanese food decline raw egg when it appears. If it is any comfort, raw egg in Japanese cuisine is often used in such a way that the heat of a dish cooks it lightly. If you break the yolk with chopsticks or fork, then mix the egg into the hot broth, the result is similar to egg-drop soup. Use either udon or soba noodles. |
| 4 servings 1 pound (450 g) dried udon noodles 4-5 cups noodle broth 1 cake karmaboko (fish paste) about 6 inches (15-cm) long (optional) 4 eggs 4 Tbsps finely chopped green onion seven-spice mixture (shichimi) or red pepper flakes (ichimi) |
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| To prepare: Boil dried noodles as directed on package. Wash well with the hands under cold water to remove surfacestarch. Drain well. Prepare noodle broth. Keep at a low simmer. If using kamaboko, cut into slices about ¼ inch (3/4 cm) thick. To assemble and serve: Reheat noodles by putting individual portions in a deep, handled sieve and immersing in boiling water until hot. Place noodles in warmed deep bowls. Ladle about 1 to 1¼ cups of hot noodle broth over each mound of noodles. If including kamaboko, arrange 2 or 3 slices at the side of the noodles in each bowl. With the back of a large spoon, make a nest in the center of the noodles in each bowl. Crack open an egg and gently drop the whole raw egg into the nest. Garnish with about 1 Tbsp finely chopped green onion. Serve immediately. Each diner may season to taste with seven-spice mixture (shichimi) or red pepper flakes (ichimi) . Best eaten with chopsticks, but fork and soup spoon work. |
| This recipe is from page 455 of Tsuji's Japanese Cooking. For more noodle recipes, try: Zaru Soba (Cold Soba Noodle) at http://www.seagull-ny.com/foods/recipe/zarusoba.html Yaki-Soba (Japanese-style Fried Noodle) at http://www.seagull-ny.com/foods/recipe/yakisoba.html Somen (Cold Noodle) at http://www.seagull-ny.com/foods/recipe/somen.html UDON RECIPES at http://www.japan-guide.com/r/e105.html How to cook Noodles at http://www.sofi-ny.com/mail_order/english/cook_e.htm |
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