I finally convinced Hideaki to made dinner tonight. He is a good cook but has been too busy since we moved to really make anything, except for the occasional batch of scrambled eggs (which are always fluffy and perfect). I requested nabeyaki udon (udon noodles cooked in a pot with chicken and vegetables), and that's what I got.
These are the ingredients waiting to be cooked- pre-boiled udon noodles are added to a nabe (earthenware pot) and topped with chingensai (bok choy); abura-age (thin sheets of deep-fried tofu); and shiitake and maitake mushrooms. If you have the equipment it's best to have one small pot per person, but we just do it in one pot.
Next, the stock is added. Hideaki had made dashi (Japanese stock made from kelp and bonito flakes) from scratch, which is a first for him, and flavoured it with sake, soy sauce and mirin (sweet cooking sake). To this he added browned chunks of chicken thigh, and let it all simmer to flavour the chicken. And when it was done he cracked an egg into the nabe, added the cooked chicken, and poured in the stock.
The nabe was brought to the table to simmer on the konro (portable gas range). While it was cooking Hideaki sauteed some swordfish steaks, which we ate with hot sake (in the tiny cup on the right).
When the nabeyaki udon was finally ready, it was spooned into bowls and eaten piping-hot. It was so delicious and hearty and warming, and by the time we were done we had shed half of our clothes and turned off the heater.
And best of all- he prepared two batches, so we can do this all over again tomorrow. We both have busy days planned, and the weather report says it's going to be cold, so this will be something to look forward to.
Yum! That looks fantastic. My dinner is going to be very unsatisfactory now.
Posted by: suzy | 2006.01.23 at 07:13 PM
That looks great...was it his punishment for "losing" the snowman building contest??
Posted by: Kat & Satoshi | 2006.01.23 at 09:49 PM
Amy;
Hmmmmm...looks yummy. We're having a bit of ice and snow today and it would be so wonderful to have that udon right now!!!!!! Lucky you....
Posted by: Carlyn | 2006.01.23 at 11:51 PM
Hi Amy - Looks fab! And dashi from scratch; that does take a bit of effort. How nice.
Posted by: Kirk | 2006.01.24 at 01:38 AM
Mmm...tell Hideaki that he's welcome to come to my house anytime and make us some nabeyaki udon anytime. I'm drooling over here in Minnesota. I think that means it's time for lunch!
Posted by: Dasha | 2006.01.24 at 03:32 AM
Thanks for the comments- I'm going to make my husband read them all, and hope it encourages him to cook more often!
Posted by: Amy | 2006.01.24 at 11:30 PM
Hi there--
That looks GOOD! I wish we had thin sheets of fried tofu here in San Diego... or maybe we do...I'll have to check Ranch 99...would they be in the refrigerated section? And I've never had boy choy (I will!), but if there's a more beautiful vegetable, I've yet to see it...
I just discovered your blog at foodpornwatch...
Posted by: Lisa--In a Nutshell | 2006.01.25 at 01:00 AM
Looks nice! I really like your donabe. Chingensai in udon is a new combination to me. Good idea :D
Posted by: obachan | 2006.01.25 at 04:09 PM
Lisa, bok choy should be fairly easy to find, and I'm sure you can find abura-age in a Japanese or Asian market, in the refrigerated section.
Obachan, I bought that nabe just after I got married, it was the first one I saw in the first shop I looked. I had no idea there were so many styles to choose from, but somehow I was lucky- I really like this one and if it ever breaks I want to buy one just like it.
Posted by: Amy | 2006.01.26 at 10:49 AM
Oh my goodness !
I definitely so love your blog ! Such a bowl of fresh japanese scents and flavors...
I miss this country so much. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to virtually travel back there almost once a day ;)
I didn't learn all I had to learn from these people and culture and I'm so grateful to the internet for that... and to you off course ! You lucky girl !
I'm reading your adventures since a little while now but I couldn't remain silent further on.
What a wonderful experience to find love in a different country than your birth country..;
I'm sometimes jealous of all these men and women in loving-exile... lol ;)
This nabeyaki udon seems so delicious it makes me wanna cook one !
So I'm going to pick up the recipe of your husband even though I don't have the pot and the portable gas...
Thank you very much !
Ciao !
Posted by: Thalie | 2006.02.10 at 07:29 PM
Guess what I'm having for dinner tonight!
Wonderful dish, one of my favorite comfort foods, beautiful presentation.
Well done!
Posted by: Polachan | 2006.03.03 at 05:01 AM