Thursday, January 26, 2012

Ochazuke: rice patties in a green tea broth

Breakfast: A blackberry vega smoothie

Lunch: California salad

Dinner: Ochazuke: rice patties in a green tea broth


It's not often that you can eat out for $4 in these days, but there is, in fact, one place left in the world where you can get a fantastic, filling meal for under a fiver.

Manpuku.

This Japanese eatery near OCAD in Toronto is a new favourite of mine, and serves this rice and green tea dish for $3.99. Ochazuke actually refers to any dish with rice and green tea, though a variety of toppings can be added. Manpuku shape their rice patties into triangles and fry them, as I did here, but if you're looking for a slightly easy meal you can forego this step.

You'll need:
(Feeds 2)
1 1/2 cups sushi rice
2 cups water
2 spring onions, thinly chopped
1 cup mushrooms, thinly chopped
1/2 a sheet of nori, sliced thinly
sesame oil
strong sencha green tea
black sesame seeds
chili powder

Method:
Bring the sushi rice to the boil in the water, then cover and reduce to a simmer until fully cooked
Allow to cool with the lid still on. The rice should be a little moist rather than dry
Fry the mushrooms in a very small amount of sesame oil for 4 minutes then set aside
Voluntary: Divide the cooked rice into 4 sections and place each section onto a piece of cling film / Saran Wrap
Voluntary: Compact each portion of rice into a tight triangle using the cling film, pressing together as much as possible
Voluntary: Fry a little more seasame oil in the frying pan, heat on high then toss each rice triangle in, browning on each side quickly before placing into a bowl
Cover the rice with the sencha green tea then top with the mushrooms, shredded nori and sesame seeds
Top with a pinch of chili powder and serve, topping up with green tea as necessary

This is a surprisingly satisfying meal that leaves you filled up with a nice balance of taste. Frying the rice takes a little time to perfect, but even without frying this meal is impressive enough to serve to friends and seriously delicious. Give it a try!

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