Tuesday, January 22, 2008

daikan

Last May, Nate sent me a foodie care package filled with goji berries, mayo (Best Foods) and several packets for his herbal chicken soup.

Summer was way too hot to make soup, so I finally made some last night. On the Japanese calendar, January 21st was daikan (literally large cold) which translates to the coldest day. So, what a better way to warm up than with some soup.

I put several pieces of chicken with the skins on, into some water, added the packet contents brought everything to a boil with a nub of ginger and some spinach, then simmered it for one hour.

I added some salt and pepper to taste and then threw in a handful of goji berries at the end.

Then with a fork, I picked out the skin of the chicken (otherwise Satoshi won't eat the soup) and then shredded the chicken. My version didn't come out as soupy as Nate's still, it was a nice, comforting way to warm up on a near freezing night.

Thanks Nate!

10 comments:

  1. It's been pretty windy in Hawaii this weekend, that looks like a great bowl of soup I could curl up with in bed. :)

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  2. Thanks Jenny! I hope you get a bowl of soup to warm up with :)

    Take care.
    Kat

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  3. Just a matter of putting more water initially or while simmering. Putting in initially really brings out the flavors.

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  4. You think they sell goji berries in Hawaii? I'm working on a list of things that I'd like to bring back from the islands. Again, so nice of Nate to send you a care package!

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  5. I'll try putting more water the next time, Nate. I like this soup though it is very delicious!

    Rowena, I think goji berries are the "in-food", or so it was the last time I was home anyway. I think you should be able to find it pretty easily. Nate sends me bacon and I send him beer :)

    Take care you two.
    Kat

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  6. rowena - I get the goji berries from Chinatown in Hawaii. Cheap. That quart zip-loc bag in Kat's picture is a quarter of the bag I brought back.

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  7. Sounds like a very comforting soup. I just tried dried gojis for the first time a few months ago. I can imagine they would be good as a soup topping - adding a little bright note.

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  8. The dried gojis plumped up with the soup and added a little sweetness to the soup, Jenndz. I hope you try it in some of your cooking.

    Take care.
    Kat

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  9. One of my children loves Best Foods mayo so much that his best mates Mum used to keep a jar in her fridge just for him.

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  10. That is so nice Barbara! I grew up on Best Foods and really miss it sometimes.

    Take care.
    Kat

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