How to Cook Fresh Bamboo Shoots (Takenoko Akunuki)

In addition to sakura, springtime is the season for fresh bamboo shoots, or takenoko, in Kyoto. Asahori, or ‘dug up early this morning’ is common to see on signs and labels in the stores. Even though takenoko is very fresh, it still must be precooked to remove the harsh astringency from the young and tender shoot. How…
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Nukazuke Report: Nanohana Nukazuke

Nanohana (Rape Blossom) Nukazuke 菜の花ぬか漬け Nanohana (Rape Blossom) Nukazuke 菜の花ぬか漬け
Homemade nukazuke is turning out to be one of my all time favorite foodie discoveries! I cannot stop! I have been pickling springtime vegetables like kokabura (baby turnip), uri and nanohana (rape blossom) in my nuka pot the last few weeks and having great fun.…
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How to Make Nukazuke: Pickling Vegetables

How to Make Nukazuke: Pickling Hinona Turnips 日野菜蕪 ぬか漬け How to Make Nukazuke: Pickling Hinona Turnips 日野菜かぶ ぬか漬け
Nukazuke Report: Our nukadoko pickling bed started to get pungent, I knew it was time to pickle our first vegetables. I chose hinona, a traditional vegetable from neighboring Shiga prefecture. It is a very long and narrow turnip.…
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How to Make Nukazuke: Fermenting Nukadoko

How to Make Nukazuke: Fermenting the Nukadoko (Nuka Bed) ぬか床の発酵 How to Make Nukazuke: Fermenting the Nukadoko (Nuka Bed) ぬか床の発酵
Nukazuke Report: Our nukadoko is coming along well. The season is cold now so fermenting took some time. I added half a can of Japan’s best beer: Yona Yona Ale and kept the pickle pot warmish for a few days. We added a lot of turnip greens, not to eat…
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How to Make Nukazuke: Nukadoko Pickling Bed

How to Make Nukazuke: Nukadoko (Nuka Bed) ぬか床の作り方 How to Make Nukazuke: Nukadoko (Nuka Bed) ぬか床の作り方
We have some favorite shops in Kyoto for nukazuke tsukemono pickles but really wanted to be able to make our own at home. Traditionally every household in Japan made their own pickles, still many do. Nukazuke is quick and easy to make once you have a pickling pot full of fermenting ‘…
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