Fasting DishesJapanese RichardObradovic Aug 22, 2025 48
Site avg: 4.5 / 5 Total votes: 10
Description
Silky, gently sweet kabocha simmered in a clear soy–mirin broth — minimal ingredients, maximum comfort 🍶✨. A temple-style, naturally meat-free classic that melts in the mouth and calms the spirit.
Ingredients
🎃 Kabocha squash: 800 g (1.8 lb), seeded, cut into 4–5 cm (1½–2 in) chunks, skin on
💧 Kombu dashi: 400 ml (1⅔ cups / 13.5 fl oz)
🧂 Soy sauce: 30 ml (2 tbsp / 1 fl oz)
🍯 Mirin: 30 ml (2 tbsp / 1 fl oz)
🍬 Sugar (or maple syrup): 12 g (1 tbsp / 0.4 oz)
🍶 Sake (optional): 15 ml (1 tbsp / 0.5 fl oz)
🧂 Pinch of salt
🌿 Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
1️⃣ Trim tough edges of the skin on each kabocha piece (helps it cook evenly and absorb flavor).
2️⃣ In a wide pot, combine dashi, soy, mirin, sugar, and sake (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer.
3️⃣ Add kabocha skin-side down in a single layer. Cover with an otoshibuta (parchment/foil paper lid) and simmer 12–15 min until just tender.
4️⃣ Remove from heat, keep covered, and rest 5 min to absorb the broth.
5️⃣ Serve warm with a spoonful of cooking liquid; sprinkle sesame seeds if desired.
Total Time
🕒 Prep: 10 minutes
🔥 Cook: 15 minutes
⏳ Total: 25 minutes
Nutritional Value
🔋 Energy: 130 kcal
💪 Protein: 2 g
🧈 Fat: 0.5 g
🍞 Carbohydrates: 30 g
🧂 Sodium: 520 mg
Advice
Use a paper lid (otoshibuta) so the pieces stay submerged and don’t break; leave the skin on — it keeps shape and adds color 🌈.
Status
Pure Zen in a bowl — Kabocha 🎃 Nimono is softly sweet, gentle, and deeply soothing. Perfect for mindful, meat-free nights. #grannyzen #kabocha #nimono #japanesecuisine #plantbased
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5.0 / 50 votes
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