✦ What a Wonderful World ✦: Happy Hinamatsuri, Girls' Day

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Happy Hinamatsuri, Girls' Day

The gorgeous festival ended all too soon. When you're enjoying yourself, the time seems to fly by. Ah, somehow I still miss the day...

March 3rd was Girls' Day in Japan. The day is called Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival) and on this day we wish and pray for the future happiness of all girls.

Families who have girls display their special Hina Dolls (Hina Ningyo) on this special occasion. When a baby girl is born, her parents or grandparents buy a set of Hina Ningyo or they pass their own set down to the girl.

These dolls are dressed in costumes originally worn in the royal court during ancient times and are displayed on a terraced stand.

In addition to the doll display, the Japanese also eat some special food and sweets on this day. Typical examples are as follows:

✦ Amazake (sweet drink)

✦ Hina Arare (sweet colorful rice cracker)

✦ Chirashizushi (one style of Sushi)

This time, I made unusual Chirashizushi; it was my first try.

Nanako's Chirashizushi Recipe

1. Steam rice with dried kelp.

2. Prepare sushi rice vinegar: mix juice from grapefruits, sugar and salt well.

3. Cook the rice and let stand for 10 minutes. Add to a bowl with the rice vinegar and mix well.

Point: gently flip the rice in between slices. Repeat this process till rice is cooled.

4. Keep the rice covered with a damp towel until ready to use.

5. Toppings:

• Avocado
• Tuna
• White radish sprouts
• Sweet shrimps
• Snow peas
• Seafood sticks

6. After seasoning them with soy sauce, salt and juice from grapefruits, put them on to the sushi rice.

Here, it's done!

I really enjoyed making Chirashizushi; it was a totally a new experience for me. So what should I make for next Hinamatsuri dinner? Please let me know if you have any good ideas.

Bread is better than the songs of birds. :-D