Just a real quick post for New Years! I'll be busy making Nishime(Vegetable Stew) and other dishes this evening. Then will gorge myself silly, take a short nap, watch some DVD. Around midnight, I'll walk outside into the front yard(hopefully it won't rain), and take my first deep breath of the New Year. I'll then walk back in the house and have some Soba, and other stuff.
Of course I had to do some shopping this morning, and stopped by the two nearby Japanese Markets; Nijiya and Mitsuwa. I managed to snap a few quick photos of some Osechi.
Osechi are Japanese New Year "food", and most of the items are very symbolic. Usually Osechi-ryori are sold in lacquer or similar type boxes called "Jubako".
Prices can range from $25 up to over $150. And many of them will sell out by the early afternoon of New Years eve. Many off the items included in these boxes represent good health and prosperity for the New Year. Don't know about that; I've had my share of Osechi-ryori, and I don't really think I've gotten any more prosperous, healthy, taller, or anything else. But why take chances?
Some of the items found in these boxes are:
Kamabuko - The standard Red and White steamed fishcake.
Kuromame - Sweetened black soybeans.
Kazunoko - Herring Roe. Here's an really great article.
Shrimp - Represents long life.
Some type of Tamago - Either Dashi-maki, or Date-maki(sweet) omelette.
And many more items. Even the Nishime that I'll be making:
Looks a heck of alot prettier then my version for sure.
I'd like to send out our sincere wishes for a Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
Have a very happy New Year!
Posted by: Joanne | Saturday, 31 December 2005 at 12:20 PM
Hi Kirk, Happy Happy New Year!
Posted by: thess | Saturday, 31 December 2005 at 03:00 PM
Kirk,
I doubt that the one in the store will taste as good as you homemade Nishime, and post a picture of it, an I am sure it will look better!
Posted by: milgwimper | Saturday, 31 December 2005 at 03:18 PM
Happy New Year Kirk!!!!!
Posted by: lance | Saturday, 31 December 2005 at 05:57 PM
Hi Kirk!!!
I have the same "custom" as you too to take a deep breath in of the New Year. :)I don't know if you think it wierd but I make sure I time it too to exhale some of 2005 before I breathe in 2006. I believe it helps me remember where I've been before taking in where I have yet to be. If it makes any sense to you :P
That was a really interesting post about the new year foods. The closest thing we have in Singapore ( and I believe malaysia and possibly HK) is during chinese new year, we have this thing called "loh yu sang" (lucky raw fish salad) there are about 8 ingredients including sashimi each with some significance and they include shredded carrot and radish, peanuts,candied gingier strips etc. Everyone sits around the table, gets their chopsticks and tosses it together, the higher the better and says "lucky" things for the CNY.
Anyway I would love to see your Nishime. It will be wonderful and tasty I'm sure.
Posted by: Rachel | Saturday, 31 December 2005 at 06:01 PM
Thank you for the kind wishes Kirk, Happy New Year to you, the Missus, and the Boys too!
Posted by: Passionate Eater | Saturday, 31 December 2005 at 08:38 PM
Happy New Year!!!
Posted by: clare eats | Saturday, 31 December 2005 at 10:53 PM
happy new year to you and your family!
Posted by: santos. | Sunday, 01 January 2006 at 05:52 AM
Happy New Year Kirk and everyone!
Posted by: elmomonster | Sunday, 01 January 2006 at 09:11 AM
Happy New Year, Kirk, to you, the Missus, and the Boys! May you have many days and nights of happy eating in the coming year!
Posted by: Barbara Fisher | Sunday, 01 January 2006 at 12:01 PM
Hi Joanne - Happy New Year!
Hi Thess - Hope your New Year will be the best!
Hi Rachel - I'll go ahead and post the Nishime tomrrow. I think all Nationalities have their own New Year specialties!
Hi PE - Happy New Year!
Hi Clare - I'm sure it's a great New Year with Kiri back!
Hi santos - Best wishes for you as well!
Hi Elmo - Happy New Year, looking forward to all your "Monsterous" food posts this year!
Hi Barbara - Happy New Year to you and your Family!
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 01 January 2006 at 08:22 PM
Happy new year, Kirk! I hope you find lots of great restaurants next year (and that you tell us all about them).
My new year's meal was hot pot. Just the thing for a rainy winter night.
Posted by: howie | Sunday, 01 January 2006 at 10:49 PM
Hey Kirk,
Lots of happiness, good health, prosperity and GOOD EATS to you, the Missus & the Boyz in 2006! Happy New Year!
Posted by: Pam | Monday, 02 January 2006 at 08:43 PM
Hi Howie - We also had Hot Pot recently! Our best wishes for the New Year to You!
Hi Pam - Happy New Year!
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 02 January 2006 at 09:34 PM
Hi Lance - Sorry; I missed you! Happy New Year!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 03 January 2006 at 07:05 AM
Hi Kirk,
Sorry I'm late with this, but I hope you and the missus had a fabulous New Years!
Posted by: Reid | Wednesday, 04 January 2006 at 08:30 PM
No problemo Reid - Happy New Year to you as well!
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 04 January 2006 at 10:09 PM