In Japan, it is customary to eat a seven-herb porridge for breakfast called Nanakusagayu (七草がゆ) on January 7th, when the New Year celebrations end. This custom seems to have started during the Edo period.
The tradition comes from China, where there was a custom of eating freshly picked herbs at the beginning of the new year. It is believed that eating them on January 7th brings good luck, health and helps to ward off evil from the body and prevent diseases. In addition, it is a healthy and natural meal that provides many vitamins and energy. Generally, these herbs or kits containing the 7 herbs (Hotokeza, Gogyou, Suzuna, Seri, Suzuhiro, Nazuna and Hakobera) are sold in all supermarkets in Japan on this day.
Nanakusa means 7 herbs and Kayu/Gayu means porridge in Japanese.
Japanese Seven Herbs Porridge Dish
Ingredients
- 1 cup of white rice.
- 1 serving of nanakusa (kit bought at the supermarket).
- 1 and a half teaspoons of salt.
- 1 serving of black and white sesame seeds.
How to prepare
- Wash the rice.
- Cook the rice with 900 ml of water over high heat.
- When it starts to boil, lower the heat to low and cook for 30 minutes.
- If you notice that it is spilling, move the lid of the pan slightly.
- In a separate pan, boil the water and dip the 7 herbs in it, then remove them.
- About 5 minutes before the rice porridge is ready, add the salt and stir.
- Add the chopped herbs and stir well.
- Wait until it is finished cooking.
- Serve in bowls, covered with black and white sesame seeds.