We Tried Cooking Your Favorite Food From Anime

On this week's episode the OAS team goes all in and tries to recreate your favorite dishes from Anime. Notably the team worked on an appetizer/snack dish, and a full meal. Listen in on each dish's significance in anime and Japenese culture, as well as thr process on bringing these dishes from 2D to real life!

Mitarashi Dango

Description:

• Rice flour dumplings that are skewered onto sticks in groups of 3–5 and covered with a sweet soy sauce glaze.

Preparation:

• Form glutinous rice flour and water into balls, then drop them into boiling water until they float. Dress/cover with desired toppings.

Anime Reference:

• Toriko: In this anime, Toriko, a Gourmet Hunter, searches for rare and diverse foods to complete a full-course meal. The Mitarashi Dango Planet (みたらし団子星 Mitarashi Dango Boshi) is a collection of edible skewered planets resembling mitarashi dango, seen as they leave Earth.
• Demon Slayer: ⁠Mitarashi Dango in Demon Slayer⁠.

History:

• Originally, dumplings were used as offerings for gods in shrines.
• During the 13th - 14th century, the Japanese emperor visualized dango while purifying himself and used this image to create offerings for the gods.
• Earliest written record dates back to the Heian period (794-1185).

Cultural Significance:

• Hanami: During the sakura (cherry blossom) season, people enjoy picnics under the trees, often serving dango.
• Hinamatsuri: Also known as Girls' Day or Doll's Day, celebrated on March 3rd in Japan, where dango is a popular treat.

Anpan

Description:

• A Japanese pastry filled with sweet red bean paste.

History:

• First created by Yasubei Kimura, a former samurai turned baker, who founded Bun'eido bakery in 1871.
• Considered one of the “seven tools for the opening of civilization” in Japan, alongside newspapers, postal service, and gas lamps.

Japanese Style Curry

Description:

• Curry served over rice, udon noodles, or as curry bread.

Ingredients:

• Basic vegetables: onions, carrots, and potatoes.
• Popular meats: beef, pork, and chicken.

Preparation:

• Curry sauce is made by frying curry powder, flour, and oil to make roux, then adding it to stewed meat and vegetables, simmering until thickened.
• Recipe: Japanese Curry Recipe.

History:

• Introduced to Japan by the British from India during the Meiji Restoration (1868–1889).
• Became popular in Japanese households in the early 20th century.

Additional References:

• Japanese Curry on Wikipedia.
• Curry in Anime Culinary.

Apple Risotto

History:

• Originated in the 16th century in northern Italy (regions like Lombardy, Piedmont, and Veneto).
• Tied to the history of rice in Italy, introduced by the Arabs during the Middle Ages.
• The Mediterranean's humidity was ideal for growing shorter-grained rices.
• Created as "Risotto alla Milanese" using slow-cooking techniques combined with local rice.

Episode Reference:

• Season 1, Episode 16: Soma vs. his father.