Takikomi Gohan - Japanese Mixed Rice

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) Japanese short-grain rice 2 cups (400g) Japanese short-grain rice
• 2 1/2 cups (590ml) vegetable broth 2 1/2 cups (590ml) vegetable broth
• 1 carrot, diced 1 carrot, diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup (150g) mixed mushrooms (shiitake, shimeji, enoki), sliced 1 cup (150g) mixed mushrooms (shiitake, shimeji, enoki), sliced
• 1 cup (150g) seasonal vegetables (such as snap peas, corn, or green beans), chopped 1 cup (150g) seasonal vegetables (such as snap peas, corn, or green beans), chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine) 1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
• 1 tablespoon sake (Japanese rice wine) 1 tablespoon sake (Japanese rice wine)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish) 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish) Sesame seeds (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 2g, 0.3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 68g, 4g
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, combine the rice, vegetable broth, carrot, onion, mushrooms, seasonal vegetables, soy sauce, mirin, sake, sesame oil, and salt.
3. 3.
   Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.
4. 4.
   Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid has been absorbed.
5. 5.
   Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
6. 6.
   Fluff the rice gently with a fork, mixing in the vegetables and mushrooms.
7. 7.
   Serve the Takikomi Gohan hot, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Mushrooms — Make sure to clean the mushrooms thoroughly and slice them evenly for even cooking.
• Seasonal vegetables — Choose fresh and vibrant vegetables according to the season for the best flavor and texture.
• Japanese short-grain rice — Rinse the rice well to remove excess starch and achieve a fluffy texture.

Tips & Tricks

• For added umami flavor, you can add a small piece of kombu (dried kelp) to the cooking liquid.
• Customize the dish by adding your favorite proteins such as tofu, chicken, or shrimp.
• Use a rice cooker for foolproof results and perfectly cooked rice.
• Leftover Takikomi Gohan can be transformed into delicious fried rice the next day.
• Experiment with different combinations of vegetables and mushrooms to create your own unique version of Takikomi Gohan.

Serving advice

Serve Takikomi Gohan as a main dish accompanied by a simple miso soup and a side of pickled vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Present the Takikomi Gohan in a beautiful ceramic bowl, allowing the vibrant colors of the ingredients to shine through. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an added touch of elegance.