e-Learning: Easy & Simple Holiday / Osechi cooking with chicken: Matsukaze-yaki & Yawata-maki

Presented by Momiji / JSS 

Wed. Nov 22, 2023, 3:00 – 4:00 pm (in Japanese)

The second online seminar (via Zoom) of Nov 2023 is to learn about Osechi cooking with chicken. Join us and explore the classic osechi dishes! *Held in Japanese-only

What is this session about?

The season to start planning for holiday meals and Osechi (New Year’s feast) once Thanksgiving is over. Our online cooking series has featured eggs (Dashi-maki & Date-maki) and Chikuzen-ni in past as Osechi items. This time, we are tackling all three aspects many of our audience wish: (1) enjoyable to those who are not used to THE JAPANESE, can enjoy, (2) using easy-to-access ingredients, and (3) simple & easy!! Tomoko Takinami (who has been home-cooking and raised family) will introduce two Osechi items, which are not only great for gatherings but also perfect as bento items!

1^st Item:  Matsukaze-yaki (aka. Noshi-dori)

The origin of the name is at the Noh (traditional theatrical art) number “Matsukaze.” In this story, a haiku poem “Lonely at the beach (“ura”) with only wind through pain trees (matzukaze)” written by a female character, Matsukaze. With pun, this was taken as “back side (“ura”) has nothing.” This dish is coated with sesame/poppy seeds on the surface, but it has nothing on the back, symbolizing “having no hidden agenda = being honest.” It carries the sentiment of “living the year without wrongdoing and living an honest life.” There is also a theory that it is originated by the Kyoto confectionery “Matsukaze”, as it is thin and similarly seed-coated only on the surface. In this session, you will learn how to cook it in both an oven and a toaster. It is surprisingly easy to make, and you can freeze them.

2^nd Item:  Yawata-maki

The origin of Kyoto’s “Yawata-maki” is a local dish where burdock (regional specialty) is rolled with eel or pond loach, coated with a sweet and savory sauce. This style of “rolling vegetables with meat or fish” has spread throughout country. The original star, burdock, is considered as a symbol of health, longevity, and prosperity due to its ability to withstand harsh conditions by rooting deeply in the earth. However, for those who has no access to burdock or who do not prefer it, this recipe uses carrots and green beans colourfully instead. This session starts with deboning chicken thighs, and does not use cooking string. It is freezable after rolling – convenient to prepare them in advance.

As the current inflation affecting grocery costs, we picked chicken thighs (buying bones&skin-in) and ground chicken, that are relatively budget-friendly and can be prepared in advance. Consider adding them to your holiday or Osechi this year!

Instructor:  Tomoko Takinami (JSS Hot Lunch program volunteer lead)

How to Attend

Anyone interested can attend but pre-registration required. Click the registration button below, and fill and submit it by two days before the session date (Mon, Nov 20). If you have difficulty using online registration system, feel free to contact the hosting agency.

（Registration Form will open from the button above）

Those who registered, will receive an invitation email with the Zoom link and ID/Passcode, by a day before the session date from the hosting organizations. Check your junk box if you can’t find it in your inbox – Email us if you don’t see it anywhere.

【Caution!】

1. Auto-email (to confirm what you filled) right after registration

You will receive a confirmation email from the system right after you “Submit” your form (this receipt does not contain the Zoom URL). Make sure to type correct email of yours. If you don’t see it, check your junk folder first, then contact JSS / Momiji.

2. Your Zoom display name should be recognizable to the host

Upon joining, please display your name on Zoom in ways we recognize that you registered. For example, instead of using nicknames or initials, include your first and/or last (e.g. Hanako Y, H. Yamada, Hanako Yamada) . We may not be able to allow you to enter for security purposes if we can’t recognize your name. We’ll show you how to change the display name 5 minutes before the session start.

※Contact JSS/Momiji if you don’t know how to change your Zoom display name.

Contact

• Momiji Health Care Society（Chie）：416-261-6683 x.249 / ciw@momiji.on.ca
• Japanese Social Services (JSS) (Rumiko）：416-385-9200 / programs@jss.ca

Zoom – First Time?

If this is the first time you are trying out Zoom, we are more than happy to help you out with downloading and using Zoom, while connecting with you via phone. Please contact us as soon as possible, to book your practice session. *Availability may be limited depending on the number of requests.

**Please note that we most likely can’t help you connecting Zoom on the day of the seminar due to limited staffing. We encourage you to book us for the separate practice prior to the seminar date.

This eLearning series is:

• • Provided by：Momiji Health Care Society、 Japanese Social Services (JSS)
  • supported by Shinobu Yajima (Halton Japanese Senior Lunch Group), Family Talks Forum (FTF)