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.