Discover Japanese Food #2: Atsuko's "Kinpira" (THE EAST Campaign in Association with Atsuko’s Kitchen)

On a sunny day, why not take a bento (lunch box) to have a picnic in the park. Kinpira is a style of dish using crunchy vegetables and basic Japanese seasonings. It’s a great idea for your bento box, as it’s a simple and quickly cooked dish. Renkon is the rhizome of the lotus plant which grows in muddy water. It is full of fibre and vitamin B12 which helps absorb iron. You could also make this dish with other types of root vegetable. You could use parsnips or salad potatoes, or celery to give a crispy texture. Renkon can be found fresh, vacuum packed, or frozen, from Asian supermarkets. It is very important not cook it too long, as it will lose its texture.

*Ingredients

300g renkon (lotus roots)

1 carrot

1 age (fried tofu)

Seasonings:1 tbsp sesame oil

2 tsp sugar

2 tbsp mirin

3 tbsp shoyu (dark soy sauce)

1 taka no tsume (chilli pepper)

A little of sesame seeds (ground)

*Method

1. Slice the renkon and carrots into thin round slices (If you use fresh renkon you need to soak it in vinegar and water for 10 mins, then strain it. This will remove any bitter taste and stop the colour from darkening).

2. Wash the age in boiling water. Squeeze the excess water from the age, and dice.

3. Remove the seeds from the chilli and slice as thinly as possible.

4. Heat the frying pan, add the sesame oil.

5. Fry the renkon and carrots. When the oil coats all the vegetables then add sugar, mirin, 2 tbsp of shoyu. Sprinkle chilli over the pan, seasoning evenly.

6. Add 1/3 cup of water, bring it to the boil. Cover with lid.

7. Reduce the heat to medium, simmer for 4 mins.

8. Take the lid off, add 1tbsp of shoyu then increase the heat until liquid has evaporated.

9. Serve it with the sprinkled ground sesame to give some aroma.

* Next Recipe will be “DASHIMAKI TAMAGO” (which is egg roll in the bento box)

About Atsuko

Atsuko is from Kyushu, the southernmost of the four main Japanese islands. Kyushu is an island rich in agriculture, with an abundance of fresh local produce, and a reputation for good food. Ceramics are another famous export, with fine porcelains from Arita, Imari, Satsuma, and Karatsu being recognised worldwide. Atsuko's dishes are inspired by her mother and grandmother, whose love of cooking with traditional techniques has been a great influence. Although there are many instant stocks and flavourings available to simplify Japanese cooking, Atsuko prefers to make these herself, recreating the delicate and subtle flavours that can only be obtained through traditional methods. Now based in London, Atsuko has been sharing her knowledge of Japanese cooking with a series of courses which introduce some of the family favourites, as well as the use of the five main ingredients - salt, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, and miso. These form the basis of almost all Japanese dishes, and learning the correct methods is the key to understanding Japanese cuisine. The classes are informal and hands-on, resembling more a dinner party with friends than a classroom lesson. There's no fancy sushi on the menu, just everyday home style favourites you might find on the table in any Japanese household. The course is comprised of 5 classes held over a 5 week period. Individual and group lessons are also available.

For information on Atsuko’s courses, visit:http://www.atsukoskitchen.com/

A Veteran's impressions of the 'Miracle on the Han'

Date: Wednesday 10th June 2009, 6pm
Venue: Multi-purpose Hall, The Korean Cultural Centre UKGrand Buildings, 1 -3 Strand, London. WC2N 5BW
Speaker: Mike Swindells

*Addmission Free (booking required):
info@kccuk.org.uk or 020 7004 2600
** A drinks reception will follow this lecture

A tank Troop Leader in Korea in 1951-52 and now President of the British Korean Veterans Association, General Mike Swindells will give his impressions of living and fighting in a country ravaged by war. He recently visited the Republic of South Korea with a party of Veterans, generously hosted by the Korean Government. His talk, which will be illustrated, will describe the feelings of those who served in Korea in the early 1950s, who were impressed, not only by the transformation of the country, but also by the touching gratitude shown by everyone towards those who fought in a war which took place nearly 60 years ago.

Biography
Mike Swindells was born in Cheshire on 15th January 1930. He was educated at Rugby School, called up for National Service in 1948 and commissioned into the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards in 1949. On release he spent a short time in the textile industry but rejoined the Skins when they were warned for service in Korea. The Regiment sailed in the MV Georgic arriving at Pusan in early December 1951.
The Skins relieved the 8th Hussars and took over their Centurion tanks. The line had stabilised on the 38th Parallel and peace talks had commenced at Panmunjon. As a Lieutenant he commanded a troop of four tanks deployed with, and in support of, British and Australian Infantry Battalions of the Commonwealth Division.
The Regiment handed over to the 1st Royal Tank Regiment in December 1952 and spent a further year on active service based at Shandur on the Suez canal before returning to the United Kingdom in 1954. He was Adjutant of the Cheshire Yeomanry from 1954 to 1957, attended the Staff College in 1960 and subsequently served with the 'Skins' in Germany, Aden and Cyprus and in staff appointments in Singapore, Brunei and back in Germany as Brigade Major 7th Armoured Brigade.
In 1969 he was appointed to command the 9th/12th Royal Lancers after which he served on the Directing Staff at the Army Staff College Camberley, commanded 11th Armoured Brigade with its Headquarters at Minden in Germany and attended the Royal College of Defence Studies.
On promotion to the rank of Major General, he served as Chief of the Joint Services Liaison Organisation in Bonn from 1980 to 1982 and in a Joint Service post in the Defence Intelligence Staff until his retirement from active service in 1985.
He was Controller of the Army Benevolent Fund from 1987 until 1998 and during this time was also Colonel of the 9th/12th Lancers 1990 - 1995 and National Chairman of the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association 1991 - 1996.
Now fully retired, he and his wife Prue live in Devizes. Their two daughters are reasonably close in Somerset and Bath. He was invited to become President of the British Korean Veterans Association in 2006 and in April 2007 took part in the Revisit Programme hosted by the Korean Veterans Association. He is a member of the Royal Society for Asian Affairs, enjoys travel and living in the country.