Nov 20, 2024

Hasegawa Akari's Fall Donabe Recipe: Potato Miso Butter Rice

Japanese culinary expert Hasegawa Akari shares a delightful recipe for potato takikomi gohan (Japanese mixed rice) cooked in a donabe, perfect for the autumn season. The key to this dish lies in the final touches: miso, butter, and coarsely ground black pepper. In Japan, it's quite common to pair butter with traditional seasonings like soy sauce or miso. A well-known example is "butter soy sauce rice," where freshly cooked rice is simply topped with butter and soy sauce.

When asked about the essential step in the recipe, Hasegawa explains, "Make sure to rinse the rice and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. During this time, the rice dries slightly and cracks on the surface, which helps it absorb the flavors of the salt and sake during cooking."

The glossy, perfectly steamed rice combined with tender potatoes beautifully complements the rich taste of miso butter. This simple yet flavorful takikomi gohan allows you to fully appreciate the harmony of ingredients and seasonings. Give it a try!

Ingredients

(Easy to make for 2–3 servings)

Rice: 2 cups
Potato: 130g (4.6 oz)
Water: 400ml (13.5 fl oz)
Sake: 3 tbsp
Salt: 1/2 tbsp
Miso: to taste
Butter: to taste
Coarsely ground black pepper: to taste

Step 1

Rinse the rice and let it drain in a sieve for at least 30 minutes. Peel the potato and cut it into quarters.

Step 2

Add the rice, water, sake, and salt to a clay pot, stirring briefly. Place the quartered potato on top.

Step 3

Cover with the lid and cook over slightly strong medium heat for about 3-5 minutes until it starts boiling. Then, reduce to low-medium heat and cook for 15 minutes.

Step 4

Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let it steam for 10 minutes.

Step 5

Remove the potato and gently fluff the rice.

Step 6

Serve the rice in bowls, place the potato on top, and finish with miso, butter, and coarsely ground black pepper as toppings. Enjoy!

Hasegawa Akari

Akari Hasegawa, a chef and dietitian, transitioned from being a child actor to studying nutrition in college. She gained fame in 2022 with her recipes on social media and has since become a popular influencer, contributing to magazines, websites, and cooking events.