Kampo Pharmacist Ai Okubo's "Food & Medicine Recipes" to Revitalize Your Cells - December Edition
[December 2023]
Mineral-rich oysters to soothe mind and body fatigue
This month, the amount of things you want to do and need to do far outweighs the time available. The key is how to overcome stress and maintain stamina while increasing momentary concentration. As it's also a time for more dining out, it's important to balance hearty meals with nourishing ones, recover from fatigue, and build a body resistant to stress and cold.
As the winter solstice approaches, daylight hours shorten, and winter-specific ailments increase. Let's replenish our nutrition with food medicine to finish 2023 in good health. This time, we'll introduce nutritious recipes perfect for home parties.
◆Key Ingredients this Month
Oysters
Among all ingredients, oysters contain top-level amounts of minerals such as zinc, magnesium, and iron, as well as B vitamins and essential amino acids, making them a medicinal food that supports both mind and body. They can supplement all the nutrients necessary for mental and physical well-being and youthfulness, involving the autonomic nervous system, adrenal glands, and mitochondria. Let's make an effort to eat them.
◆Recipe Introduction
Curry-flavored oyster ajillo to combat cold and aid digestion
This ajillo is like a supplement, combining oysters rich in minerals and B vitamins with ingredients that enhance their absorption—allicin and vitamin C—and those that support intestinal health, all simmered in oil.
→Watch the video for instructions
Ingredients
Oysters about 6
Mushrooms 1 pack (about 10)
Garlic 2 cloves
Paprika 1/2
Olive oil 150ml
Curry powder 1/2 teaspoon
Salt to taste (a generous amount)
Instructions
① Slice the garlic, cut the paprika into bite-sized pieces, and halve the mushrooms.
② Sauté and simmer ① in olive oil until tender.
③ Add the prepared oysters, curry powder, and salt. Mix well and it's done.
Point
* Bell peppers or broccoli can be used instead of paprika for a delicious alternative.
* For preparing oysters, coat them with potato starch and gently rub them in enough water to submerge them; this will result in plump oysters.
Nutrient and umami-packed in one dish!
Easy Oyster and Shrimp Bouillabaisse
This bouillabaisse combines highly nutritious ingredients and deepens the umami, so it tastes great with just salt. It's a perfect hot pot for parties, allowing you to enjoy the rich flavors of seafood.
→Watch the video for instructions
Ingredients
Oysters 6 pieces
Head-on shrimp 5 pieces
Cod 1 fillet
Clams 100g
Dried shrimp 2 tablespoons
Onion 1
Garlic 2 cloves
Celery 1 stalk
Canned tomatoes 1/2 can
Sake 100ml
Water 300ml
Thyme about 3 sprigs
Olive oil to taste
Salt to taste
Instructions
① Prepare the oysters, peel the shrimp except for the heads and tails, and remove the veins with a fork. Cut the cod into bite-sized pieces. Soak the clams to remove sand.
② Dice the onion, slice the garlic, and cut the celery into 3 cm pieces.
③ Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until tender. Add the cod and sear both sides.
④ Add all remaining ingredients and simmer for about 10 minutes. Done.
Point
* Finely chopping and adding the celery leaves will enhance the flavor.
* Basil can be used instead of thyme.
* For purging clams, it's convenient to use a 500ml plastic bottle and soak them in saltwater made with 2 capfuls of salt per 500ml of water.
Profile
Ai Okubo
Pharmacist, Kampo counselor. Studied Kampo, medicinal cuisine, and Eastern beauty at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, becoming the first Japanese person to obtain an International Certified Traditional Chinese Medicine Beauty Therapist qualification. After managing Kampo pharmacies, dispensing pharmacies, and beauty salons, she is now involved in product development, writing, and corporate consulting as an expert in medicine and beauty, including Kampo and medicinal cuisine.
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aivonne85/
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ai_loveflower
