Dr. Ai Okubo, Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacist: Autumn "Food-Medicine Recipes" to Revitalize Your Cells

Shirasu recipes to prevent "autumn aging"

A pleasant season has arrived, overflowing with delicious food and showcasing nature's beauty. However, it's also said to be a time when summer fatigue lingers, and temperature differences and dry air accelerate aging.
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that the dry autumn air dries out the skin, throat, nose, mouth, and intestines, weakening the "lungs" and potentially lowering immunity. Furthermore, as daylight hours gradually shorten, vitamin D deficiency can lead to weakened bones and low spirits. For menopausal women, hormonal imbalances may also become more pronounced.

◆ This month's key ingredient

Shirasu (Whitebait)

Shirasu, which allows you to eat the entire fish, contains vitamin D, which helps calcium absorption and is said to be good for preventing osteoporosis. In addition, DHA and EPA regulate autonomic nervous system and hormonal imbalances, mood swings, and support blood flow. Zinc and protein are also effective for beautiful skin and hair. It is a powerful medicinal food ingredient for autumn dryness and menopausal care.

◆ Recipe Introduction

Shirasu and Umeboshi Takikomi Gohan (Cooked Rice)
to Relieve Fatigue and Cold

Support your immunity, which tends to decrease in autumn, with shirasu and maitake mushrooms. Furthermore, umeboshi (pickled plum) and ginger regulate the digestive system, helping to relieve fatigue and combat cold. Restore balance with this medicinal rice that you simply put in the rice cooker.

→Check out the recipe video (coming soon)

Ingredients (for 2 servings)
Rice　　　　　　　　2 gou (360ml)
Boiled shirasu　　　50g
Umeboshi　　　　　2
Ginger　　　　　　2 cloves
Maitake mushrooms　　　　　1/2 pack
Water　　　　　　　for 2 gou
Soy sauce / Mirin　　1 tablespoon each
Shiso leaves　　　　6
Ground white sesame seeds　2 tablespoons

Instructions
① Remove the pits from the umeboshi and chop them. Julienne the ginger. Tear the maitake mushrooms into bite-sized pieces.
② Wash the rice, put it in the rice cooker, add soy sauce and mirin, then fill with water up to the marked level.
③ Add the boiled shirasu, umeboshi, ginger, and maitake mushrooms on top and cook.
④ Once cooked, gently mix everything. Sprinkle with julienned shiso leaves and white sesame seeds to serve.

Point
＊If using chirimenjako (dried young sardines) instead of boiled shirasu, mix it into the rice after it has cooked.

For beautiful bones, blood, and skin!
Shirasu and Chrysanthemum Greens with Nuts

A simple salad where you just mix ingredients, providing nutrients for bones, blood, and beautiful skin with shirasu and nuts. The aroma of chrysanthemum greens helps regulate the flow of qi, balancing autonomic nervous system disturbances and low spirits.

→Check out the recipe video (coming soon)

Ingredients (for 2 servings)
Boiled shirasu　　　50g
Chrysanthemum greens　1 bunch
Radishes　　　　　as needed
Nuts　　　　　　2 tablespoons
Garlic　　　　　　1 clove
Soy sauce / Vinegar　2 teaspoons each
Linseed oil　　　　2 teaspoons

Instructions
① Cut the chrysanthemum greens into bite-sized pieces and slice the radishes. Roughly chop the nuts and grate the garlic.
② Put all ingredients in a bowl (or plastic bag) and mix thoroughly.
③ Serve on a plate. You can sprinkle additional nuts if desired.

Point
＊Walnuts or almonds are recommended for the nuts.
＊Radishes and linseed oil are optional.

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