Mom’s Home Cooking: ポテトサラダ (Japanese Potato Salad)

When you think of Japan, you may not think of side dishes like potato salad at first. But, Japanese Potato Salad, or “potesara,” has actually been around in Japanese cuisine for over 100 years! During the Meiji restoration, Western dishes began widely influencing Japanese cuisine, and Japan’s colorful potesara is thought to have originated sometime during that period. Today, this dish is widely enjoyed across the country as a delicious side to lunch and dinner all year round. Take a look for yourself, and consider making this dish as a fun and flavorful addition to any of your holiday meals.

Origins

Like many storied dishes, the exact origin of this dish can be disputed, but Japanese people believe that this dish was influenced by the Russian Olivier salad, which was first made by a Belgian chef in Russia. Sources date the first version of this Japanese take on the Olivier salad back to 1896, and the dish has evolved to its current colorful version over the years.

Star Ingredients

There are a few reasons why Japanese potato salad is so distinct from its Western counterparts. First, it is almost completely mashed, so it has a smoother consistency and texture. Second, some of the ingredients are uniquely Japanese, which lend to its great flavor. Last but not least, this dish features an array of colorful vegetables and deli meat, which makes you able to spot this dish from a mile away. Here are some of the most notable star ingredients:

  • Kewpie Mayonnaise: This crowd pleaser may be eye-catching for its bright colors, but is largely celebrated due to its rich, tangy flavor. This is accomplished through ingredients like Japanese mayo, such as the Kewpie brand, which is higher in vinegar and tangier in flavor.
  • Vegetables: Japanese people get very creative with their potato salads, and these versions tend to be very healthy due to the generous amounts of nutritious vegetables they add in. Popular veggies include carrots, peas, cucumber, onion, and broccoli, though you can really add in whatever you like!

  • Japanese mustard: Karashi mustard is a hot Japanese mustard made from a mixture of mustard seeds and horseradish. It is very spicy and comes in both powder and paste forms.

 

 

Make the Best Japanese Potato Salad

Thinking about whipping up this dish for your next dinner party, or just for yourself? Here are some tips to make sure your potato salad comes out delicious:

  • Make sure not to overcook the potatoes. You want to let the potatoes boil in water, and then at a simmer. Overcooking will result in a texture that falls apart instead of staying creamy.
  • Remove excess moisture from ingredients. This extra step will make sure that your salad does not get too watery and will also mellow out the spices from ingredients such as onions.
  • Salt your vegetables. Adding a pinch of salt to your carrots or cucumbers will keep them crunchy, which will balance the smooth texture from the potatoes.
  • Get creative with your garnishes. Finish off your dish with some fresh cracked pepper, sesame, or even parmesan cheese if you want to make the dish look and taste extra appetizing.
  • Chill before serving. Chilling your salad will give your salad time to settle, and absorb all of the yummy flavors you just incorporated. Chill at least one hour before serving in an airtight container.

Let us know if you tried to make this dish at home, or have your own secret recipe by tagging Zojirushi on your photos with #zojirushi on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram!

Do More with Zojirushi Mini Food Jars: Favorite Meals To-Go

Happy March, Zo’ Fans! As the weather warms up and spring peeks around the corner, we are excited to announce the Stainless Steel Mini Food Jar (SW-EK26H), a colorful and portable delight, as our product of the month. This compact food jar is our smallest member of the Zojirushi food jar family, that can store up to 9 oz of capacity, and comes in two delightfully festive pastel colors, making them the perfect companion for your springtime adventures (even if it’s just to your work-from-home desk set up in the other room!).

If you’re looking for great pack-and-go lunch ideas, look no further – we’ve rounded up some delicious recipes here to get you started. The best part? With our mini food jars, you won’t have to concern yourself about your hot food getting cold or your cold drinks getting warm, and with its portable size and innovative design, you won’t need to worry about spills or leaks making a dent in your busy day. Just fill, pack away, and enjoy. Your mini food jar will keep your goods safe for hours (when used as directed).

Favorite Meals To-Go

Soaking in The Sun

If you’re planning to take your mini food jar outdoors for a picnic or hike, our Wild Rice Salad is a fan favorite that will be perfect as a healthy daytime snack. Using our Pressure Induction Heating Rice Cooker & Warmer (NP-NWC10/18) to cook the wild rice and a skillet to prepare the other grains, this fiber-rich and filling meal can be served either warm or cold. It will even keep in the fridge for yummy leftovers!

Expert Tip: Mind the time, March 14 is daylight savings! Don’t forget to spring forward the clocks on your appliances too. On most Zojirushi rice cookers, breadmakers, and coffee makers, pressing one of the TIME SETTING buttons will get the clock blinking, and then you can change the time.

Don’t forget to pack a drink! It’s always important to stay hydrated when venturing outdoors, and our Fresh Fruit Tea will keep you energized and satisfied all day in our mini food jar. After infusing the tea with your fruits, either fill your food jar with the hot tea or chill it in the fridge first for an ice-cold refresher.

 

Mini Feast in a Jar

Looking to sneak in something a little more decadent for your to-go meal? Our Saucy Pasta will fill your craving with delicious bacon, broccoli, and rich tomato sauce. This recipe is designed for our larger food jars, so make sure to adjust the portions (or save the extra for later!).

Expert Tip: You’ll want to preheat your food jar to make sure the inside stays piping hot. Pour hot water from your water boiler and close the lid to let it warm. Did you know? if you hold down the unlock button, you can turn off the sound or change the melody on your water boiler to a beep. For rice cookers, it’s the TIMER button, and for coffee makers, it’s the CANCEL button.

For a sweet bite to round out your mini feast, indulge in our Red Cranberry Gelatin. Made with fruit juice, fresh berries, and honey, this recipe is light, delectable, and perfect for the kids.

If you want more inspiring recipe ideas for on-the-go, visit our website for a full list of meals specifically tailored for our insulated food jars. What’ll you be making for your mini food jar?

Get to Know the Mini Food Jar (SW-EK26H)

Tiny and Mighty

With a compact design, this mini food jar measures 3 5/8” x 3 5/8” x 4 3/8” (W x D x H), weighs 10 oz, and tops off at 9 oz. Its stainless steel vacuum insulation will keep foods hot or cold for hours and can handle temperatures from 54°F to 122°F. The tight-fitted lid with gasket seals works hard to minimize leaks and maximize heat retention, and the 2-1/2” wide opening makes it easy to fill and easy to clean.

Two Colors

Our product of the month comes in two colors, Pale Orange (-DP) and Pale Blue (-AP), though small, they are bright and eye-catching. Perfect for work lunches, school lunches, family picnics, and more.

Care for Your Food Jar, and it Will Care for You

Make sure to clean your mini food jar and all of your Zojirushi appliances after use, and only use the jar as intended, to store hot or cold food items and beverages. Always be careful when handling hot water, and do not overfill the jar. Did you know you can order replacement parts from

What are your favorite meals to take on the go, and where do you plan to take your new mini food jar? Be sure to share your experience with us on social by tagging your photos on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram! #Zojirushi #ZoFan

 

Easy and Delicious Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas

Welcome to the Month of Love, Zo-fans – a time to celebrate your partner, especially on Valentine’s Day. While many couples decide to have a date night out, some may opt for a more intimate and romantic night in with a homecooked meal. Making dinner at home is a great gesture, but it can also be overwhelming to make a dish that’s more elevated than an everyday dinner, while not being too complicated to make or add hours to clean-up.

We’ve rounded up some ideas to help you prepare a dinner that’s delicious and sure to impress with our best tips for simple prep and clean-up.

Delicious Appetizer

Tomato & Basil Appetizer Style Thin Crust Pizza: Use your Zojirushi Breadmaker to make a homemade pizza appetizer, with fresh tomatoes, prosciutto, and cheese. Simple, yet refined. A wonderful beginning to any meal.

Side Dishes to Pair with Your Meal

Caprese Rice Salad: Use your Zojirushi rice cooker to make this twist on a caprese salad, with a rice base. Featuring pine nuts and herbs, this dish is tasty and can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for 12 hours before serving.

Green Peas and Asparagus Doria: Similar to French gratin, this Japanese dish is made with buttered rice with vegetables, meat or fish, soaked in a bechamel sauce and topped with cheese.

Okra, Asparagus, and Cherry Tomato Salad: This side dish is easy to prepare in minutes, by blanching vegetables with hot water from your Zojirushi water boiler.

Entrée Options

Rolled Stuffed Turkey Breast: Faster than roasting a whole turkey but just as festive. This dish has a delicious stuffing and can be made in our product of the month, the Multicooker (EL-CAC60).

Baked Risotto Lasagna Style: This variation of lasagna is baked to perfection with layers of meat sauce and rice (instead of pasta).

Roasted Chicken and Porcini Mushroom Ravioli with Sherry Sauce: Luxurious porcini mushrooms are the star of this tasty ravioli dish, easy to make using your Zojirushi breadmaker.

Ending on a Sweet Note

Layered Trifle Tower: Not sure about baking? No problem! The batter is baked in your Zojirushi rice cooker. Just layer with custard, whipped cream and fruit!

Chocolate Raspberry Tofu Pie: If you’re looking for a non-dairy but luxe dessert to enjoy, try this pie with a smooth raspberry chocolate filling made with tofu.

Do More with Your Multicooker

You can use your Zojirushi Multicooker (EL-CAC60) to help with a variety of meals for your Valentine’s Day dinner. Nine convenient menu settings include: sauté, simmer, slow cook, steam, rice cooker, quinoa, yogurt, and keep warm. The appliance has 4 temperatures for slow cooking, and preprogrammed grain and yogurt settings that automatically adjust cooking time and temperature to make white rice, brown rice, quinoa and yogurt. The machine also comes with a full color recipe book to continue to make easy and delicious meals to enjoy with your partner. Learn more here:

Easy to Make, Easy to Clean

The best part about Zojirushi appliances is their thoughtful construction, not only for cooking but also for clean-up. Here are some tips to clean and maintain the rice cooker used for your Valentine’s Day meal:

Remove & Clean Inner Lid: During the boiling process, starchy foam will adhere to the inner lid and become dirty. The inner lid is designed so it can be removed and washed thoroughly. Especially if you add any ingredients other than rice (such as condiments) when cooking, wash thoroughly to prevent odors.

Remove & Clean Steam Vent Cap: The steam vent cap is there to catch any foam that forms during cooking. Make sure you remove and clean it after each use to prevent from clogging.

Tips to Keep Inner Pan Scratch Free: The inner pan is nonstick coated for easy cleaning (rice is very sticky). When cleaning or washing, don’t put forks, knives or other cooking utensils in the inner pan. The pan should be hand washed with a soft sponge and a mild dishwashing liquid. Please only use the rice spatula that came with your rice cooker to keep the pan from scratching and deteriorating.

What are your favorite meals to make for your significant other? Are you planning on trying any of the recipes or tips we shared today? Be sure to share your experience with us on social by tagging your photos on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram! #Zojirushi #ZoFan