Japanese vegetarian recipes, pumpkin with sweet glaze and sesame seeds

[achookwoman]

Over the next few days I will post several Japanese inspired recipes,  that I served as part of a Bento Box lunch
The first is very simple and can be part of a Bento Box lunch or served as an interesting side with any meal. It is cooked in the Varoma and can be finished off in a frying pan.  
 
300 to 500g of peeled , deseeded butternut pumpkin. Cut into 2 cm cubes.
60 g of any sugar, ( white, brown , raw)
1 tablespoon of light soy sauce, ( if not available use 1/2 dark or mushroom soy and thin with white wine or rice vinegar )
1/2 cup of water

Place all , except sesames ,in heat proof dish that will fit into Varoma.  
Place 2 bamboo skewers under dish in Varoma to allow steam to circulate.
Pour 1 1/2 liters of boiling water into bowl and steam for 20/30 minutes. Stir 1/2 way through.
Test pumpkin with skewer to see that it is just cooked.

At this point,  tip into frying pan and boil rapidly to evaporate most of the liquid.  Serve
OR
Store and reheat by evaporating liquid as above.

Sprinkle with roasted sesame seeds.
  


Greens with Peanut sauce,  Japanese style

Many green veggies are suitable for this dish.  The original recipe uses Watercress, but I used Broccolini.  Green French beans, Asparagus or even Spinach would work well.  Again it can be served as part of a Japanese meal or as a side to any dish.

2 small bunches of Broccolini,  or about 500 g of preferred green vegetable.
Steam in Varoma until tender.  With the Broccolini,  I first started with the stalks and added the green tips for the last 10 minutes.
While greens are steaming,  mix in a large bowl,
4 tablespoons of Crunchy Peanut Butter
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
2 tablespoons Mirin

Tip hot veggies over the sauce and fold in with spoon until well coated.

Notes
This reheats well in the Microwave
Makes a nice meal with sushi  rice.

[achookwoman]

I have borrowed this photo from " Everyday Harumi", it has excellent recipes with simple instructions,  and substitute ingredients.

[Cuilidh]

Oh yum, this looks like my sort of dish!

Thanks for posting.

[judydawn]

Looking forward to all your bento box ideas Chookie, did you take a picture of the box you served?

[achookwoman]

Marina,  thought of you when I made this,  also the next one which is steamed green veggies with a light peanut sauce. 
Judy,  was tempted to buy Bento Boxes but too expensive as I only really liked the black lacquered ones.  Just used small  dishes.

[trudy]

Thanks Chookie.  Great idea and can't wait to read about the other things you made.

[cookie1]

Ooh I think I might try the greens with peanut sauce tonight. What brilliant ideas Chookie.

[achookwoman]

Photo of greens with peanut sauce.

[achookwoman]

Judy,  Mandy's lunch. The confusion on the table is how I served the Japanese meal.

[judydawn]

What confusion?  I thought Bruce was saying Grace    When you have 'bits and pieces' like that, how do you get it to all come together Chookie? How many different dishes did you make?  Nice to see dear Ral sitting at your kitchen table again and we all remember Bruce & Mandy, our waiters and kitchenhands at our get together in August. I hope Mandy had a lovely birthday.

[achookwoman]

Judy,  I now know why they have so many staff in Japanese Restaurants.   

[Wonder]

Chookie it looks like you did an amazing job and as Judy has said its great to see Ral there enjoying himself, you must be so happy to be home and fir Ral to be feeling better.

[cookie1]

I love the photo of Ral with his chopsticks and all the food. Thanks.

[Katiej]

Lovely Chookie! So nice to see Ral up and enjoying his food.
Really nice to see the lovely Mandy & Bruce as well.

[Cornish Cream]

Wonderful photos Chookie of the Birthday Party.