Osekihan

Osekihan is a traditional Japanese rice dish made with glutinous rice, azuki beans, and salt. The cooking process involves steaming the glutinous rice with the azuki beans, which impart a distinctive reddish-purple hue to the rice. Salt is typically added to season the dish. Osekihan is often served during special occasions and celebrations in Japan, such as weddings, New Year's Day, and Coming of Age Day. Its name, "osekihan," literally translates to "boiled rice" or "rice that has been boiled," but it specifically refers to this celebratory preparation.

The preparation method for osekihan is straightforward, though it requires the right ingredients. Glutinous rice, also known as sweet rice or sticky rice, is essential for its characteristic chewy texture. Azuki beans are chosen for their color and subtle earthy flavor. After rinsing both the rice and beans, they are typically soaked before being cooked together, usually by steaming or boiling. The red color from the azuki beans is a key visual element and is believed to ward off evil spirits, contributing to its auspicious association. Osekihan is usually served plain or with a small amount of soy sauce or furikake (a dry Japanese seasoning). It is a simple yet significant dish in Japanese culinary tradition, representing good fortune and festivity.