About the Recipe
Oden has a long history going back several centuries. I shan't delve into that here suffice to say that it has evolved over time from a simple snack of skewered tofu in a miso sauce to a pick'n'mix stew where buyers street side can choose from 10 or more ingredients to be ladled into their bowl. My recipe is a bit of a feast in itself with 10 ingredients but you can do you own picking and choosing and make up your own hotpot from any of these ingredients. Some of the contents, like fish balls and fish patties may be unfamiliar to you but you should be able to find them online or at an Asian store.
Ingredients
4 mini chikuwa*
4 baby potatoes, peeled
80g carrot, peeled & halved
2 chicken drumsticks
2 boiled eggs
4 fish balls*
4 fried fish balls*
2 fried fish patties*
4 x 1.5cm / 3/4 inch daikon, peeled
1/4 packet konnyaku*
15 cm / 7 inch piece of dried kelp
for the soup:
1 tbsp japanese cooking sake
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp mirin
750 ml japanese dashi stock**
* you should be able to find fish balls, fish patties and konyaku online or at an Asian food store.
** you can use instant dashi granules or see my website for how to make a authentic japanese stock
Preparation
round the edges of the white radish using a knife or peeler (this will help the daikon keep its shape once it is cooked)
gently score the top & bottom of the daikon to help it absorb more flavour
cut the konnyaku into 4 slices, then cut a slit inside and turn the pieces inside out
put the daikon and water in a saucepan & bring to the boil
add the konyaku & cook for 3 minutes, then discard the water
put the stock, mirin, soy sauce & cooking sake into a large saucepan or casserole
add the the chicken, bring to the boil & cook for 5 minutes, then skim off any scum from the meat
add the daikon, potatoes, carrot, konyaku & kelp and cook for 5 more minutes
add the rest of the ingredients and simmer over a low-medium heat for 50 - 60minutes
your oden is ready. bring to the table and allow your dinners to select their choice of food from the pot
serve with a bowl of rice