As a mother, finding ways to streamline meal preparation while keeping our meals delicious and nutritious has always been a top priority. While browsing through culinary inspirations, I stumbled upon the fascinating world of Tsukurioki (作り置き), a Japanese meal prep technique.
The pandemic has derailed the daily life that we knew, and it is a no-brainer why Tsukurioki came into trend. Also known as Johbisai (常備菜), this Japanese meal prep approach offers control and convenience, allowing you to assemble a delicious dinner from a variety of pre-made choices later in the week. In fact, the term Johbisai literally translates to “always available food.”
These are stored provisions intended for quick use, streamlining bento creation. This method is what makes the meticulous arrangement of dishes that we often see in those intricate Japanese bentos possible. It’s not just about the flavours but also about creating a visual masterpiece that engages all the senses. This culinary tradition celebrates balance, harmony, and the concept that we “eat with our eyes first.”
The art of tsukurioki
While the saying “nothing ventured, nothing gained” may ring true in many contexts, I know for a fact that it is definitely not in some. In fact, I think Tsukurioki elegantly defies this notion.
Unlike many endeavours that require significant effort and risk, Tsukurioki offers a refreshing departure from this notion – it’s all about ease and simplicity. It’s as easy peasy as Aviator game strategies, where the gameplay is pretty much straightforward and user-friendly.
The beauty of Tsukurioki lies in its approachable nature. You won’t be diving into an abyss of complex recipes. It’s not an elaborate culinary journey that demands intricate skills or hours of your time. Instead, it’s a smart and efficient strategy that empowers you to regain control over your meals without overwhelming you.
A staple stash usually includes Japanese pickles, tsukudani, homemade or store-bought furikake (a seasoning blend that is sprinkled over rice to enhance its taste), nori seaweed, and frozen items like mini meatballs, mushroom mix, braised pork cubes, and pre-prepared vegetables.
Creating a bento stash is hassle-free; no dedicated sessions are needed. For instance, tsukudani. Tsukudani refers to a cooking method in Japanese cuisine where ingredients, often seafood or seaweed, are simmered in soy sauce, mirin (sweet rice wine), sugar, and sometimes sake until they become intensely flavorful and slightly chewy. The resulting dish is both sweet and salty, with a rich umami taste. Tsukudani is typically served in small portions as a topping for rice or used as a condiment. It can add a burst of savoury complexity to simple dishes, and its concentrated flavours make a little go a long way.
Embrace the practice of setting aside extras or creating small portions during your regular cooking routine. When cooking, you can simultaneously prepare extras for future bentos – mini meatballs, hamburgers, or even small meatloafs. Spinach, blanched and bundled. You can then cool and freeze them on a tray before transferring them to a plastic bag for compact storage.
Meal storage tips
Once prepped, your stash should be well-wrapped to seal in or prevent odours. Most should not be stored beyond a week in the refrigerator, with meat items used within 3-4 days if not frozen.
Any frozen cooked food is best used within a month when stored in the freezer. However, you should also consider the nature of what you’re freezing. Moist foods should be wrapped in warm plastic, like rice or steamed dumplings. Other items should cool to room temperature before freezing to prevent moisture buildup and ice crystals. Quick freezing on a metal tray maintains quality, and portioned items can be stored in sealed bags or containers.
With their limited shelf life, don’t stress about building a large stash. Having a few items on hand is sufficient. Whether you’re a parent looking to engage your children in the kitchen or simply seeking a fresh approach to meal prep, consider embracing the art of Tsukurioki – you might be in for a new hobby here.
Thank you for reading.
