JAPANESE GARLIC RECIPES

Steps:

• To cook the rice, place the rice in a sieve and rinse under running water. Then transfer the rice to a large bowl, cover with water and soak for 30 minutes. Drain the rice very well before adding to a medium saucepan. Add 2¼ cups of water. Cover with a lid and bring to the boil. Then reduce the heat to low and cook for 10 minutes. Keep the pot covered but remove it from the heat. Allow to rest for 10 minutes to allow the residual steam and heat to continue cooking the rice. Use a fork or wooden spoon to fluff up the rice. Transfer 2 heaped cups of rice to large bowl (save the rest in the fridge or another meal). While the rice is still warm, mix through the mayonnaise. Heat the butter in a pan over medium-high heat. When the butter is melted, add the garlic and stir-fry for a minute. Then add the rice and stir-fry for another half a minute. Then add the soy sauce and toss until well combined. Move the rice to one side of the pan and add your eggs into the empty side. Allow to set for half a minute before scrambling and mixing the egg into the rice. Taste and season with salt to taste. Toss through the parsley and serve.

Steps:

• Mix 700ml chicken stock, 3 halved garlic cloves, 4 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, a sliced thumb-sized piece of ginger, ½ tsp Chinese five spice, pinch of chilli powder and 300ml water in a stockpot or large saucepan, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 mins.
• Taste the stock – add 1 tsp white sugar or a little more soy sauce to make it sweeter or saltier to your liking.
• Cook 375g ramen noodles following the pack instructions, then drain and set aside.
• Slice 400g cooked pork or chicken, fry in 2 tsp sesame oil until just starting to brown, then set aside.
• Divide the noodles between four bowls. Top each with a quarter of the meat, 25g spinach, 1 tbsp sweetcorn and two boiled egg halves each.
• Strain the stock into a clean pan, then bring to the boil once again.
• Divide the stock between the bowls, then sprinkle over 1 shredded nori sheet, sliced spring onions or shallots and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Allow the spinach to wilt slightly before serving.