As promised, this week I used my Uncommon Goods Japanese earthenware cooker, also called a donabe, to make this delicious seafood soup. It’s been cold and rainy here all week, and over plaintive moans from my kids of “WHERE DID THE SUN GO,” I thought that a colorful soup made in my little Japanese donabe might be just what the doctor ordered.
Donabe cookers come in all shapes and sizes, and the one I have can best be described as the perfect cooker for two people to get a nice, hearty meal. For the five of us, though (au pair included), the size of this cooker is now known as our “snack cooker.” It’s about ten inches in diameter, which is big enough to give everyone a little taste of the tasty morsels inside, but definitely not enough to fill us up. In order to have enough food for dinner, I had to make a “side dish” of ramen noodle soup with pork belly and other veggies. I HAD TO. Otherwise, I’d still be dealing with children laying on the floor of my kitchen, crying and yelling “I’M SO HUNGRY I CAN’T WALK.” These are the theatrics I deal with when I’m trying to cook dinner.
love how easy this japanese seafood soup is. definitely something i can see myself making – so perfect for the autumn weather Xx
This looks absolutely glorious!!! I am so intrigued to get one and try some kind of bibimbap to see if that would work too!?
Samantha, yes, I think these are the exact same cookers that are used for bibimbap, too! I’d love to hear how it works out for you!
Just loved your text. Big fan of clay pots here in Brazil (panelas de barro in portuguese), i’m gladly surprised knowing that they are a tradition also in Japan. Our version is a little more rustic in purpose and made by indiens and afro communities. I wonder the history of these pots in Japan, they are so delicate and beautiful !
Thanks, Lina! Interesting how clay pots are used across cultures to make many different dishes, no? How are they used in Brazil?