Japanese Magazine 005-Gentle Winter

Gentle Winter: Balanced Nutrition and Natural Well-being Prepare to welcome winter with a gentle and balanced approach to nutrition and lifestyle. Discover valuable tips to improve your immunity, cultivate daily happiness and revitalize your mind. From healthy recipes to inspiring reflections, adopt a natural life that helps you feel good and reconnect with yourself.

Amazake Milk Pudding with Ginger Syrup

Treat yourself to a deliciously creamy milk pudding, subtly sweetened with amazake, and enhanced with homemade ginger syrup. This dessert melts in your mouth, offering a comforting treat perfect for winter.

Ingredients (for 4 people)

Amazake Milk Pudding

• 280 ml of milk
• 100 ml of amazake
• 40 g of crème fraîche
• 5 g of powdered gelatin

Ginger syrup

• 200 ml of cane sugar
• 15 g ginger (peeled and sliced)

Preparation

1. Prepare ginger and gelatin: Slice ginger and soak gelatin in water. Also prepare ice water.
2. Make the pudding: Mix the milk, amazake and crème fraîche until smooth.
   a. Pour half of the mixture into a saucepan and heat over medium heat.
   b. When the mixture is hot, remove from heat and add the softened gelatin. Stir until dissolved.
   c. Stir in remaining mixture and cool, stirring in ice water until slightly thickened.
   d. Divide into bowls and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to solidify.
3. Make the ginger syrup: In a saucepan, combine the cane sugar, ginger, and water. Heat over medium heat until boiling, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Let cool, then refrigerate.
4. Serving: Once the pudding has set, drizzle with cooled ginger syrup before serving.

Enjoy this creamy and comforting dessert that combines sweetness and warmth, perfect for cold days!

Amazake and Fig Muffins: Sweetness for Breakfast

These light and fluffy muffins, topped with dried figs and enriched with amazake, are the perfect way to start the day with a treat.

Ingredients (for 6 muffins)

• 80 g soft flour
• 80 g cake flour
• 40 g of cane sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• A pinch of salt (about 0.5 g)
• 1 large egg (at room temperature)
• 70g of amazake
• 70 g dried figs (diced)
• 40 ml milk (for soaking the figs)
• 70 g butter (unsalted, melted)

Preparation

1. Prepare the ingredients: Melt the butter in a bain-marie or in the microwave, then let it cool. Soak the dried fig cubes in the milk for at least 20 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place muffin molds (or ramekins) on a baking sheet.
3. Mixing ingredients: In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the centre and add the egg, amazake, milk and figs. Mix gently with a rubber spatula.
4. Stir in the butter: When the dough is well mixed and thick, add the melted butter. Continue mixing until the flour is completely incorporated and the dough is smooth.
5. Baking: Fill muffin cups with batter, then bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until muffins are golden brown. If the tops are getting too brown, cover with aluminum foil.
6. Let cool before enjoying. These amazake and fig muffins are ideal for a nutritious breakfast or a delicious snack.

Enjoy the sweetness of amazake and the fruity taste of figs in every bite!

Amazake Pancakes: Lightness and Softness in Every Bite

Discover the magic of amazake with these light and fluffy pancakes, flavored with a subtle aroma. Perfect for a comforting breakfast or a gourmet snack, these pancakes can be enjoyed simply with a little butter.

Ingredients (for about 6 12 cm pancakes)

• 160 g cake flour
• 5 g baking powder
• Two pinches of salt (about 1 g)
• 180 ml of milk
• 1 large egg (beaten)
• 30 g butter (unsalted, melted for the dough)
• Butter (unsalted, for garnish, to taste)

Preparation

1. Preparing the butter: Melt the butter in a double boiler or in the microwave and let it cool to room temperature.
2. Mixing dry ingredients: In a bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix thoroughly with a whisk.
3. Incorporating the wet ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry mixture, then add the milk, amazake, and beaten egg. Mix gently in circular motions to incorporate the flour.
4. Adding the butter: Once the mixture is smooth and there are no traces of flour left, add the melted butter. Mix again without overworking the dough to prevent it from becoming too dense.
5. Resting the dough: Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and let the dough rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
6. Cooking the crepes: Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a little oil (if needed). Pour a ladleful of batter into the pan and reduce the heat to medium-low. When bubbles appear on the surface and the edges become dry, flip the crepe and cook the other side until golden brown. Add butter as a topping if desired.

These amazake pancakes are delicious and versatile. Enjoy them plain or top them with fruit, honey or syrup for an even more indulgent touch!

Ginger Nut Cookies: A Comforting Sweetness

Enjoy ginger and walnut cookies, where the warmth of ginger combines with the richness of nuts for a treat to enjoy at any time of day. Easy to make, these cookies add a touch of elegance to your snacks!

Ingredients (for about 30 biscuits, 3 cm in diameter)

• 100 g cake flour
• 80 g butter (unsalted)
• 30 g of cane sugar
• A pinch of salt (about 0.5 g)
• 25 g eggs (beaten)
• 30 g ginger honey
• 50 g walnuts (roasted and chopped)

Preparation

1. Roasting the nuts: Preheat the oven to 160°C and roast the nuts for about 10 minutes, then chop them roughly.
2. Preparing the butter: Bring the butter to room temperature. You can heat it in the microwave for about 20 seconds at 600W.
3. Preparing the baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Preheating the oven: Preheat the oven to 170°C.

Instructions

1. In a bowl, beat the butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the cane sugar and salt and mix until smooth. Add the eggs and mix well until the mixture becomes frothy.
3. Sift the flour into the bowl, then add the chopped nuts, ginger and honey. Mix gently with a rubber spatula until combined.
4. Divide the dough into 30 equal portions, spoon them onto the baking sheet. Bake at 170°C for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cookies are golden brown.

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Title: Amazake Sweet Potato: A Sweet and Comforting Dish

Add a sweet and savory note to your meals with this delicious sweet potato with amazake flavor. The texture of the roasted almonds adds crunch, creating a perfect balance of flavors.

Ingredients (for 4 madeleine cups with a diameter of 6 cm)

• 200 g sweet potato (peeled and cut into slices)
• 100 ml of milk
• 80g of amazake
• 1 egg yolk (for icing)
• 20 g butter (unsalted)
• Sliced ​​almonds with skin (for garnish)

Preparation

1. Sweet Potato Preparation: Soak sweet potato rounds in water for 10 minutes. Steam for about 15 minutes, until tender.
2. Mixing ingredients: Mash the sweet potatoes in a bowl until smooth. Add the milk, amazake, and melted butter, then mix well.
3. Making the cups: Divide the mixture into aluminum cups, smoothing the tops with a fork. Brush with egg yolk for icing and garnish with sliced ​​almonds.
4. Cooking: Preheat the oven to 190°C and bake for about 20 minutes, until golden brown. If necessary, cover them with aluminum foil to prevent them from burning.

These recipes showcase the versatility of amazake and the spiciness of ginger to bring comfort and flavor to your dishes!