# 煮物 (Nihonishii Nabe: Japanese Hot Pot)

## Description:
煮物 (Nihonishii Nabe) is a traditional Japanese hot pot dish, known for its comforting and flavorful broth. This dish consists of various ingredients simmered in a rich, savory sauce, often served during colder months. The key to a delicious 煮物 is balancing the flavors and textures of the ingredients, creating a hearty and satisfying meal.

## Instructions:
1. **Ingredients:**
   - 500g chicken or pork (cut into bite-sized pieces)
   - 200g tofu (firm or extra firm, cut into cubes)
   - 2 medium carrots (sliced into thin rounds)
   - 1 medium daikon radish (sliced into thin rounds)
   - 1/2 cup green beans (cut into 2-inch pieces)
   - 1/2 cup mushrooms (such as shiitake or enoki, sliced)
   - 1/4 cup soy sauce
   - 1/4 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)
   - 2 tbsp sake
   - 2 tbsp sugar
   - 1 tbsp cornstarch (or potato starch)
   - 1 liter water
   - 2-3 green onions (chopped)
   - Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)

2. **Preparation:**
   - In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water to create a slurry. Set aside.
   - In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add chicken or pork and cook for 5 minutes to remove any blood or excess fat. Drain and set aside.

3. **Cooking:**
   - In the same pot, add soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. Stir well to combine.
   - Return the meat to the pot and bring the broth to a simmer.
   - Add carrots, daikon radish, green beans, mushrooms, and tofu. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until vegetables are tender.
   - Remove the meat and set aside. Keep the broth simmering.
   - Thicken the broth by stirring in the cornstarch slurry until it boils and thickens slightly.

4. **Serving:**
   - Return the meat to the pot and warm through.
   - Ladle the 煮物 into bowls and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds (if using).
   - Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

## Allergens:
- Contains chicken/pork, soy, gluten (from wheat in soy sauce and cornstarch).
- May contain traces of nuts or sesame if using commercially sourced ingredients.

## Cooking Time:
- Preparation: 20 minutes
- Cooking: 25-30 minutes
- Total: Approximately 45 minutes

## Substitutes:
- **Meat:** If pork or chicken is unavailable, beef or lamb can be substituted. Adjust cooking times as needed.
- **Tofu:** Firm or extra firm tofu is essential for this dish. Silken tofu or soft tofu can be used as a substitute, but the texture will be different.
- **Vegetables:** Enoki mushrooms and green beans are traditional choices, but you can substitute with other firm vegetables like bok choy or broccoli.
- **Brine/Sauce:** If you cannot find mirin, you can substitute it with a combination of rice vinegar and sugar. For a gluten-free option, use tamari soy sauce and gluten-free cornstarch.