Shiruko
{{Short description|Japanese dessert}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox food
| name = Shiruko
| image = Oshiruko with genmai mochi.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Shiruko with genmai mochi
| alternate_name =
| country = Japan
| region =
| creator =
| course = Dessert
| type =
| served = Hot, cold
| main_ingredient = Azuki beans, mochi, sugar
| variations =
| calories =
| similar_dish = Zenzai, Hong dou tang, patjuk
| other =
}}
{{nihongo||{{linktext|汁粉}}|Shiruko}}, or {{nihongo||お汁粉|oshiruko}} with the honorific {{nihongo||お|o}}, is a traditional Japanese dessert.{{cite web|url=http://www.uwajimaya.com/glossary.asp?PrimaryName=shiruko+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++&Alpha=S+++++++++|title= shiruko Japanese|publisher=Uwajimaya|access-date=2007-11-13 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071121182210/http://www.uwajimaya.com/glossary.asp?PrimaryName=shiruko+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++&Alpha=S+++++++++ |archive-date = 2007-11-21}} It is a sweet porridge of azuki beans boiled and crushed, served in a bowl with {{Transliteration|ja|mochi}}.{{cite web|url=http://web-japan.org/nipponia/nipponia28/en/appetit/index.html|title=Shiruko: Sweet Bean Soup to Warm You Up in Cold Weather|first=Hiromi|last=Otani|date=2004-03-15|url-status=live|archive-date=16 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016131719/http://web-japan.org/nipponia/nipponia28/en/appetit/index.html|access-date=2007-11-13 |publisher=Nipponia No.28 on Web Japan}} There are different styles of {{Transliteration|ja|shiruko}}, such as {{Transliteration|ja|shiruko}} with candied chestnuts, or with glutinous rice flour dumplings instead of {{Transliteration|ja|mochi}}.
The half-melted sticky {{Transliteration|ja|mochi}} and the sweet, warm red bean porridge is enjoyed by many Japanese, especially during the winter. {{Transliteration|ja|Shiruko}} is frequently served with a side dish of something sour or salty, such as {{Transliteration|ja|umeboshi}} or {{Transliteration|ja|shiokombu}} to refresh the palate as {{Transliteration|ja|shiruko}} is so sweet that the taste may cloy after a while.
Types
There are two types of {{Transliteration|ja|shiruko}} based on different methods of cooking azuki beans. Azuki beans may be turned into paste, crushed without keeping their original shape, or a mix of paste and roughly crushed beans.
There is a similar dish, {{nihongo||{{linktext|善哉}}/ぜんざい|zenzai}}, which is made from condensed paste with heat and is less watery than {{Transliteration|ja|shiruko}}, like making jam or marmalade. In Western Japan, {{Transliteration|ja|zenzai}} refers to a type of {{Transliteration|ja|shiruko}} made from a mixture of paste and crushed beans. In Okinawa, the term {{Transliteration|ja|zenzai}} commonly refers to this bean soup served over shaved ice with {{Transliteration|ja|mochi}}. Other toppings, such as sweetened condensed milk, are occasionally added for flavor.
In Tottori Prefecture and Shimane Prefecture, {{Transliteration|ja|shiruko}} is also used for {{Transliteration|ja|zōni}}, the special soup for New Year celebration.
Gallery
File:Shiruko(Zenzai)6.jpg
File:Zenzai and tea set at Shirasagido, Himeji.jpg
File:Japanese zenzai with rice cake.JPG
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Japanese food and drink}}
Category:Japanese desserts and sweets
{{Japan-cuisine-stub}}