Despite the recent trend that Japanese people eat more various Western food, such as beef steak, bread, spaghetti etc., they used to eat mainly rice and vegetables. The new dietary culture of eating more meat began 150 years ago or so.

During and after the wartime, people had no choice but to eat potatoes and grains as main staples, but actually they were healthy. In this modern era, the value of those healthy vegetarian food is being re-evaluated.

One of representative healthy vegetarian food is “Nimono”.

We would like to introduce “Otosibuta”, a dropping lid, which is essential for cooking Nimono.

What is Otoshibuta?

Otoshibuta is a dropping lid to put over ingredients. It prevents ingredients being overcooked to fall apart as well as makes them absorb more seasonings or soup. With the lid on, the ingredients won’t float or scatter in a pot.

Otoshibuta can be replaced with aluminum foil or parchment paper, but using Otoshibuta is easier and more convenient.

Also, the size of Otoshibuta is adjustable, and it can fit various sizes of pans and pots. This time we used a one size fits all Otoshibuta manufactured by Shimomura Kogyo Co., Ltd. Their Otoshibuta is dismantlable/washable and can be lifted by a ladle.

How to Use Otoshibuta

You should adjust its size and place it in the pot. Just doing this can prevent ingredients being overcooked to fall apart as well as let them absorb more soup to be well cooked.

Also, Otoshibuta can be used as a steam plate. First, place a heat-resistant dish on the base of pot. Face Otosibuta down and put it on the dish.

Next, pour the water into the base and place ingredients on Otoshibuta. You will see how it is convenient that its size is adjustable.

Otoshibuta is Essential for Authentic Japanese Cuisine

These days Japanese people are more keen about diet and health. Japanese professional chefs have made a lot of efforts to establish the root of Japanese food culture. Otoshibuta, which can even make ordinary vegetables more delicious, is a cooking tool reflecting Japanese spirit of being particular about the details.