Ozoni 2013

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It is a common Japanese tradition to have the first meal of the New Year be Ozoni. It is a soup that always contains mochi (a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice pounded into paste and molded into the desired shape). It’s usually flavored by dashi and contains shiitake mushrooms, as well as leafy vegetables, scallions, and kamaboko (a fish cake served in a half-moon shape). There seem to be various reasons why it is the first meal of the new year. Some include, insuring a happy new year to come, strength and prosperity, and good fortune. Whatever the reasons, we look forward to having this very delicious food.

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