Japan+-+FCP+-+PD3+-+SP11


 * __Recipe for Miso Soup__:**

Ingredients:
This should make around 4 one cup servings of Miso Soup.
 * 2 teaspoons dashi granules
 * 4 cups water
 * 3 tablespoons miso paste
 * 1 (8 ounce) package silken tofu, diced
 * 2 green onions, sliced diagonally into 1/2 inch pieces

** Directions: **
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine dashi granules and water; bring to a boil.

Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes before serving
*You can add almost anything to this soup, but the traditional ingredients are the green onions, mushrooms, and even seaweed pieces.

Because the people there live on an island they eat a lot of fish, and the Dashi stock, which is the base for Miso Soup, is made of dried kelp and dried fish. In addition, the prominent religion in certain countries of East Asia is Buddism, as it is in Japan. Buddism encourages vegetarianism/veganism, but it is not a requirement of the religion. That is one reason why they have things like spring rolls, which usually contain no meat. Taoism is another popular religion of the region, and in the past they studied herbs to reveal their healing properties. This affects the use of herbs and spices in East Asian cooking.
 * 1. How is that society's food a reflection of the culture's beliefs? behaviors?**

The way that they utilize the fish which can be reflective of their fishing occupations. East Asia, as a region, utilizes as much of its resources as it can. For example, in China they use bamboo as a building material because it is a resource available for them. In Vietnam they plant a lot of rice so they can utilize the monsoon floods and feed their population.
 * 2. In what way does food represent the cultural norms of the greater region?**

Rice is a cultural dish because it is a food that is eaten at almost every meal. Also, they add many of their other foods to it so the rice will take the flavor of whatever food it is pared with. Rice is a cheap food which will fill up poor citizens' stomachs. Also, rice is commonly grown in Japan becasue it grows better around water. February 3rd is Setsubun, also known as the bean throwing festival. People throw roasted soybeans around houses, temples and shrines to drive off bad luck and to encourage good luck. You eat the s ame number of beans as your years of age in hopes of g aining wealth and happiness. They also eat Eho-maki, or fortune rolls. They have seven fillings because of the seven deities of good fortune; simmered shiitake mushrooms, dried gourd, cucumber, rolled omelet, eels, sweet fish powder, and seasoned dried tofu. To eat them, face toward the good fortune direction of the year. The good fortune direction is where the fortune god, Tokutoku-shin, stays, but the direction changes every year. Then, hold the sushi roll and make wishes as you eat. Do not talk while you eat; it is said that good fortune will be gone if you talk. Sushi is a very cultural food in Japan because many of the ingredi e nts are available and easy to find all over the country. Also, it is easy to make because you usually do not have to cook the f ish. Also, it reflects the culture of Japan becasue sushi is made with great p re cision. This can relate to many of the things that Japanese people do, they always strive for maximum precision, accuracy, and quality in their work. Green tea is a commonly consumed hot beverag e that is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that e liminate free radical s, which are chemical compounds that alter cells, tamper with DNA, and even cause cell de terioration. In East Asia, green t ea is consumed at almost every meal including breakfast. Also, in East Asia citizens do not add sugar to their green tea, contrary to how most Americans drink it.
 * 3. List 4 cultural dishes and why they reflect that society's culture?**

This food is important to the culture because their three main dishes which include rice, miso soup, and pickles have not changed over thousands of years. These dishes are traditional foods that has been passed down for thousands of years. Food also represents their Buddhist religion, which is prevalent in much of East Asia. The “Tea Ceremony” is a custom that dates back to 800AD, when the Buddist monks returned to Japan bringing this tea with them as a medicinal beverage. This is why the tradition of green tea has been passed down through each generation. Their food also represents their culture through their entertainment. Cooking shows in Japan are very popular such as Iron Chef, which is so popular it has prompted the creation of an American version also, called Iron Chef America.
 * 4. Why is food important to that culture? (Other than sustenance, of course!)**

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