なでしこ豆腐
Nadeshiko dōfu
Pink Tofu
English Interpretation
Crumble tofu finely, add a touch of safflower or indigo-flower coloring, and tint it. Arrange gently and serve.
原文 · Original (1782)
豆腐を細かく砕き、紅花、または藍の花の色を少し加へて色付けるべし。そっと盛りて供すべし。
Transliteration
Tōfu wo komakaku kudaki, benibana, mata wa ai no hana no iro wo sukoshi kuwate iro-tsukeru beshi. Sotto mori te kyō su beshi.
Notes & Annotations
Nadeshiko (撫子) is the fringed pink (Dianthus superbus), one of the 'seven flowers of autumn' (aki no nanakusa) in Japanese poetry. The word also carries connotations of ideal feminine beauty (Yamato Nadeshiko).
English Recipe
Ingredients
-
silken tofu 豆腐 1 block (350 g)一丁 Crumbled finely
-
safflower petals (dried) 紅花 a pinchFor natural pink colour
Method
Serves 2–3
1. Crumble silken tofu finely into a bowl.
2. Make a pink dye: steep a pinch of dried safflower (benibana) petals or use a tiny amount of red food colouring diluted in water.
3. Very gently fold the pink dye into the tofu until a pale, even pink tone develops throughout.
4. Mound gently in a white bowl, keeping the surface soft and natural-looking.
5. Serve chilled or at room temperature with light dashi and a few leaves of fresh shiso for green accent.
Nadeshiko (fringed pink) is one of the seven flowers of autumn. The gentle colour and delicate handling evoke the flower's beauty and femininity (Yamato Nadeshiko).
1. Crumble silken tofu finely into a bowl.
2. Make a pink dye: steep a pinch of dried safflower (benibana) petals or use a tiny amount of red food colouring diluted in water.
3. Very gently fold the pink dye into the tofu until a pale, even pink tone develops throughout.
4. Mound gently in a white bowl, keeping the surface soft and natural-looking.
5. Serve chilled or at room temperature with light dashi and a few leaves of fresh shiso for green accent.
Nadeshiko (fringed pink) is one of the seven flowers of autumn. The gentle colour and delicate handling evoke the flower's beauty and femininity (Yamato Nadeshiko).