Donburi - a balanced and fast meal

Donburi is not as popularly known as sushi, teriyaki, or some other well-known Japanese dish. Donburi simply refers to a large, thick rice bowl that often comes with a lid. Wikipedia explains Donburi as meals that are served in oversized rice bowls. Donburi are sometimes called sweetened or savory stews on rice.

This all-in-one meal is popular because everything is in one deep bowl, saving time in preparation and cleaning up. There are endless variations of donburi. On a personal level, I've not cooked a single meal for lunch for the past six months. Don't get me wrong, I love cooking, it's the washing up that I loath. My change of maid has been a constant nightmare and I thank God that my agency has finally got another change for me. My new help is a breath of fresh air. She understands and is able to carry out instructions without making a complete mess of things.

This is my first lunch meal I've cooked in half a year. SueSue asked me a question that triggered me to cook Donburi.

For me, cooking lunch must be fast because it's the busiest time. I have three school/college going children who have completely different time tables and schedules. The youngest one goes to day care after school and I send lunch over everyday (ta-pau/packed).

The second one is the busiest of the lot with an irregular schedule because of extra curricular activities like Choral singing, Debate brainstorming sessions, Music classes, Dance practices, etc, etc.

The eldest goes to college and we spend pretty much time having long breakfasts/brunches and coffees whenever her classes commence midday. All said and done, I would have done very well in the "Limousine business" if I had not been a stay at home mum!! LOL!!

Today's menu:

Salmon Steak Donburi and Miso soup
(for 2 persons)

1 salmon steak - marinate with salt and pepper
10 pods of snow peas (remove the fibrous string)
Toasted sesame seeds
2 bowls of hot Japanese short grain rice (Cooked)
Some lemon slices
1 tbsp of Kikoman shoyu
1 tbsp of lemon juice
One square inch of butter (less if you wish)
1-2 tbsp all purpose flour

Method:
1. Dust the marinated salmon steak with all purpose flour and fry it in melted butter.
2. Meanwhile boil a small pot of hot water and add salt and blanch the snow peas.
3. While frying the salmon, turn it once only and drizzle in the soy sauce from the side of the pan and add the lemon juice.


4. Prepare two donburi bowls and place cooked rice in each of the bowls. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds onto the rice.


5. Cut the Salmon into several pieces and arrange them alternating with a slice of lemon each.
6. Scoop some sauce mixture of butter, shoyu and lemon and drizzle onto the salmon.
7. Arrange the snow peas beside the salmon and you enjoy a fast and delicious lunch. Itadakimasu!