Several days ago, I saw in a Japanese news report about the new discovery by Japanese scientists. They found that tomato contains substance which promotes reduction of internal fat in your body. (here's a link to an article.)
So, I decided to make donabe rice dish with tomato juice!
It was Octopus & Tomato Rice (Tako Tomato Gohan). Of course, for the best result, I used my double-lid donabe rice cooker, "Kamado-san", to make this dish. And, the choice of rice was Anson Mills' Carolina Gold Rice, which is very fragrant heirloom hand-picked rice.
![Photobucket](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/November%202011/IMG_8464.jpg)
![Photobucket](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/November%202011/IMG_8465.jpg)
First, over medium+ heat, I sauteed shallot (1 small, minced) and garlic (2 cloves, minced) in 1T olive oil in Kamado-san, then added 2 rice cups (360 ml) rice and sauteed a little more. Then, I added a mixture of 200 ml vegetable stock, 100 ml tomato juice, 2T sake, 2T light-color soy sauce, and a tiny pinch of salt.
![Photobucket](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/November%202011/IMG_8468.jpg)
Donabe was covered with both lids, and continued to be cooked over medium+ heat for 12-13 minutes. Meanwhile, I got a boiled octopus legg (about 9 oz) and cut it into oblique pieces. Once I turned off the heat, I quickly opened lids to add the octopus pieces, then quickly put the lids back on again. The rice was rested in donabe for 20 minutes.
![Photobucket](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/November%202011/IMG_8472.jpg)
![Photobucket](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/November%202011/IMG_8475.jpg)
Once the rice was ready, I added about 2/3 cup of cooked shelled edamame and tossed with the rice. Rice was served into bowls and topped with herb mixture (mitsuba, shiso, and scallion).
![Photobucket](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/November%202011/IMG_8480.jpg)
It was so delicious! The flavor was perfect especially with the very light-fluffy Anson Mills' rice. I had two huge bowlfuls of it.
Happy donabe life.