Gluten Free Zenzai

One of my favorite comfort foods from childhood turns out to be gluten free.
It is called zenzai and depending on the region of Japan is served in different ways.
The sweet treat is traditionally served cold in the summer and hot in the winter. It is often served during the New Year.

Zenzai is basically a bean and rice soup. In Okinawa, the term "zenzai" commonly refers to this bean soup served over shaved ice with "mochi" I like shiruko, a type of zenzai, when the soup base is prepared to a medium thickness - not too thick and not too watery. There are recipes on the web for zenzai & shiruko, but I prefer to start my "soup" using a prepared red bean paste. My favorite brand is Shirakiku which makes the red bean paste with no artificial colorings or preservatives. For me, a bowl of steaming zenzai with mochi is heaven.

I am always amazed how different cultures use similar ingredients and come up with completely distinct tastes and flavors. It is delicious, but couldn't be more dissimilar to savory Mexican inspired beans and rice.

Menu Planning Step 1 – our family's favorite meals

The Happy Housewife is doing a Menu Planning 101 series.  I could definitely use some help in this area so I thought I would participate in her step-by-step process.  She asked us to list 15 meals; I decided to list as many of our favorite meals that I could recall in categories.  Here they are:

Beef:

• Beef Roast (Crockpot)
• Tacos
• Tostadas
• Shepherds Pie
• Tater Tot Casserole
• Carne Asada
• Beef Stroganoff
• Swedish Meatballs
• Burgers
• Meatloaf
• Salisbury Steak
• Taquitos
• Hash & potatoes O’brien

Chicken:

• Stir Fry
• Teriyaki Chicken
• Orange Chicken
• Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Chicken Nuggets
• Baked Chicken
• Fried Chicken
• Roast or Rotisserie Chicken
• Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Chicken Mole

Misc:

• The Best Beans (Mayocoba/Peruvian Beans) & Mexican Rice
• Enchiladas
• Egg Rolls (Chicken, Shrimp, Pork, Beef, or Veggie)
• Chilaquiles or Entomatadas
• Quesadillas
• Chili & Cornbread
• Loaded baked potatoes (chili, cheese, bacon, sour cream)
• Kielbasa and potato skillet or casserole
• Hot Dogs/Chili Dogs/Corn Dogs
• Chorizo and Eggs
• Pizza 
• Frito Pie
• Potato Tacos

Pasta:

• Pizza pasta casserole
• Lasagna
• Macaroni and Cheese with Spam or Ham
• Spaghetti
• Cheeseburger Skillet/Casserole

Pork:

• Ham
• Carnitas (Roast)
• Chuletas
• Pozole
• Gyoza (Japanese potstickers)
• Pork Roast with chile verde (mild green chilies)
• Ribs

Fish:

• Shrimp & Bacon Fried Rice
• Tuna or Salmon Patties
• Tuna Noodle Casserole
• Mexican Tuna Salad (diced onions, tomatoes, serrano chilies, lime juice)
• Shrimp Tacos
• Fish Tacos
• Fried Breaded Shrimp
• Fish Sticks/Filets
• Pan fried swaii catfish or salmon

Turkey:

• Roast Turkey

Soup:

• Albondigas (Mexican Meatballs) Soup
• Potato and cheddar soup
• Pozole with pork stew meat

Sandwiches:

• BBQ Rib
• Philly Cheesesteak
• Deli meat (Bologna/Turkey)
• Soynut butter and jelly/honey
• Chicken Patty sandwich
• Spam and Egg Sandwiches