‘Tarako’ is salted Pollock Roe. When it is salted with Chilli, it is called ‘Mentaiko’. They are quite popular in Japan and used for many dishes. Today I added ‘Mentaiko’, that is salted with Chilli, to my favourite ‘Abura-age & Carrot Takikomigohan’. It was DELICIOUS!!!

Makes

4 Servings

Ingredients

2 cups (*180ml cup) Japanese Short Grain Rice
400ml Dashi Stock *OR 400ml Water & 1 teaspoon Dashi Powder
1 tablespoon Sake (Rice Wine)
1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
1 small Carrot *cut into small pieces
1 sheet Abura-age (Fried Thin Tofu)
80 to 100g ‘Tarako’ OR ‘Mentaiko’ *Salted Pollock Roe with/without Chilli
1 Spring Onion *finely shopped

Method
  1. Wrap Abura-age with paper towel and warm in the microwave. Then press it to remove excess oil if required. This process is optional.
  2. Cut Abura-age and Carrot into small pieces. Today I cut Carrot into strips using a vegetable slicer.
  3. Wash Rice by stirring it thoroughly in water with your hand and drain the water. Repeat this a few more times until water flows through clear.
  4. Place it into the rice cooker’s inner pot and add Dashi Stock, Soy Sauce and Sake (Rice Wine). Add extra Water, if necessary, to make up to the 2-cups-marking. Gently stir.
  5. Place ‘Abura-age’ (Fried Thin Tofu) and Carrot pieces over the rice evenly, then place ‘Tarako’ OR ‘Mentaiko’ on top. Press ‘COOK’ button to start cooking.
  6. When the rice is cooked, let it steamed for 10 minutes. Then break the ‘Tarako’ into small pieces and mix gently.
  7. Sprinkle with some finely chopped Spring Onion and enjoy.