CHRYSANTHEMUM 'The Happiness Flower' ~ SUKIYAKI

"If you would be happy for a lifetime, grow Chrysanthemums."

~ a Chinese philosopher

~ Chrysanthemum 'The Happiness Flower'

The Chrysanthemum, the Flower of Happiness, was so revered that in Japan only the nobles could grow it. It has been grown for over 2,000 years all throughout in the Far East. It has come to mean love and truthfulness. We may see it carved on the throne of the Emperor of Japan and on many Chinese artifacts.

- Flowers: Myths, Legends and Traditions

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SUKIYAKI

~ Easy version of an old favorite first tasted back in the 60's, prepared and served in an electric frying pan as a thank you gift from our Japanese houseguest.

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1 1/2 lbs. very thinly sliced beef (sirloin) or boneless chicken
4 diagonally sliced stalks celery
2 thinly sliced medium onions or medium leeks
1 fat bunch diagonally sliced green onions
12 oz. sliced fresh mushrooms
1 can drained & sliced bamboo shoots
1 can drained & sliced water chestnuts
salad oil

2/3 c. Tamari or soy sauce

1/3 cup sake, white wine or dry sherry

1 tsp. sugar

• Arrange beef and vegetables on a large platter. Combine soy sauce, sugar and sake.
• Heat wok or a large skillet. Grease the pan with salad oil. Add about 1/3 of the meat, brown and and moisten with the Sukiyaki Sauce. Add 2/3 of each vegetable, keeping meat and each vegetables separate. Turn ingredients over gently while cooking for 5 to 6 min. Add a bit of oil and another 1/3 of the meat and cook for a further 1 to 2 minutes. Have chopsticks ready and serve immediately with rice and additional sauce.
• Replenish the pan with remaining ingredients as needed.