This might mean a 50-year-old cast iron skillet for some folks, or great-grandmothers tortilla press for others.
What is adonabe?
There is no [official] record, as the history of the clay pot is so old.
This sturdy pot has a thick-walled bowl base with a dome-like lid that sits on top.
Its made of heat-resistant clay meant to cook over a direct heat source like a flame.
But theres one brand in particular that Moore swears by.
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What can you cook in a donabe?
Think of adonabeas a well-designed and practical one-pot cooking wonder that can make a wide variety of dishes.
But out of all the ways to use this handy vessel, what are some of her favorites?
I use different kinds ofdonabesevery day for many different styles of cooking.
So, its hard to say which is my favorite, she says.
But, hot pot is one of the most frequentedand also typicaldishes you could make withdonabe.
I like a simple hot pot of fish, tofu, and vegetables in a dashi broth.
It tasted better than any rice cooked with any kind of rice cooking tools I had ever tried.
(Its filled with tons of rice, stews, and hot pot recipes.)
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What is the cultural (and personal) significance of adonabe, according to this Japanese chef?
For Moore and many other Japanese cooks, adonabeis much more than just a pot.
Its like a national cookware for Japanese people.
Its not just whats cooked in adonabethats significant, butdonabealso symbolizes Japanese communal dining culture.
Its often meant for tabletop cooking or dining to bring people together, she says.
This is why she takes special consideration when choosing the best ones to use and carry at her store.
The perfectdonabecan be so personal and varied.
For me, I always use hand-crafteddonabesfrom Iga, Japan.
The more you use it, the more character, or patina, yourdonabewill grow.
With proper care,donabecan last for many decades, she says.
Ready to get one?
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