明けましておめでとう

My longtime neighbor, Takako, hosted a traditional Osechi New Year's celebration this evening. She invited neighbors and we all brought with us items to make the evening even more eclectic! There were hors d'oeuvres of rice crackers and bree, and fresh steamed shrimp. The official evening started with saki downed from youngest to oldest (I arrived just in time to step into my slot!). Then Homemade soup and Chung & Fu Yeow brought shrimp and pork dumplings. I brought Australian wines.

Then the Osechi lacquer boxes where opened to reveal all manner of goodies! From roast duck, to cow's tongue, from candied kumquats to fish roe in many forms, Sushi's, rice rolls, things dried, roasted, pickled and candied! Osechi dishes are prepared before new year's day and eaten 1st through 3rd of January (Called Sanganichi) so that women do not have to cook and can enjoy the celebration with family and guests. All the dishes are displayed in beautiful lacquered boxes and consumed cold. And Takako presented the empty boxes to her guests as souvenirs of the evening.

And finally there was Isamu's apple blueberry pie! So let's call it a Japanese fusion celebration! I can't think of a better way to celebrate the first day of the new year.