Glossary N
Nanohana or Na No Hana (Brassica campestris) is the Japanese name for rape blossom; are rapeseed plants which are widely eaten as spring greens in Japan. Boiled Nanohana plants are dressed with Karashi mustard dressing. Use tender nanohana plants with flower buds.
The nanohana plant is entirely edible, and the plant it is also the source of healthy Canola oil. Nanohana is a springtime flower, and in some areas of Japan you can find fields of the flower formed into mazes so visitors can wander through the blossoms and enjoy their beauty. Nanohana bloom just before sakura here in Japan, so they are kind of a prelude to spring, even though they are beautiful in their own right.
Nanohana, in Japanese literally translates into 'Vegetable Flower' but it also can be read to mean wild flower, or flower of the field. the plant is completely edible. March, is the Nanohana season for most of Japan.Nanohana in Japan are also celebrated in the art and culture of Japan, such as in clothing patterns, souvenir books, toys, gift arrangements, candles, and a Nano Hana sweet traditionally made with azuki beans available in the early spring at many Japanese markets which look like Nanohana flowers.
Nanohana is called Hanana in Kyoto.
Nam Pla Phrik refers to Thailand's fish sauce with thinly sliced Phrik Khi Nu and a squeeze of lime, sometimes sliced garlic is added, too. This sauce complements fried fish and fried rice dishes, but it is used universally as a more sophisticated substitute for plain fish sauce.
Prik Ki Nu is also known as birds eye chilis, birdshit chilis , scuds, dynamite chilis, or "mouse dropping" or mouse shit chili. These Thai chilis are viciously hot and are widely used in Thai cuisine. They form the basis for most Nam Prik recipes.
Nam Jim Kai refers to Thailand's multi - purpose dip which is predominantly sweet in taste. Sugar forms the base, but fish sauce, garlic and red chilli round out the flavor. It complements barbecued chicken, skewered pork, grilled cuttlefish, fried wanton, spring rolls or batter fried shrimp.
There are other variations to this sweet dip. If cucumber slices, crushed peanuts and a bit of vinegar are added, the dip is used with fried bean curd and fried fish cakes.
Nougat de Montelimar refers to French nougat which is made from almonds, pistachios, honey and egg whites. It is soft, chewy, sticky and rich with nutty flavor.
French nougat candy has its origins in the Orient many thousands of years ago when honey and nuts were first combined and France has been making its own version for many hundreds of years. In the 17th century, near Montelimar in the south of France, Olivier de Serres began growing almond trees and using the nuts along with honey to make his nougat which is now called Nougat de Montelimar . Over the years, the recipe for the candy changed to include egg whites to make this nougat candy more airy and light.
These days the Nougat de Montelimar is sanctioned by an AOC (Appellation d'Origine Controlee) - a product that marks itself with the appellation must contain a minimum of 30 percent almonds or 28 percent almonds and 2 percent pistachios and 25 percent honey.
This French candy is featured as one of the thirteen (13) desserts at Christmas eve celebrations in Provence, but it is available all year round in southern France.