This classic Japanese side dish is tasty and nutritious.

Serves 4

3 medium burdock [1] roots
1 tablespoon toasted sesame [2] oil
1 tablespoon sunflower oil
2 large carrots
2 tablespoons mirin [3]
1 tablespoon tamari
a pinch of Japanese Seven Spice OR cayenne pepper

1. Scrub the burdock roots well, and cut into very thin, 5cm long julienne strips. Immediately submerge the strips in cold water to stop them from discoloring. Heat the oil in a heavy frying pan over a medium heat, then add the drained burdock and sauté for about 5-7 minutes. Add a couple of tablespoons of water, then cover and cook over a medium to low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the burdock is nearly tender. Meanwhile, scrub the carrots and cut them into julienne strips.

2. Add the carrots and half the mirin. Fry briefly, then cover and leave to cook. Check regularly that the vegetables are not sticking to the bottom of the pan, and if they are, move them about with a wooden spoon. When the liquid is absorbed, add the tamari, the rest of the mirin, and the spices. Toss, cover, and cook briefly until tender, adding a couple of tablespoons of water if necessary. Serve hot as a side dish.

*Burdock root is prized in Japan for its crunchy texture and earthy flavour, as well as its strong medicinal qualities. Some specialist retailers are beginning to stock it in the UK, such as organic [4] box schemes and some branches of Fresh & Wild. But probably the most consistent way to find burdock roots is to simply grow them yourself. They grow very easily with next to no encouragement in most kinds of soil. Alternatively, simply use parsnips instead for this recipe, or use more carrots to replace the burdock.

*Japanese Seven Spice (Shichimi Togarashi) is a mix of nori [5] flakes, white and black sesame seeds, sansho pepper, chilli flakes, dried tangerine peel, and hemp or poppy seeds, and is a ubiquitous flavouring added to many dishes in Japan. This dish, adapted from a traditional Japanese recipe, is a simple way to enjoy burdock during its autumn and winter season.