In the evening, the kitchen becomes noisy. My second son and daughter are full of energy, asking, "What's for dinner today?" A little later, my eldest son comes home from club activities hungry.

There are many days when I stand in the kitchen feeling a bit unsettled due to work or household chores, and somewhere in my mind I find myself muttering, "What should I have for dinner tonight...?"

What saves us on days like these are the staple dishes that quietly wait for us in the back of the refrigerator.

And recently, my husband has added "carrot stir-fry" to the mix.

This simple Okinawan side dish can be made with just shredded carrots and eggs. In my house, we add tuna, which everyone loves.

But when I see my husband wielding the frying pan, a single carrot somehow looks like a feast.

What I appreciate most is the enthusiasm they show when they stand in the kitchen saying, "I think I can make this."

When you open the container of prepared food, the gentle scent of orange spreads and you are enveloped in an indescribable sense of security. Once you serve it in your favorite dish, it becomes a wonderful side dish packed with kindness.

The space that a single dish can give us in our busy daily lives. The small kindness of knowing that it was made by someone other than us. Just having something like that makes me feel like a breeze is blowing through my hectic heart.

 

Having prepared meals on hand is a great way to be efficient, but more than that, it may bring you the peace of mind of knowing that someone is nearby.

Today, I'm looking forward to the moment I open the refrigerator.

The dish in which the carrot stir-fry is served this time is a work by Chieko Fujita, which is also available at Konohino .

Konohino  is a shop that has quietly collected pottery that evokes the warmth of the artists. If you are nearby, please come visit us in store, and if you are far away, please visit our online shop. We hope you will take your time to find your favorite piece.

 

Konohino  Staff Ami