The TV show Aiba Manabu aired on March 23, 2025, focusing on the seasonal delicacy of spinach sourced from Kisarazu City in Chiba Prefecture. The standout recipe featured in this episode was titled Spinach Peperoncino, created by chef Shinji Harada of the acclaimed restaurant Aroma Fresca, which has maintained a Michelin star for 17 consecutive years.
This segment offered not only culinary insights but also showcased the local agricultural practices that enhance the flavor profile of the spinach used. The specific variety highlighted, known as "Kanbee," is cultivated outdoors, where it adapts to cold weather, resulting in sweeter greens.
Chef Harada's ventures into creating dishes that highlight local produce have garnered admiration, particularly for this recipe that elegantly marries simplicity with flavor. The ingredient list is both straightforward and sophisticated, requiring only a few key components: one bunch of spinach, two cloves of garlic, one chili pepper, four grams of bonito flakes, three tablespoons of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and one tablespoon of Parmesan cheese.
To prepare the dish, Chef Harada details the process: he starts by thinly slicing the garlic and sautéing it in half of the olive oil over low heat, alongside the halved chili to release aromatic flavors. As the garlic begins to turn golden, the bonito flakes are added and lightly fried until everything is well mixed, then removed from heat.
The spinach is treated delicately, with the roots washed thoroughly before being blanched in salted water for a quick cooking time. Once the spinach is ready, it is placed in the same skillet to sauté further, with a sprinkle of salt to enhance the natural sweetness.
Once plated, the dish is topped with the golden garlic and bonito mixture alongside a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, achieving a balance of textures and flavors that highlights the star ingredient, spinach.
For those intrigued by this culinary journey and wishing to visit the restaurant, Aroma Fresca is located in Tokyo, and their contact number is 03-3535-6667.
Chef Harada’s restaurant has continued to receive accolades, including one star in the 'Michelin Guide Tokyo 2025,' reinforcing its reputation as one of the top dining establishments in the region.
The episode of Aiba Manabu also included a broader celebration of spinach, featuring various recipes and methods of preparation that resonate with both local traditions and innovative practices. As the show celebrated its 10th anniversary, it announced the upcoming release of a recipe book consolidating insights from the past decade's worth of culinary exploration, including the famed Kama-1 Grand Prix recipes, making it a must-have for culinary enthusiasts.
The generous showcase of spinach on the program serves to remind viewers about the importance of seasonality and locality in cooking. With a focus on fresh ingredients, the episode not only entertained but also educated viewers on making informed choices in their kitchens.
Overall, this episode of Aiba Manabu skillfully highlighted the central role that locally sourced produce plays in traditional and modern Japanese cuisine.
