3.31.2013

Cherry Blossoms!


Breath takingly beautiful cherry blossoms season in Japan!
Isn't this pretty? I think so!!!!! We have amazing cherry blossoms sweets.


3.27.2013

Cerise by Gordon Ramsay


I am eager to share with you one of my amazing nights this week!
I was at Cerise by Gordon Ramsay.
Absolutely amazing.

Your day will be a journey. I promise!
I am still smiling thinking about this amazing day! :)









2.17.2013

Yaki Udon


Yaki Udon

prep: 5min | total: 20min

2 package of udon noodles-cooked followed by package instruction and drained
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup sliced beef thinly
1/2 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms
1 roughly sliced yellow onion
katsuobushi for topping
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp okonomiyaki sauce
1 tea spoon black pepper

BOIL rnough water in a large pot and boil noodles 5min(see the package instrucation)
MIX soy sauce, black pepper, okonomiyaki sauce in a small bowl
HEAT vegetable oil in a large pan
ADD ingredients(beef, onion, mushrooms) and stair fry until it gets tender
ADD udon, mix of sauce... stir fry about 5min
ARRANGE noodles in individual plates and spread katsuobushi on top

2.16.2013

Natto


ika natto -

appetizer - strips of squid and natto

2 servings

prep: 0 min | total: 10 min
3 oz sashimi squid, sliced thinly
1 pack natto
1/2 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tbsp mentsuyu
wasabi paste

MIX squid and natto in a bowl
MIX soy sauce, mentsuyu, a bit of wasabi paste in a different small bowl
POUR the soy sauce just combined with wasabi over squid and natto
ARRANGE individual bowls

2.14.2013

Tempura Soba


Tempura Soba
fresh crispy shrimp tempura matches really good with soba soup

prep: 20min | total:50min
serving 2

for shrimp tempura
6 large shrimp
1 egg
1 cup flour
1 cup water
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 flour

MIX flour with water in a bowl
TAKE OUT shrimp head and shells, remove the thin black line ---keep tails
DRY shrimps on paper tower
BEAT egg in a bowl
HEAT the vege oil 340 degrees F.
PUT shrimp lightly in the flour
DIP the shrimp in the batter
DEEP-FRY until it gets brown and crispy (3-5min)

Soba

3 cups dashi soup
2 tbsp mirin
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp salt
green onion sliced thinly
8 oz soba noodles

BOIL dashi soup, add mirin, soy sauce and salt
KEEP boiling with low heat
BOIL enough water in a large pot for noodle(use different pot)
BOIL noodles according to the package instruction
PUT into cold water
ARRANGE noodles in individual bowls, pour soup, arrange shrimp on top

2.11.2013

Okonomiyaki


okonomiyaki
Japanese pancake - fry as you like it(meaning of this dish in japanese)
prep:10min | total:30min

1/2 roughly chopped cabbage
2 Tbs katsuobushi
2 scallions chopped
1 tbs benishoga 1/2 cup Raw shrimpbatter
1 cup flour
2 eggs
2/3 Cup water
1/4 tsp salt

okonomiyaki or tonkatsu sauce
aonori
Japanese mayonnaise
katsuobushi

MIX okonomiyaki flour and water in a large bowl
ADD eggs, cabbage, ginger, shrimp, and roughly mix –don’t mix too much , it make the glutenchewy
HEAT the pan with 1 tbsp oil and pour 1/2 okonomiyaki mixture,
FLIP over pancake and cook another 5min
FLIP again an cook few more minutes until the pancake is well browned ARRANGE in a plate, decorate katsuobushi, mayonnaise, aonori on top

2.10.2013

Zanzai


Zenzai is the best dessert to cool off

Prep:overnight | Total:4h(over night+4h)

shiratama ball:
1/2 box(16 ounce)shiratamako(rice flour)
2/3-3/4 cup water

For topping azuki paste
8-ounce package azuki beans
2 cups sugar
1/2 tspn salt
++ if you are having a busy night, buy azuki(red bean)paste

Prep:before you go to bed
WASH azuki beans
COVER with water, let stand overnight


DRAIN water, replacing with five times water compares with the amount of beans, bring to boil
COVER and simmer about 2 hours until beans become tender. Adjust the water if there is still too much---in the end, we need to make it as paste
ADD sugar and cook about 1 hour, stirring occasionally
ADD salt and cook 10 additional minutes

meanwhile
PUT shiratamako in a bowl
ADD water gradually and KNEAD well, make a stiff dough
MAKE small balls
BOIL enough water in a large pan and add balls
SEE balls float, keep boiling few more minutes
REMOVE the balls and cool in cold water
DRAIN and serve balls in individual bowls and top with azuki bean paste

2.09.2013

Red bean sweets

I can talk about Red bean sweets all day! I can't think of living my life without it.
Boiled red beans are mashed and used in a variety of sweets in Japan. As for the historical origin of these amazingly delicious sweets, they are from China. You will encounter different styles of exciting delicious red bean sweets in many places in Asia such as China, Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong and Japan.
Well, I still enjoy holding a package of ice cream while watching TV, trying regular chocolates compared to chocolates that are made of amazing patissiers like jewelries, and dainty cupcakes... I love those as well! Who doesn't?

But as I grew up in a family with the smells, I was always able to try homemade red bean desserts my mom made at home, it didn't take long to get to know these amazing desserts' existence.

Let me share some of the desserts that red bean paste are used in. You will love them. And definitely those desserts will make you smil!

Here we go.




This is called 'Anmitsu'.
Anmitsu which normally comes in a bowl consists of lots of ingredients, great red bean paste, small cubes of jelly. boiled peas, different fruits, and always comes with original special syrup and is poured before we eat it.

Okay, what is your favorite food to eat when you are very tired? The food you want to choose sitting on the couch, enjoy it with your favorite movie. Hot red bean soup... this always gives you a sense of comfort. You will realize the stress, fatigue feelings... all fade away!


This is called 'Oshiruko', red bean paste soup, normally served with rice cakes!
Sometimes we enjoy this as cold, or we enjoy just rice cakes with paste!(without soup)



Daifuku, this round dessert consists of round rice cakes stuffed with red bean paste.



Here's 'dango' which is a rice cake on a stick. It is normally served on a skewer. These dangos are made of rice-flour, small balls of dango(3-5 balls) are served with different tasts. Covered with a sweet soy sauce glaze, red bean paste, green tea paste etc.


'Taiyaki', fish-shape cake stuffed with sweetenedred bean paste.
This Sea bream fish is called 'Tai' in Japanese and we traditionally eat this for celebrations. When you walk around in an off-central area, you will find these taiyaki stores. I enjoy buying it while I shop and walk around. Common stuffing includes red bean paste, custard and chocolates.



Well, let me tell you about one more dessert. 'Yokan' is a very thick jellied dessert cooked with red bean, agar and sugar. Simple Yokan consists of only these ingredients. However, with other desserts, we have varieties of this type of dessert as well. Some stuffed with chestnuts, some are chilled, some are added with more water when cooked so it is very moist. We eat by slicing it.

Try to stop by the dessert section at the supermarket and separtment store!
I have to tell you, don't forget to prepare hot green tea. These sweets and green tea are the best combo! Enjoy these delicious desserts and blow your winter emotions away!





 





1.28.2013

Healthy Dessert


Pumpkin Tarte

These are AMAZING!!!
You will LOVE it.

Sandwiches!



If you love good sandwiches, you would LOVE this place.
Restaurant is located in Otemachi.
Always crowded. You will be surprised to see so many kinds of sandwiches with different types of breads from rye, white, sesame, and different ingredients.  You are able to choose based on your mood. They have breads from your light meal to heavy meal.

Their desserts are very sophisticated and not too sweet.
You will always have a reason to come back to this place!







1.27.2013

Tea and Scones - The Perfect Pairing


You can stop by 'Fairlycake Fair' after the long seminar and get your favorite scones!
This store close late at night.
They have more than 15 kinds of scones everyday, a little bit crispy outside, very buttery and moist inside. Personally, Earl Grey is my favorite!
They have my love clotted cream as well. Ginger is your healthy friend :)

As you like to eat chocolates in the morning, you can try chocolate, and if you are in a healthy mood, you can definitely try ginger. Not very spicy, very elegant taste!


Home Fairlycake Fair
Ginza, Tokyo


As much as vegetables you want!




This restaurant is located in Marunouchi building, which is a 5-minute walk from Tokyo station.
You will be able to enjoy shopping and eating healthy organic meals at the same time.
Their dishes are served with organic products around Japan and all menus come with salads which include more than 15 kinds of vegetables! Their presentation is quite beautiful. Their dressing uses vinagrette, wines, and different types of spices.

Chef's V:
Marunouchi Building, 5-minute walk from Tokyo Station

1.26.2013

Breakfast that feels like home


If you are looking for fresh breakfast that feels like home, try Paul.
Their breakfast includes eggs which will be cooked to your preference, varieties of large salads, use salmon, cheese and colorful vegetables, different types of crepes.

The cafe smells like coffee and bread all the time. They have lots of individual breads from crispy croissants, French breads, ryes filled with dry fruits. You would be able to find something exciting all the time.


1.19.2013

Relaxing memento




it's always nice to have healthy Japanese dinner with my friends
after the looong week.

1.14.2013

Strawberry Smoothie


Holiday-Monday starts with Strawberry Smoothie!
Well, well, well, it's snowing outside!

It's such a perfect day to catch up all the readings :)








1.10.2013

1.08.2013

Back to work


Japanese Sweets - Wagashi
How Beautiful they are!!!

Limited Wagashi for New year
Very delicious, took lots of photos!

Have a happy happy week everyone.

1.06.2013

2013


Happy happy new year everyone all around the world!
Hope you had a wonderful holiday.