Archive for January 20th, 2020

  • Chicken Mushrooms Nuts

    Simmered Chestnuts, Chicken & Shiitake

    The main feature of this dish is Chestnuts. In Japan, there are many dishes that are similar to this dish, and root vegetables are often used, such as Potatoes, Satoimo (Taros), Lotus Root, Gobo, etc. But, this one is special. If you have never cooked Chestnuts for savoury dishes, you should try it. The flavour …

  • Chicken Egg Udon

    ‘Oyako’ Udon

    ‘Oyako’ means ‘Parent and Child’. When ‘Chicken and Eggs’ are used, the dish is often called with the word ‘Oyako’. You might be familiar with the ‘Chicken and Egg’ rice bowl dish that is called ‘Oyako Don’. There are Udon noodle versions, and the mixture is often thickened and flavour is less sweet, and it …

  • Fish

    Easy Fish Cakes

    When I wanted to make Fish Cakes on the other day, I couldn’t be bothered with cooking Mashed Potato to make them. ‘Why can’t I make Fish Cakes with Flour?’, I thought. And I tried. It was easy, collapse-free, and delicious. This ‘Easy Fish Cakes’ are basically savoury pancakes. Great for dinner, and children would …

  • Tempura Vegetables

    Pan Fried Zucchini

    Sometimes I receive a compliment for the dish I cooked with no effort at all. This ‘Pan Fried Zucchini’ was not particularly special. But my husband said, after one bite, ‘Oh, this is good!’ So, I decided to write down how I cooked it. Makes 2 to 3 Servings Ingredients 1 Zucchini *sliced 1cm thick1 …

  • Potato

    ‘Kimpira’ Konnyaku (Konjac)

    Konnyaku (Konjac) is becoming well known as a low-calorie food. My grandmother used to make Konnyaku herself. Her Konnyaku were round balls, and freshly boiled Konnyaku were so delicious. Most Asian grocery stores sell rectangular Konnyaku blocks. I use it to make this Kimpira, and every time I cook this dish, I think about my …

  • Chicken

    Sweet Chilli & Shiso (Basil) Chicken Balls

    My Shiso plants did not grow well this summer in 2020, but I still can harvest lovely aromatic leaves. I know Shiso is hard to find for many of us, that’s why I am growing them in the garden. Basil can be used instead. Common Basil, Thai Basil, or similar fragrant herbs are all good. …

  • Steamed & Microwaved Sweets

    Steamed Lemon Cake

    Steaming is a brilliant way to make cakes. It makes the softest and moistest cakes. You don’t need any special equipments. I use a cake tin, but you can cook this cake in a heat-proof bowl, ramekins, mugs, baking-paper-lined bamboo basket or anything you can pour the cake mixture in. Makes 18cm OR smaller Round …

  • Vegetables

    Tomato & Shiso Salad

    If you are lucky to have Shiso (Perilla), try this simple salad. You may wish to add extra ingredients such as Garlic and Chilli. But I believe a simple dressing such as ‘Ponzu’ is the best to enjoy the flavour and fragrance of Shiso. If you make this salad using Basil, add some Garlic. Makes …