This syrup is called ‘Kuromitsu’ (黒みつ) in Japan. It is essential for many Japanese sweets such as ‘Milk Kuzu Mochi’. Japanese black coloured Sugar is almost identical with Muscovado. This syrup can last quite a long time in the fridge. Ingredients 1/2 cup Muscovado (*very dark brown sugar)1/4 cup Hot Water Method Combine Muscovado and …
Last year, I decided to grow ‘Shiso’ Perilla by myself and bought seeds online. Half-purple type perilla grew so well and Japanese ‘Green Shiso’ is also growing at last. Now I have too many ‘Shiso’ leaves. ‘Shiso Tsukudani’ is a good way to use up many leaves and this is another one, and it is …
We were given a boxful of Roma Tomatoes from a friend of ours on the other day. I decided to make Semi-Dried Tomatoes that we like a lot. I picked larges ones, cut them in quarters, laid them on three baking trays, then dry them in the oven. Semi-Dried Tomatoes are quite pricy if I …
I am Japanese and I used to use Japanese curry roux to make curry because curry is supposed to be made with the roux. However, after 20 years in Australia, I gradually came to dislike the flavour of store-bought roux and started making this curry. Now I am writing down this recipe for my children …
One of my favourite ‘Takikomigohan’ is ‘Asian Mushroom Takikomigohan’ and I sometimes crave the dish. One day I really wanted to cook it but had no fresh Asian mushrooms. Fortunately I had a pack of Assorted Dried Mushroom Mix. Mostly Asian mushrooms but Flat Mushrooms were also included, and some were already sliced. I cooked …
Vegetables in season taste so good and they don’t require much seasonings. For this ‘Tomato & Eggplant Cheese Bake’, you only need Salt & pepper. And good quality Olive Oil and Cheese of your choice. So delicious! Makes 4 Servings Ingredients 2 large Eggplants *about 600 to 700gOlive Oil for cookingSalt & Pepper2 to 3 …
When I was a very young girl, my mother often made this dessert. She used Potato Starch rather than Corn Starch, sometimes she used Water not Milk. It’s basically Milk or Water thickened with starch. I loved to eat it with Muscovado Syrup and ‘Kinako’, ground roasted soy beans. The gooey paste turns firmer and …
Pork ‘Shogayaki’ (Ginger Pork) is a very popular Japanese dish. I have made it into a spaghetti dish, but other noodles such as Udon noodles would be also good. This simple pork mixture is very versatile and you can make it into a rice bowl dish, too. Makes 2 Servings Ingredients 2 servings Spaghetti200 to …
My ‘Grilled Salmon & Watercress Mazegohan‘, one of my popular ‘Mazegohan’ dishes, can be made with Shiso leaves instead of Watercress. It is so aromatic and delicious. This is a crunchy and chewy Mixed Grains version of the dish. I added Edamame for extra crunchiness. Enjoy it with a refreshing salad of your choice. Makes …
‘Wakame & Cucumber Salad’ is one of the most popular and authentic Japanese salads and I make it very often. But sometimes, it is good to change its flavour by adding extra ingredients. This one is slightly sweeter and sesame oil flavoured. Makes 4 Servings Ingredients 1 Continental Cucumber OR 2 smaller Cucumbers *about 300g1/4 …
‘Canned Mixed Beans (Four Beans), Edamame and Carrot’ is my favourite combination for a quick bean salad. Sometimes I add other salad vegetables such as Cucumber and Lettuce. Dress the salad with various dressings, but this is my absolute favourite. It’s ‘Japanese Mayonnaise, Soy Sauce and Wasabi’. If you don’t like Wasabi, try Garlic Chilli …
I love my ‘1-Hour Focaccia’ recipe. When I am not in a hurry, I don’t add Baking Powder to the dough. On the other day, when I was about to make Cheesy Focaccia using the recipe, I decided to sandwich the cheese instead of topping it on the bread, so that I could cook it …