It is hard to believe that I used to hate this leafy vegetable that is called ‘Shungiku’ (春菊) in Japanese, and it is also known as Edible Chrysanthemum. I absolutely hated it when I was a child, and never tried to eat it until I was in my forties. I love it now. This is …
‘Yukari (ゆかり)’ is a Furikake (Rice Seasoning) made from Red Shiso Leaves. It can be used as a seasoning for a variety of dishes. My family members don’t like its flavour, but I love it and it is very popular in Japan. Just combine Yukari and Vegetable, such as Daikon OR Cucumber, and you can …
‘Goma-ae’ is a Japanese dish of vegetables dressed with sweet sesame seed sauce. A variety of vegetables are suitable for the dish, but I have found Wombok is tricky. It tend to turn bland. For Wombok, an extra Salt is needed. And I believe Ginger and Sesame Oil improve the flavour. This ‘Goma-ae’ Wombok is …
This Asian flavoured salad of Wombok can be made very quickly. The thick white parts of Wombok often takes longer to get seasoned and softened, but I have found a trick. I use Salt and Microwave. It’s very quick and easy. Makes 4 Servings Ingredients 1/4 Wombok *Today it weighed 450g1/2 teaspoon Salt *reduce the …
I often make ‘Nametake’ Enoki, that can be enjoyed with freshly cooked Rice, Noodles and even Pasta. I use it for cooking, too. Today I had a small amount leftover. I happened to have a small amount leftover Kimchi as well. I mixed them together and it was YUMMY!!! You may wish to try it. …
An Asian vegetable called ‘Choy Sum’ is very similar to ‘Komatsuna’, a Japanese leafy vegetable. Today I made a ‘Goma-ae’ dish using Choy Sum. ‘Goma-ae’ can be made with a variety of vegetables. ‘Goma-ae’ Sauce can be made with Toasted Sesame Seeds, Sugar and Soy Sauce. Depending on the amount of Choy Sum that you …
I bought ‘Takuan’ (Japanese Pickled Daikon), that was quite sweet. ‘Takuan’ can be used for cooking and I often add it to salads such as Coleslaw. Today I thinly sliced it and mixed with Chilli Paste. I even added some Ground Chilli as well. It was supposed to be very spicy but it was quite …
The product of thinly sliced Kombu (Kelp) that looks like coated with Salt is sometimes called ‘Shio Kombu’ (塩昆布), Salted Kombu, in Japanese. The Kombu is most likely seasoned with Soy Sauce and Mirin. The salty Seasoned Kombu can be mixed with Rice OR Vegetables to make a variety of dishes. You really don’t need …
Pickled Ginger (Sushi Ginger) is called ‘Gari’ in Japan. New Ginger is preferred for pickling as it has a thin skin and it is easy to thinly slice as the flesh is juicy and tender. It is often coloured pink. The pink colour comes from the red tip of Ginger. If the piece of Ginger …
Today I seasoned this Red Cabbage Salad with my Garlic Sesame Dressing, that I most frequently use fo salads. You can replace Garlic with Ginger, OR you may wish to use both. This Cabbage Salad can be a great side dish. Make it a few hours before you serve it, so that Red Cabbage will …
Any cooked Beans can be used for this salad, but I like small beans such as Lentils and Azuki Beans. I often add Wholegrain Mustard to this type of salad, but today I added Capers, and it was delicious. I thought Italian Herbs would be lovely in this salad, so I added Dried Italian Mixed …
On a cold winter day like today, a comforting soup with crusty bread would be perfect. This Chicken Soup is cooked with loads of Vegetables and slightly thickened with Split Lentils, that adds extra nutrients to the soup. I served this soup with ‘No-Knead Simple White Bread’. So good. Everyone was happy. Makes 4 Servings …