When I make a Japanese Cucumber Salad, I often gently bash the Cucumber before cutting it, so that the centre gets slightly squashed and softened, and the cucumber is seasoned better. I used Toban Djan (Chilli Bean Sauce) to make this salad spicy, but you can use fresh Chilli. Alter the amount of Salt accordingly. …
‘CRUNCH! CRUNCH!’, it makes a loud sound as you bite these pickled Daikon (White Radish). How to make it extra crunchy? You dehydrate Daikon before marinate. In the region where I grew up, whole Daikon radishes are tied on ropes and hung outdoor in the dry cold winter air to dry. Once they are wilted, …
I used to be a Beetroot hater. I hated it so bad and didn’t want to put it into my mouth. But I love it now, and Canned Beetroot is my pantry essential. ‘Spinach, Beetroot & Fetta Salad’ is my No.1 Beetroot Salad. No. 2 is this ‘Beetroot & Potato Salad’. You can add Boiled …
This is one of my Top 5 favourite salads. You don’t need any salad dressing for this salad. I only use some good quality Olive Oil, Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper. The sweetness and sourness from Canned Beetroots, and saltiness of delicious Fetta Cheese are good enough when combined with Baby Spinach. So easy! …
My son didn’t eat vegetables when he was young. I used to make Hamburger Steaks with lots and lots of vegetables finely chopped up and mixed with minced meat. That way he ate any vegetables without knowing he was eating them. This mixture can be formed into round patties and cooked in a frying pan, …
‘Chikuwa’ is a tube-shape Japanese fishcake. ‘Chikuwa’ is made from Surimi (fish paste) and it is suitable for many dishes. Today I added ‘Chikuwa’ to the ‘Wakame & Cucumber Salad‘. Instead of using the traditional dressing, I used Japanese Mayonnaise and Wasabi. Makes 4 Servings Ingredients 1 Continental Cucumber OR 2 smaller ones *about 250g1/4 …
When I buy Celery, I always buy a large bunch with lots of leaves, so that I can cook this stir-fry. Do not waste leaves and thin stalks. This stir-fry is a great topping for freshly cooked rice. It is so tasty, and even my son, who doesn’t like Celery, seems to be enjoying it. …
‘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. This is one of them and it is super easy. Just mix Daikon (White Radish) and ‘Yukari’. You can add other vegetables such as Cucumber, Carrot, Lettuce, Onion, etc. Makes 2 …
This soup is called ‘Kenchin-jiru’ in Japan. It is originally a Buddhist dish and vegan. Vegetable base stock, such as Shiitake Mushroom OR Kombu (Kelp), is used for this soup. It is commonly seasoned with Soy Sauce, but there are many variations these days. Some people prefer seasoning with Miso. Root vegetables are the main …
As I was so happy with my ‘Green Vegetable Soup’, I tried to make ‘Orange Vegetable Soup’ today. The base is Pumpkin Soup, which I am not a big fan of, though my son and daughter love my ‘Pumpkin Soup’. Because of the Tomato I added, this orange colour soup tastes fruity and I love …
This is a perfect lunch on a sunny day, or any day. It’s a salad to use up the leftover cooked Barley. Of course you can cook Barley to make this salad as it is so simple and easy. Use any salad dressing of your choice. Today I used ‘My Buttermilk Dressing’. Makes 2 Servings …
‘Zha Cai’ is Chinese pickled knobby stems of mustard plant. It is fermented just like Korean Kimchi. ‘Zha Cai’ is called ‘Zāsai ‘ in Japan and it is popular. You can make this ‘Mock Zha Cai’ with Broccoli stems. It tastes similar to ‘Zha Cai’ and it is great for drinking! Makes 1 Serving Ingredients …