The popular French cake ‘Friand’ is well known as ‘Financier’ in Japan, and they are usually baked in the shape of Bar of Gold. ‘Financier’ means ‘Financial’, and that’s why ‘Financier’ cakes are in that shape. I don’t have such specialised tins, so I bake them using muffin tins. Makes 8 Cakes Ingredients 100g Butter …
There is an old Japanese sweet called ‘Matsukaze’ (Wind in the Pines) that has hundreds of years history. And there is a Chicken Mince dish that looks like the sweet ‘Matsukaze’. This Chicken Mince dish is often prepared for the New Year celebration. I don’t have a large square pan, I bake it in the …
‘Pickled Chrysanthemum Turnips’ is called ‘Kikka Kabu’ (菊花かぶ) in Japan. It is often prepared for the New Year celebration. Small Turnips are prepared and pickled so that they look like Chrysanthemum Flowers. You can use Red Radishes, too. They are just pickled in a simple marinade, but they look pretty, don’t they? Makes 4 Servings …
Savoury rice sprinkles are called ‘Furikake’ in Japanese. There are loads of ‘Furikake’ products available from stores in Japan, but the most popular No.1 is ‘Marumiya’ brand’s ‘Noritama Furikake’, that is ‘Nori & Egg Sprinkles’. You can make ‘Nori & Egg Sprinkles’ at home, and it is easy to make. And most importantly, you use …
If you have some leftover ‘Tarako’ OR ‘Mentaiko’ (Salted Pollock Roe) and looking for a way to use it up, try this super simple stir-fry. ‘Umami’ and saltiness, and also spiciness if you use ‘Mentaiko’, come from the Salted Pollock Roe, what you have to do is just stir-fry. This dish is perfect to eat …
These noodle-like thin omelette strips are called ‘Kinshi Tamago’ (錦糸卵) in Japan. It is a decorative way to add Eggs to a dish. We use it for many dishes. I usually don’t season it but sometimes add a small pinch Salt. If you like Japanese cuisine, you may wish to know how to cook it. …
I cook Teriyaki Chicken quite often. It is a very popular dish for Bento Lunch among my family members. I sometimes add grated Ginger to it for an extra flavour. If I add a little bit of Garlic as well, they might get complaints from other hungry staff members, because the smell of the Teriyaki …
‘Tarako’ is salted Pollock Roe. When it is salted with Chilli, it is called ‘Mentaiko’. They are quite popular in Japan and used for many dishes. Today I added ‘Mentaiko’, that is salted with Chilli, to my favourite ‘Abura-age & Carrot Takikomigohan’. It was DELICIOUS!!! Makes 4 Servings Ingredients 2 cups (*180ml cup) Japanese Short …
Pollock is a fish of Cod family. Salted Pollock Roe is called ‘Tarako’ in Japanese. When Pollock Roe is salted with Chilli, it is called ‘Mentaiko’. Both are very popular in Japan, and they make a great sauce for Spaghetti. Outside Japan, we only can find frozen ‘Tarako’ OR ‘Mentaiko’. If you could find them, …
I cooked Mixed Grain today. Because I added some Black Rice, it turned purple. I was planning to make a Rice Salad, but the colour of the Mixed Grains reminded me my ‘Cuban Black Beans’, and I ended up making this salad. Because it was so good, I am now writing down how I made …
A Japanese dish ‘Datemaki’ is often prepared for the New Year celebration. It is basically a rolled Omelette. Fish OR Prawn paste is mixed with Eggs. Even though it is a savoury dish, ‘Datemaki’ is usually seasoned with a lot of Sugar. Store-bought ones are too sweet for me. My recipe is not too sweet. …
‘Stir-fried Garlic Chives and Eggs’ is a very popular dish in north Asia. I simply cooked it with Spaghetti, and seasoned with Soy Sauce. Pancetta OR Bacon can add nice flavour and saltiness. It’s super easy to cook, nutritious and delicious! Makes 1 Serving Ingredients 1 serving Spaghetti2 EggsSalt & Pepper40g Pancetta OR Bacon *cut …
Here is another great dish for drinking. Of course it is great with freshly cooked rice, too. You can use Canned Soy Beans, but I like crunchy Edamame Beans better. The coating of Potato Starch is the key to the scrumptiousness. Do not omit it. Makes 4 Servings Ingredients 1 cup Edamame (Young Soy Beans) …
My family’s favourite ‘Asian Mushroom Takikomigohan’ can be even tastier and more nutritious with Abura-age (Fried Thin Tofu). If you are Vegan, use plant-based stock such as Shiitake Dashi OR Kombu (Kelp) Dashi. This rice and a refreshing salad would make me a perfect meal. Makes 4 Servings Ingredients 2 cups (*180ml cup) Short Grain …
Christmas has passed and now I have some leftover Dried Mixed Fruit. What would you make with it? Cake, Cookies, OR add it to your Granola? Today I baked Biscotti for the first time in a long time to use up the leftover Dried Fruit. Makes 24 to 28 Biscuits Ingredients 1/2 to 1 cup …
