This ‘Okra & Natto’ is very popular in Japan. The slimy Okra mixed with slimy Natto makes it more slimy and it can be eaten as it is, but it’s a great topping for Rice, Noodle and Tofu as shown below. My mother used raw Okra, but I like Okra slightly cooked. Makes 2 to …
Here in Australia, more exotic vegetables and fruit are available. Even supermarket stores are selling unfamiliar vegetables and fruit. I often wonder how to cook them and what they taste like. The best thing to do is ‘try them’. Have you cooked garlic shoots before? This vegetable with the garlic flavour is so tasty and …
Chicken Breast or Tenderloin fillets are healthy and nutritious protein. I usually cook them in salted water with some slices of fresh Ginger OR quickly cook in the microwave. When I use them for salad, I always tear into strips instead of cutting or slicing them, but it’s up to you. Makes 4 servings Ingredients …
When I first heard about ‘Kimu-Taku Rice’ which is very popular in Nagano prefecture, Japan, I thought it was related to a Japanese star Kimura Takuya aka ‘Kimu-Taku’ who is an actor and also a member of an idol group SMAP. I was very wrong. ‘Kimu-Taku’ stands for ‘Kimuchi (Kimchi) and Takuan (Japanese pickled daikon …
Shungiku (Edible Chrysanthemum) leaves are available from Asian grocery stores. Shungiku has quite strong flavour which I didn’t like when I was young but I love it now. This salad can be made with Spinach or other green, but this strong fragrant vegetable is the best with this creamy dressing. Makes 4 servings Ingredients Shungiku …
A Korean grocery store nearby sells many ingredients very similar to Japanese ones and I can purchase dried Wakame. The dried Wakame are totally shrunk and look like thin twigs or something, but the volume increases a lot when rehydrated. You would better use small amount. My mother used to use Vegetable Oil for this …
Sugar Coated Almonds are often called ‘Candied Almonds’. They are quite expensive to buy. If you once learned how to make them, you would never buy them from stores because it is easy to make. You don’t need the oven. You only need a frying pan OR saucepan. Non-stick type preferred. This is the most …
When you find some Pears in your fruit basket have turned very ripe and too soft and nearly rotten (but NOT rotten yet), what do you do? I always make them into this cake. This recipe is made for two pears. If you use more pears, naturally you need more cake mixture and a larger …
‘Umeboshi’ are pickled Ume (similar to Apricot) fruits. ‘Umeboshi’ are very sour and salty. For health reasons, less salty ‘Umeboshi’ are becoming more popular. They are usually served as a side dish for breakfast or lunch, and used as filling for ‘Onigiri’ rice balls. They are also used as seasoning, and I think the sourness …
How can I translate a Japanese word ‘Otsumami’ into English? It is not ‘Appetiser’ or ‘Snack’. ‘Otsumami’ is something to nibble often with a drink, which is most likely an alcoholic drink. The other day I needed to make ‘Otsumami’ for an unexpected occasion, and this quick & easy ‘Spicy Almonds’ was perfect. Ingredients 1 …
Minced meat is generally cheaper and quicker to cook, thus it is a great ingredient for everyday meals. This is one of my family’s favourite mince dishes. ‘Soboro’ means crumbled meat and my ‘Soboro’ recipes are perfect for busy families. Makes 4 Servings Ingredients Cooked Rice 1/2 bowl eachBeef Mince 500gDried Sliced Shiitake 1 pkt …
For our famous BBQ on Australia Day, this is my lamb marinade recipe. In Japan, mutton BBQ in Yakiniku style is called ’Jingisukan (Genghis Khan)’ which is totally different from Mongolian mutton BBQ. What is Jinhisukan? (Wikipedia)As mutton meat was not popular in the area I used to live, it was a restaurant dish for …
