As I had a small amount of leftover Roast Chicken, I made this Vietnamese inspired noodle salad for lunch today. I used Capellini (Angel Hair Pasta), an Italian Pasta. You can use Rice Vermicelli OR Japanese ‘Somen’ Noodles instead, but I love Capellini the best. Because I love its texture, it is inexpensive, and easy …
Korean Food has become very popular in Melbourne where I live. There are very many Korean Restaurants. Bulgogi is one of the popular dishes, and local supermarket stores are now selling Bulgogi Sauces. Well… it is not hard to make. I believe my Bulgogi Sauce tastes better than store-bought ones. You need Gochujang (Korean Spicy …
‘Mazegohan’ is a Japanese dish of Rice. Rice and other ingredients are cooked separately, and mixed together after they are cooked. This dish looks like a fried rice, but it is not fried. It is easier to cook a large amount for your family, and healthier than fried rice. Add any vegetables you have that …
The other day I tried to make a Caesar Salad using Wombok, which is a very watery vegetable. When I just mixed Wombok with Caesar Dressing, it was not very a tasty salad. And the salad needs to be served immediately, otherwise a lot of water comes out from Wombok. This is how I made …
‘Kōya Dōfu’ is freeze-dried Tofu, originated in the mid 16th century Japan. It looks like a hard dried sponge. Today I simmered it with Chicken and Vegetables in the soy sauce flavoured soup. If you are Vegan, omit Chicken and use plant-based soup stock. This is a very comforting dish to enjoy on a cold …
Hummus is one of my favourite dips. I often add an extra ingredient to it. For example, mashed Roasted Pumpkin is a great addition. Roasted Carrot is also very nice. Today I cooked a Carrot to make this dip but it was worth it. The sweet caramelised Carrot adds a lovely flavour to Hummus. I …
I have been repeatedly cooking this thick and comforting Udon and Vegetable Soup recently. This dish is based on my ‘Monk’s Vegan Soup’ that is called ‘Kenchin-jiru’ in Japan. It is 100% plant-based soup, and it would taste better if you use more variety of ingredients. Thickening the Soup with Potato Starch is optional, but …
Japanese Macaroni Salad can be made with any short pasta, but Spaghetti are popularly used. There are products of Dry Spaghetti that are already cut short, ready to use for salads. But you don’t need such products as you can snap Dry Spaghetti easily. This salad can be a great side dish, but I actually …
‘Asazuke’, Japanese Quick Pickled Vegetables, is very popular. It can be prepared quickly and easily, but many people use store-bought brine called ‘Asazuke No Moto’. ‘Asazuke’ can be prepared with Salt only, but it taste much better with some additional ingredients that adds Umami. This is how I make ‘Asazuke’. It is a great side …
‘Yakisoba’, Japanese stir-fried noodles, is seasoned with ‘Yakisoba Sauce’, that can be made with Soy Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce and Oyster Sauce. Sometimes, I prefer the flavour similar to the Chinese takeaway’s stir-fried noodles. Today I used Soy Sauce and Oyster Sauce only. I added a little Asian Chicken Bouillon Powder, and it tasted just like …
This is my favourite salad recently and I have been making it frequently. Today I made it again. As soon as my husband saw it, he slouched to show his disappointment, and I heard him muttering ‘Again?’ Well, I think it is delicious and nutritious, it is so easy for me to make, and it …
Today is March 22, 2025. It is my mother’s birthday and she turned 90 years old. She is still fit and mentally very sharp. She is living alone in the family house in Japan, still cooking every day, and sharing what she cooks with neighbours and family members. When I was a child, my family …