‘Kamome Shokudō’ is a 2006 Japanese comedy film that is set in Helsinki, the capital city of Finland. It’s a story about a woman who sets up a small cafe serving Japanese-style food. Many delicious-looking foods appear on the film but the Finnish ‘Cinnamon Rolls’ holds the key to attracting the local customers. I started …
On the other day, I cooked Barley with Azuki (Red Bean), trying to create Barley version of ‘Sekihan’ Azuki Rice. I didn’t like the result because it was unexpectedly SWEET even though I added only Salt. Then I remembered this Japanese dessert soup. It’s a variation of Zenzai (Sweet Azuki Soup). This dessert soup is …
When you wanted to east something sweet and warm and comforting, a mug cake is a great option. If you have a microwave, the lovely hot ‘Bread & Butter Pudding’ can be made in a few minutes. Makes 1 Serving Ingredients 1 Egg1 tablespoon Sugar1/2 cup MilkA few drops Vanilla Extract1 slice White Bread *add …
I am from Okayama, Japan. Okayama is famous for its production of fruit, especially ‘White Peach’. Different types of White peaches are available in Melbourne where I live. Different, but they still smell and taste like Okayama’s ‘White Peach’ that I miss. *Note: White Peaches are the best for this dessert, but you can use …
‘Umeshu’ is a Japanese liqueur made by steeping unripe Ume fruits (similar to apricot) in strong alcohol, such as Shōchū, with Sugar. It has quite high alcohol content. Believe or not, I was allowed to drink it when I was a child. It was mixed with plenty of icy cold water, though. This jelly is …
For those who love sweet Azuki (Red Bean) paste, which is a very popular ingredient for many sweets, I introduce a traditional Japanese sweet, ‘Zenzai’. In the region I grew up, ‘Zenzai’ is a sweet Azuki soup, often served with toasted Mochi (Rice Cake). Its smooth version made with ‘Koshi-an’ is called ‘Shiruko’, and I …
Not very keen on Tofu? Please know that Tofu is soy milk. ‘Silken Tofu’ is made by coagulating thick soy milk. It can be used for cooking just like cow’s milk and cream. See my ‘Tofu Cream’ recipe. Once you tasted these delicious chocolate truffles without prejudice, you would love them. Naturally, they can be …
Do you want to eat something sweet, warm and comforting? Try this super easy pudding that can be made instantly. Much nicer than Rice Pudding, which I do not wish to eat. To be able to make this yummy pudding, I always stock a bag of Semolina in my pantry. Makes 2 Servings Ingredients 300ml …
Once you know the ‘Basic Plain Cupcakes’ recipe, you can create a variety of cupcakes by adding extra ingredients. Today I added Matcha Powder to make these delicious Matcha flavoured cupcakes. The cream is ‘White Chocolate Cream’ with Matcha Powder added. Makes 12 Cupcakes Ingredients 125g Butter *softened1/2 cup Caster Sugar2 Eggs1 & 1/2 cups Self-Raising …
By adding extra ingredients to my ‘Basic Plain Cupcakes’, you can create a variety of cupcakes. Today I added White Chocolate and Fresh Blueberries that are in season now. ‘White Chocolate & Blueberry’ is one of my favourite flavours. Makes 12 Cupcakes Ingredients 125g Butter *softened1/2 cup Caster Sugar2 Eggs1 & 1/2 cups Self-Raising Flour1/2 …
‘Oyaki’ is a sort of dumpling similar to ‘Gyoza’ made from wheat flour (or buckwheat flour) dough wrapped around a stuffing that is most commonly vegetables, then cooked on a pan. This time, I made Sweet ‘Oyaki’. The filling for Sweet ‘Oyaki’ can be mashed Pumpkin or Sweet Potato, dried fruit and nuts, or sweetened …
When I was a child, my family’s breakfast was ‘Toast & Hot Drink’, not ‘Miso Soup & Rice’. When we were out of bread, my mother made steamed buns for us. Sometimes she made pancakes, but it seemed steamed buns were the easiest to make for her. She often made ‘Raisin Buns’. I make them …