There is a variety of condiments that are consumed with cooked rice in Japan. ‘Furikake’, the dry sprinkles is one of them. I have introduced some on this website, such as ‘Nametake’ Enoki, Salmon Sprinkles, Nori Tsukudani, Baby Sardines Tsukudani and more. This is another condiment for you to try. Young leaves of ‘Sansho’ (Japanese …
These ‘Muscovado Dates & Walnuts Cupcakes’ can be baked in the oven or even microwaved. But the result is best when steamed. When soft batter is steamed instead of baked, the cupcakes become very soft and tender. That’s why I often love to steam. It’s quicker, too. However, when I took this photo, I did …
I grew up in a subsidised public housing which was a very tiny house with a small back garden, where there was a fig tree. I enjoyed the fresh fig fruit from the tree and my mother used to make fig jam and preserves. This is why fig is always special fruit to me. And …
I love Biscotti, the crunchy Italian sweet ‘twice-baked’ biscuits . Classic Almond Biscotti is my favourite. My daughter made Cranberry & Pistachio Biscotti on the other day and they were absolutely delicious. Do you like Biscotti? Why don’t you try my Japanese inspired ‘Matcha Biscotti’? I usually use Walnuts, but Almonds, Macadamia or Pistachio are …
I used to make these cookies without cinnamon. OriginalIy it was ‘Kinako’, finely ground roasted soy beans, and Muscovado Cookies. One day, my daughter told me that cinnamon would be good to add extra flavour to it. The result was great. 1 teaspoonful of ground Cinnamon really improved the flavour. I admit that my daughter’s …
‘Shira-ae’ is a type of ‘Ae-mono’, Japanese style salad, which is mixed with mashed Tofu. The most common ‘Shira-ae’ is probably Spinach ‘Shira-ae’, but a variety of Vegetables, Mushrooms and Konnyaku (Konjac) are used for this dish. I used Rockets because I have a lot of them in my veggie garden. Please use Spinach if …
Mochi, Japanese rice cake made of short-grain glutinous rice pounded into rubbery chewy paste, is often used for making sweets. With limited ingredients and utensils, this mochi sweet can be actually easily made using rice flour. It takes only ten minutes. Makes 4 to 6 Servings Ingredients Rice Flour 1/2 cupGlutinous Rice Flour 1/2 cupMuscovado …
On the other day, I heard a friend of mine complaining about something I would love. She grows vegetables in the backyard and occasionally gets too much harvest to eat. She was particularly complaining about too much cucumbers. Ahhh… come on! Here is an Asian flavoured ‘Miso Dip’ that would help her to snack a …
There is a traditional Japanese sweet snack called ‘Karinttō’ which I love always. It’s a deep-fried sweet biscuit sticks coated with unrefined dark brown sugar same as muscovado. I have never made ‘Karinttō’ but this easy-to-make ‘Muscovado Coated Nuts’ are even tastier than ‘Karintō’ and healthier. However, I always make a small amount at a …
I love Tofu and all soy bean curd products, but I never knew Chinese style firm tofu until I first tried it in Australia. I love it especially ‘Organic Firm Tofu’ that are available from ALDI stores. Japanese Tofu are all wonderful for soups and salads, but sometimes they are too soft and delicate especially …
On the other day I bought very smooth-textured Carrots from an ALDI store. They were so sweet and made this simple salad absolutely delicious. I usually add small amount of Sugar to this salad, but you may need no Sugar at all if the Carrots are sweet. Makes 4 Servings Ingredients 2 large Carrots *sliced …