Soybeans

I love soybeans, because they are versatile.

How many people know soybeans are considered 'meat in the field' in old style of Japanese saying? Non-fermented, fermented products are everywhere in Japan. We can definitely say soybean and Japanese culture are inseparable!

Let me tell you some of the major products here.

Tofu(bean curd), Tofu Skin(bean curd ski), soy milk are the main non-fermented foods.

On the other hand, the miso paste of miso soup, soy source, natto are major fermented products. As you may have been read at least from the health article, soy beans are enriched with protein! Full of protein!! Also, iron, calcium, magnesium... sounds interesting to you?

Nikujaga

This is one of my favorite dishes to cook. Such a comfort dish in a chilly day, well, to be honest, any season! This plain, looks like a stew is called “Nikujaga”. It is like a Japanese style of Stew I would say, dish of simmered vegetables and beef.  

Ingredients are very simple. Potatoes, carrots, beef and onions.

It goes perfectly well with rice.

Yield: 2 servings

Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

·         1/2 lb sliced beef

·         3 potatoes (each cut into 8 pieces)

·         1 carrot, chopped

·         1/2 onion, sliced

Spices

·         2 tbsp sake

·         2 tbsp soy sauce

·         1.5 tbsp sugar

·         2 tbsp mirin

Preparation

1. Heat oil in a pan with medium heat, and grill beef first.
2. Add rest of the vegetables, toss it together. Add sauce ingredients and mix together for 5 mins.
3. Simmer 15 minutes over medium-low heat
4. Serve in a bowl and enjoy!

Summer Salad

This is a super easy, simple and fresh summer salad.

I love this salad SO much! I love this grilled white meat and fresh vegetables combo with lemony herb dressing. This very healthy salad is perfect for your busy weekday night.

Serving 2 / Total 30mins

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds Kidney beans,

1lbs White/light meat – grilled

2 Tomatos
2 Cucumbers

Dressing:

3 tbsp lemon

3 tbsp olive oil

1 small garlic grated

1 pinch of salt

A bit of fresh ground black pepper

10 basil herb, chopped

1. Grill chicken, cut in a chunk
2. Boil beans and set aside
3. Chop tomatos,
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and season with salt. Whisk until smooth
5. Pour dressing over vegetables and toss well, set aside for 15mins

Ginger Pork

Thinking about what to make tonight? I have the easiest and delicious recipe for you!

If you like Japanese food, I know you know this dish! Yes. This is one of the most popular Japanese pork dishes.  Pork grilled with grated ginger sauce. I must say, I love this sauce. Sauce is made with the combination of grated ginger, soy sauce, mirin, sake and sugar. Very Japanese style. It is a bit similar to Teriyaki sauce, but not as sweet as Teriyaki sauce and more gingery ;)

Prep:

·         7oz(200g) thinly-sliced pork loin

·         2 tbsp ginger, grated

·         Salt and Black Pepper

·         1 Tbsp sesami oil

·         3 Tbsp soy sauce

·         2 Tbsp mirin

·         2 Tbsp sake

·         1 tbsp sugar

1 ) Grate ginger root. In a bowl, combine ginger, say sauce, mirin, sake and sugar.
2) Season the meat with a bit of salt

3) Heat a pan with medium heat and add sesame oil, then place the pork in a single layer until it gets to beautiful golden brown.
4) Add the sauce and cook for a few minutes.

5) Serve with lettuce 

Happy Thursday!

Birthday Party

Birthday Party

We had Dona’s birthday party at Tommy Bahama restaurant.

I love love love this place! Ideal place for any occasions! Lunch, Dinner, Happy hour. Food is delicious, atmosphere is relaxed and lively. We had coconut shrimp ,tacos, and mango and roast beef salad. And of course, cocktails!  We share everything. It turned out to be a wonderful Sunday.

トミーバハマで過ごす休日、今日はドナちゃんのお誕生会

海の潮風が聞こえてくるようなリゾートにいる感覚にどっぷり浸ることができちゃう中で、ココナッツシュリンプ、マンゴーとローストビーフのサラダ、タコスなどなどをいただきました

どのお料理もフルーツや野菜の彩りが鮮やか、かつ新鮮で、カクテルも美味しくって話が盛り上がりました！

お洋服もお気に入りをみつけたのですが、とりあえず、よった勢いで買いそうになるのを我慢しかえってくることに

どうしよっかな〜