Zanzai

Best Dessert to cool off

Prep:overnight | Total:4h(over night+4h)

shiratama ball:
1/2 box(16 ounce)shiratamako(rice flour)
2/3-3/4 cup water

For topping azuki paste
8-ounce package azuki beans
2 cups sugar
1/2 tspn salt
++ if you are having a busy night, buy azuki(red bean)paste

Prep:before you go to bed
WASH azuki beans
COVER with water, let stand overnight


DRAIN water, replacing with five times water compares with the amount of beans, bring to boil
COVER and simmer about 2 hours until beans become tender. Adjust the water if there is still too much---in the end, we need to make it as paste
ADD sugar and cook about 1 hour, stirring occasionally
ADD salt and cook 10 additional minutes

meanwhile
PUT shiratamako in a bowl
ADD water gradually and KNEAD well, make a stiff dough
MAKE small balls
BOIL enough water in a large pan and add balls
SEE balls float, keep boiling few more minutes
REMOVE the balls and cool in cold water
DRAIN and serve balls in individual bowls and top with azuki bean paste

Hiyashi chuka

Hiyashi Chuka
beat the summer heat!
-- cold noodles with lots of healthy toppings on top

prep: 5min | total: 40min

3 servings
Chukamen noodle

for topping
1 cucumber julienned
1 tomato chopped
1/4 lb strips of ham
2 eggs beaten

for dressing
1/3 cup water
3 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp ginger
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp toased sesame seeds

for egg
2 eggs
1 tbsp mirin
1/2 tea sp sugar
1/4 tea sp salt
1/4 tea sp dashi powder

MAKE egg topping
HEAT some oil in a skillet and pour about 1/3 of the egg mixture in the skillet
SPREAD the egg thinly and fry until done
MAKE three thin omelet like crapes
SLICE the omelets into thin strips

MIX all the dressing ingredients
BOIL enough water in a large pot and boil chukamen noodles
BOIL about 3-5min according to the package instruction
DRAIN and cool the noodles in cold water
DRAIN well
SERVE noodles into individual plates
ARRANGE cucumber, ham, egg strips on the noodles
POUR dressing on top



Goya Champuru

If you choose a bitter melon(called goya in Japanese) as one of your pre- summer supper ingredients, you are making the right decision! 

I think it’s time to build up our body to fight against summer heat and humidity! Don't you agree?

Have you ever tried goya? If you’re like me, yes. I know how you feel. Well, appearance doesn’t tell us everything.

Goya is actually a heart-healthy food. Originally this vegetable is from Okinawa, in the southernmost prefecture in Japan. And, one of the most major dishes that uses goya is called ‘goya champuru’.  You will find this dish in almost all Okinawa restaurants in Japan. Well, it is probably like margarita pizza in an Italian restaurant, Mongolian beef in Chinese restaurant. Yes, Goya champuru is a staple dish in this region.

I assume everyone who has never heard about this is very curious to know what the weird name of this dish is… I will tell you. It is a combination of goya, tofu and eggs.  The bitterness of goya and mildness of the eggs creates a perfect combination! And for beer!  You will be amazed how much you get addicted to it. If we categorize goya, goya is one of the groups of watermelons, cucumbers and squash.

Everyone knows eggs are your powerful friend rich in proteins, and healthy fats, vitamins, minerals. In the past, eggs were considered to be unhealthy because of the cholesterol amount content. However, lots of researchers have proven that cholesterol in eggs does not directly affect cholesterol in blood level. There are two kinds of cholesterol, HDL (good cholesterol)and LDL(bad choresterol). HDL is good cholesterol helps to remove bad, unnecessary cholesterol from our body. Some other researchers even prove that eating two eggs 5 times a week actually slims down your body. Erica Angyal who is an nutritionist and health consultant of Miss Universe Japan describes eggs as our good partner for our beauty.

Now, let’s talk about goya!

Surprisingly, goya is very low in calories, rich in phytonutrients like antioxidants, fiber, iron and great deal of vitamins! These works well to reduce blood sugar, reduces blood pressure, lowers body temperature, and helps you to maintain balanced body!

Here’s how we make goya champuru.

·         1 goya (bitter gourd)

·         1 block tofu

·         2 eggs, beaten

·         2 tsp soy sauce

·         2 tsp sake

·         salt and pepper

·         sesame oil for frying

Preparation:

1) Cut goya in half in length. Remove seeds with hands.

2) Slice thinly and put them in a bowl, squished with a little bit of salt. This helps to remove bitterness. Let it sit this about 5 minutes. Then wash goya and gently wrap with cotton paper.

3) Pour a tbsp of sesame oil in a pan with scrambled eggs. Stir goya until the color turns into transparency. Then, add tofu and beaten eggs, a little bit of salt and pepper, sake. Stir quickly.

These would be the delightful nutrients for a healthy dinner on weeknights! 

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〜