Category Archives: Food

笑い, 観光, Food, Food Humor, Japan, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Weird Japan (25): Don’t call the Fireman!

October 3, 2012 dragonlife 2 Comments

i didn’t know why, but my eyes were attracted by this signboard in front of a cheap chain izakaya…..

Don’t call the fireman!
Of course they meant “smoked food”!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

美食, 観光, 魚, Fish, Food, French Cuisine, French gastronomy, French Restaurant, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Spanish Cuisine, Spanish Gastronomy, Tourism

Gastronomic Study Group: Kakishima Rainbow Trout and Japanese Char by Wasabi no Kai Group

September 27, 2012 dragonlife 4 Comments

Wasabi no Kai Gastronomic Group in Central Shizuoka Prefecture was founded about 4 months ago to help promote the Shizuoka Gastronomy with chefs, producers and the media.
We have already held a seminar on Shizuoka Green Tea and visited Kakishima Fish Farm in Fujinomiya City in July and August.
This time three chefs members of Wasabi No Kai Group met at Il Castagno Italian Restaurant in Shizuoka City to demonstrate various ways and methods of cooking Rainbow Trout and Japanese Char/Iwana from Kakishima Farm!

Chef Kenji Inami/稲見謙司さん at Il Castagno Italian Restaurant in Shizuoka City.

Camera-Shy Chef Takeshi Sugiyama/杉山猛さん at Hoteiya Spanish Restaurant in Shizuoka City.

Chef Masahiro Onoda/小野田正浩さんat Caravin French Restaurant in Shizuoka City.

Inside the kitchen!

Taking a sneak peek at the Japanese char!

A magician’s lair!

Taking shape!

The advantage of a photographer/writer is that he/she has first pick at the information and an open door inside the kitchen!

Almost ready!

An eager audience patiently waiting for the creations to come out of the kitchen!
Now, what did we have the pleasure to savor?

Marinated Japanese char by Chef Onoda!
The fish was marinated in salt, soy sauce and mirin at 40 degrees Celsius inside an air-tight pack.
The bottom piece on the left is the same covered with golden and black sesame seeds.

Japanese char smoked with salt and sugar and served with olive oil by Chef Sugiyama!

Japanese char brandade seared under a salamander by Chef Onoda!

Japanese char with home-made cocoa parpadelle and organic vegetables by Chef Inami!
The cocoa powder parpadelle was a discovery!

Rainbow trout with home-made Taglionni and organic vegetables by Chef Inami!

Rainbow trout, Serrano ham and mushrooms risotto by Chef Sugiyama!
If I had to choose one dish, this was the one!

Japanese char poached with its skin, paprika and fresh cepe/porcini in wine, stock and cream sauce by Chef Onoda!

All these local celebrities certainly enjoyed a long talk during and after the demonstration!

The next event will be a visit to a local sake brewery!

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リゾット, レシピ, 美食, 野菜, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Food, French Cuisine, French gastronomy, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

French Gastronomy: Lunch at Hana Hana (2012 Fall) in Shizuoka City!

September 24, 2012 dragonlife Leave a comment

Seared Foie Gras in black truffles sauce on Porcini risotto!

Service: Very friendly and easy-going
Facilities & Equipment: Very clean overall. large superb washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Typical French, Southern French and Italian Fusion gastronomy. Great products. Excellent wine list.

I have known ever so laughing Chef Jirou Hanabata/花畑次郎さん for what seems like an eternity.
It was such a pleasure to meet him again in his cosy restaurant Hana Hana in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

Such a simple and welcoming facade and entrance!

The walls inside are decorated with paintings of Southern France and signed by all kinds of people!

The kitchen and his magician!

A small private corner near the kitchen!

Choose your table according to your priorities!
I usually take one by the bay windows!

Jiro’s cuisine is a happy singing mixture of French, especially Southern, and Italian homey gastronomy.
Generous and so reasonably-priced!
For that long overdue lunch I started with chilled seasonal kabocha vichyssoise soup!

A typical Southern French starter: poelee/sauteed scallops salad!

Enormous scallops cooked to perfection!

Plenty of local vegetables for beautiful balance and colorful design!

The star of the day featured a traditional marriage of French and Italian gastronomies: Sauteed Foie Gras in black truffle sauce atop Porcini mushrooms risotto!

Blast the calories! The foie gras was sauteed to a sublimely unctuous extravagance accentuated by the black truffle (plenty of them) sauce!

The lightly baked risotto! All Italy for you!

Another French classic: Cotes d’Agneau/Lamb cutlets!

So tender and beautifully supported by its deglasse sauce made up of the cutlets juices, Madeira and a touch of butter!

Simple but perfect accompaniment: Southern French Ratatouille!

And at last one of Jiro’s simple but so delicious desserts!

Peach compote and home-made raspberry ice-cream!

Important detail: Coffee as it should always be served, even for lunch!

Looking forward to visit the place again when the weather gets colder to warm myself up!

HANA HANA
420-0037 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Hitoyado Cho, 1-3-12
Tel.: 054-221-0087
Business hours: 11:30~14:00 (LAST ORDERS), 17:30~21:00 (last orders)
Closed on Wednesdays
Credit Cards OK

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レシピ, Croquettes, 美食, 里芋, 農業, Food, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Kabocha, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine

Halloween Kabocha Croquettes

September 23, 2012 dragonlife Leave a comment

Halloween might all be about pumpkins but when it comes to cooking kabocha is far better!
Croquettes are popular all over the world, so why not make some for Halloween!
The witches will make a special brew to drink with them!

INGREDIENTS (for 6 croquettes)

Kabocha: 500g
Milk: 2 tablespoons
Butter: 20g
Honey: 2 teaspoons
Cinnamon powder: a little
Salt: a little
Cheese or Camembert cheese: 20 g
Raisins: 10g

Flour: as appropriate
Egg: 1
Breadcrumbs: as appropriate
Sliced almonds: as appropriate
If you have them dried somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)

RECIPE:

Cut kabocha into rough pieces.
Put inside oven dish.
Cook inside microwave oven for 8 mintes at 700 Watts.
Peel skin off.
Bear in mind kabocha will be very hot when you manipulate it!

In a bowl mash the kabocha.
Add milk, butter, honey, salt and cinnamon.
Mix well.

Separate the paste into 3 identical quantities.
Make two balls with the first quantity around cheese/camembert cheese.
Make two balls with the second quantity mixed with the raisins.
Make two plain balls with the third quantity.

Shape each croquette like a small pear.
Roll them in flour, then beaten egg and then breadcrumbs (or sliced almonds, or dried somen).

Heat oil to 180 degrees Celsius and deep-fy.

Serve 3 different croquettes on a dish and decorate with Italian parsley.

How about the above for a more elegant presentation with croquettes filled qith camemebrt Cheese!

So easy!

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美食, 野菜, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine

Japanese Recipe: Sauteed Vinegared Summer Vegetables (with vegetarian/vegan versions)

September 10, 2012 dragonlife 4 Comments

Summer, and the Fall in the case of Shizuoka. means an enormous supply of fresh vegetables and it would be a shame not to make the most out of it!
The Japanese love to use vinegar, especially rice vinegar and kuro su, black rice vunegar, with many dishes. It basically replaces the role of lemon juice in western cuisines.
Here is a simple recipe that should please all members of the family and also serve as a great snack!
For vegetarians and vegans just ignore the meat!

INGREDIENTS: (For 4 persons)

Meat (pork or beef thinly sliced) 100 g
Cabbage: 4~5 leaves
Carrot: a little
Onion: 1/2
Shishito/thin green peppers: 6
Cucumber: 1 (japanese style. If not use a small one)
Egg plant: 1
Zucchini: One 6-cm long piece
Mini tomatoes: 10
Edamame: a few

Vegetables for flavoring:
Garlic: 1 clove, chopped
Fresh ginger root: One cube (2x2x2 cm), chopped
Leek: 2 tablespoons, chopped
Red chili pepper: 1~2

Others:
Sesame oil: 1 teaspoon
Vegetable oil: as much as needed for frying

Sauce:
Water: 100 ml (1/2 cup)
Soy sauce: 5 tablespoons
Black rice vinegar (“kuro su”): 1 + 1/2 tablespoons
Sugar: 3 tablespoons
Slat: 1 pinch
Cornstrach: 1 tablespoon

RECIPE:

Cut/break cabbage leaves into bite size.
Cut the carrot into strips.
Slice the shishito peppers in halves or quarters lengthwise. Discard the seeds.
Slice the onion into 1 cm thick slices.
Cut the cucumber lengthwise into four strips and slice into bite size.
Cut the eggplant lengthwise and slice into 6 mm thick slices.
Cut the zucchini into 3 mm thick half moon slices.
Cut the red chili pepper in halves. Discrad seeds.
Boil the edamame (unless you can get them in cans) and take beans out.
Slice the meat into bit size.

Bear in mind that vegetables that cook easily should be cut into bits bigger than vegetables that take more time to cook.
Prepare everything beforehand for practicality, easy access and speedy cooking!

Mix the ingredients of the sauce well beforehand.

Pour 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok. drop the finely chopped vegetables for flavoring. When smell comes starting coming out, add meat and fry (skip the meat step if you are vegan/vegetarian and proceed to next step!)

Add and fry zucchini, eggplant and carrot first. If oil becomes insufficient add a little.

Add all the other vegetables and fry.

Add the sauce (stir it again to make sure that the cornstarch has dissolved) and pour over vegetables as oon as they are cooked to your satisfaction. Stir/sautee the lot for 5 seconds. Add sesame oil and stir only once. Pour the whole into serving dish.

Enjoy this Japanese-style Chinese food!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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Barbecue, Brochettes, 美食, 里芋, 観光, 豚肉, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

French BBQ: Japanese Hamburger Lunch at Brochette Restaurant in Shizuoka City!

September 3, 2012 dragonlife 6 Comments

Service: Very friendly and great explanations
Equipment and facilities: Great overall cleanliness. Superb Washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Great use of local meats and Vegetables. Very healthy BBQ and brochettes. Excellent reasonable wine list.

Brochette means “Kushiyaki/串焼き” in Japanese. One could say they mainly serve BBQ-style meat and vegetables on skewers for dinner. But it is not limited to that. They actually serve very reasonable full lunches!

Located along a very busy street in Shizuoka City, it is actually owned by a Driving School Company! Talk about diversifying!

Especially at lunch have a good look at the menu board outside!
But it is always a good idea to reserve as the place gets full within 30 minutes!

Once inside you will be handed very practical menus with photographs and clear price indications!

They also a special bargain lunch for every day of the week!

Brochette is very much a bistro-style establishment with many tables, one private room and 2 seats at a counter.
And it is entirely non-smoking at lunch time!

Chef Yoshinori Yanagisawa/柳沢義憲 ably helped by Sommelier Tomohiro Sugiyama/杉山友啓 prepares food with carefully selected vegetables and meat mainly from Shizuoka Prefecture!

A single look at the refrigerated display will convince you!

I love Japanese-style open hamburgers! They call them “Hambaagu” here!
So I opted for the 100% beef home-made hambaagu steak lunch set at a very reasonable price!

Onion consomme soup and fresh vegetable salad.

French bread and olive oil.
You can ask for plain rice instead.

The open hamburger with a demi-glace onion sauce and three kinds of vegetables served sizzling hot on its thick iron plate!

Not only the Japanese, but any Westerner will love mixing the mashed potato with the delicious sauce!
And it is so reasonable!

Look forward to the dinner report!

FRENCH BBQ/BROCHETTE
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae-Cho, 2-7-12, Takinami Bldg. 1F (along the Egawa Street)
Tel.: 054-252-1700
Opening hours: 11:30~14:30, 18:00~23:00
Reservations highly recommended
Parties welcome (reservation requested from 4 people)
Cards OK (for dinner only)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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美食, 観光, 魚, 農業, Fish, Food, Fujinomiya City, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Iwana, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Rainbow Trout, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, Trout, Trout Farm

Japanese Restaurant: Rainbow Trout & Iwana Trout at Kagetsu in Fujinomiya City!

August 31, 2012 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very kind and discreet
Facilities: Traditional but very clean. Old but clean washroom
Prices: Appropriate~slightly expensive
Strong points: Authentic traditional Japanese gastronomy mainly based on local products, especially fish and vegetables. Excellent sake list.

Last Tuesday after our visit to Kakishima Trout Farm we visited a local Japanese restaurant for lunch which had been recommended to us by Mrs. Izumi Iwamoto as they serve fish raised by her company: Kagetsu/花月!

Before entering the restaurant take a good look at its surroundings!

Traditional entrance.

Let’s have a peek at the little garden outside…

Some of the stones are lava blocks from Mount Fuji!

Intriguing antiques…

Once inside you will be greeted by a big trout!

A very traditional Japanese interior!

Fresh green and white goya/bitter melon from their own garden kindly offered to whomever wants them!

The eight of us had ordered the “o-tsukuri lunch set/sashimi lunch set”.
We were first served chilled red shiso/perilla leaves juice to quench our thirst on this very hot day!

Home-made pickles including white goya.

Chilled tougan/冬瓜/Winter melon.

Iwana/岩魚/Japanese char both as sashimi and cooked (chilled) with its skin!

Deep-fried Nijimasu/虹鱒/Rainbow trout with deep-fried egg plant and salad!

Extravagant fish to deep-fry. Absolutely yummy!

Most of the vegetables come from their own garden, including the mini tomatoes!

Rice and miso soup with plenty of seaweed, even that far from the sea!

For dessert chilled nashi pear with home-made aka kokemomo/赤コケモモ/Japanese cranberries jam!

The restaurant keeps and feeds their own batch of Kakishima Trout Farm fish in a special tank in their garden behind to insure perfect freshness!

KAGETSU/花月
Fujinomiya City, Yatate Cho, 737
Tel.: 0544-23-4141
Opening Hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:00~21:00
Closed on Mondays

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美食, 虹鱒, 観光, 魚, 鱒, Fish, Food, Food Health, Fujinomiya City, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Iwana, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Rainbow Trout, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, Trout, Trout Farm, 岩魚

Rainbow Trout, Iwana Trout & Sakura Trout at Kakishima Trout Farm in Fujinomiya City!

August 30, 2012 dragonlife 2 Comments

Iwana Trout!

Last Wednesday I travelled all the way up to a site 700 meters high on the slopes of Mount Fuji in Fujinomiya City to visit arguably the best Trout Farm in Japan (there are 4 more companies in Fujinomiya City alone!) in the company of Chefs and Farmers from Central Shizuoka Prefecture who have just created a group called “Wasabi No Kai” to promote good food from production to the table!

The Wasabi No Kai” group of chefs (French, Italian and Spanish gastronomy in this case) a wine shop owner and a farmer from Fujieda City in discussion with the the President of Kakishima Trout Farm.

Mrs. Izumi Iwamoto/岩本いづみ!

It was another blistering hot day even in the morning with temperatures in the middle 30’s, but it did not prevent Mrs. Izumi Iwamoto, the 2nd generation owner of Kakishima Trout Farm, to take us on a grand tour of the premises with a wealth of explanations and information!

The fish farm was established 35 years ago in Fujinomiya City (the company has two other farms in Kannami and Izu City with a total of 8 staff) in a spot located at 700 meter altitude on the slopes of Mount Fuji because of the constant access to natural water at a constant temperature around 12 degrees for an ideal environment for fish farming.

One just has to take the water from the abundant waterfalls and streams nearby!

The water is funneled into concrete open-air tanks covered with nets to protect them from birds and falling leaves in particular.

The water goes through nets at the entrance of each tank to filter any debris out.

The water is then allowed to flow constantly through the tanks.

The water is finally released back into the nature.
The water will never be used twice or allowed to stagnate, ensuring the safety of the fish and their meat.
Thanks to this constant help from the nature a great load of the work is taken off the staff’s shoulders who are constantly busy feeding the fish, repairing the nets, cleaning the tanks, clearing the surroundings and what else!

All the nature surrounding the farm is free from any agrichemicals or pesticides which might find their way into the water!

Enormous iwana up to 2 kg apiece!
It takes no less than 2 years to bring such a fish to maturity!

TKaushi Trout Farm breeds Iwana Trout/岩魚/”Rock Fish”, an indigenous Japanese branch of char, Niji Masu/虹鱒/Rainbow trout and a small number of Sakura Masu/桜鱒/Cherry Trout. The annual total production (including the other two farms) is 200 tonnes.

A 2-kg Iwana!

Rainbow trouts!

It is dawn to dusk work, even for Mrs. Iwamoto who had woken up at 5:00 a.m. to feed the fish in the company of her son before welcoming us for her interview!

Not only the fish has to be prepared for delivery (with plenty of ice in summer!) in safe packaging every day but also live to many fishing ponds all over the nation! Actually they are the only company in Japan capable to provide live fighting fish for the pleasure of anglers and gastronomes!

But for all the ideal natural environment and the daily care the main concern is feed!
And 35 years of experience and personal research were certainly not too much.
They used to produce their feed with half of it home-made and half bought, especially Peruvian anchovy.

But due to the price increase and quality decrease of the latter they decided to use Japanese meal (Yaizu bonito for example) for better and safer traceability.
Trouts are voracious fish and they have to be fed every morning!

The feed is a strict and constant mixture of higher quality fish, wheat, vitamins and natural salt.
No shortcuts like oily or fatty components are used to accelerate the growth of the fish.
From this very year all feed is completely natural, even including cocoa husks for polyphenols!
Mrs. Iwamamoto is always carrying a colormeter with her to check the color and leanness of the flesh of their fish!

But even so, nature itself can bring all these efforts to produce extravagant fish to nought: a particularly ferocious typhoon carried away or killed all the fish two years ago!

Iwana Trout at Kagetsu Restaurant in Fujinomiya City!

Kakishima Trout farm fish are gaining a greatly deserved celebrity in our Prefecture and are recognized as Shizuoka Prefecture Agricultural Products by the Government and gastronomic restaurants are hurrying to better know and acquire their fish!
Expect to find their fish in coming reports on local restaurants!

KAKISHIMA TROUT FARM Co.

Office: 419-0115, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tago Gun, Kannami Cho, Shinden, 125-1
Tel.: 055-970-3031
Fax: 055-970-3032
Mobile: 090-6942-3438 (Mrs. Izumi Iwamoto)
Mail address: izumi_iwamoto@kakishima-troutfarm.com

Main Farm: 418-0108 Shizuoka Prefecture, Fujinomiya City, Inozo, nakamura. 495-1
Tel.: 0544-52-0181
Fax: 0544-52-0216

HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

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美食, 野菜, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Pasta, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Takuan

Takuan Recipe: Japanese Cold Takuan Pasta (with Vegan Version)

August 20, 2012 dragonlife Leave a comment

Takuan in Japan is usually eaten at the end of the meal with rice and miso soup, but there are ways to accomodate it Western-style!
Here is a suggestion for a cold pasta recipe for a light refreshing dish during the summer heat.
As for a vegan version use vegan pasta!

INGREDIENTS: (for 2 people)

Pasta (or vegan pasta): 200 g
Takuan: 50 g (cut into thick filaments)
Cucumber: 100 g (cut inot thick filaments)
Salted konbu seaweed: 20 g (cut into thick filaments)
Roasted sesame seeds: A little

RECIPE:

Boil the pasta to your liking in 2 liters of water and 1 tablespoon of salt.

Prepare aside the takuan and cucumber (small and crunchy Japanese style) cut into thick filaments and salted konbu seaweed.

Transfer the boiled pasta into a bowl full of icy water.
Drain well.

In a bowl drop the pasta, takuan, cucumber and seaweed and mix well.
Note: Use your imagination if you want to add taste and seasoning but keep in mind you don’t need any more salt!
Suggestions: sesame oil, umeboshi meat, gomadare/sesame dressing, etc.

Serve in a plate and sprinkle wit roasted sesame seeds!

For more color and taste you could add thinly cut pimento!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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美食, Eggplants, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Vegan, vegetables, Vegetarian cuisine

Vegan Japanese recipe: Fried and Marinated Eggplants with Paprika

August 14, 2012 dragonlife 6 Comments

Vegan cuisine can be a very easy concept making the best out of simple and tasty ingredients!
here is another simple way to accomodate eggplants the Japanese way!

INGREDIENTS: (for 2~3 people)

Eggplants: 3^4
White wine vinegar (or Japanese rice vinegar): 1 tablespoon
Paprika powder: as much as you want!
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon

RECIPE:

Clean the eggplants. Wipe them and cut them into one bite pieces.

In a pan pour olive oil. Heat the pan over a low fire.
Throw in all the eggplants.
Fry until heat has penetrated the eggplants well. Add teh vinegar.
Cover with a lid and cook over medium fire until the greater part of water/sauce has disappeared.

Transfer into a recipient Let cool down. Keep inside therefrigerator.
Serve chilled sprinkled with plenty of paprika powder!
Naturally you can add color and taste served topped with fresh herbs!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, 47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

美食, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Fish, Fish Markets, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Seafood & Agricultural Products at Shizuoka Ryuutsuu Auction Market

August 13, 2012 dragonlife 2 Comments

This morning I had the occasion to visit for the second time only in no less than 36 years the Shizuoka Ryuutsuu Auction Market (real name. Shizuoka Gyouichi/静岡魚市!
It is very similar to Tsukiji Market in Tokyo, on different scale naturally, but still really big as it serves a Prefecture population of nearly 4,000,000 souls!

The reason I visited the market as early as 7:00 after the actual auctions was that I had to apply for a filming permit from the city officials (the place is directly supervised by the local government) on behalf of a TV crew dispatched at the end of this month by 3 Sat.online/NANO, a big German TV Channel.

Small restaurant on the second floor.

Actually the whole is strictly supervised by the city.
Casual visitors are allowed in. Full stop.
Casual buyers are not allowed in. Full stop.
Filming, albeit very restricted requires an official permit from the city.
Even so, you certainly need the right connections!
Mind you, we only got a permit to film Chef Shibata buying his ingredients at the market. Actual auctions taking place between 5:0 and 6:00 a.m. are simply no man’s land!

Chef Susumu Shibata/柴田算 and Mr. Yasushi Imaizumi/今泉康, the gentlemen who made it possible!
But I do have the right connections…LOL

The place is big and a lot of heavy machinery is needed for quick transport of goods.
You had better watch your back atually as there is always a danger of being run over. Honestly!

Since I had been allowed in I took the opportunity of taking (unauthorized?) pictures of the goods dealt with inside!

I started with the fish and seafood area where authorized visitors can make their purchases after the auction.

Buyer and seller haggling?

Frozen tuna, probably Albacore/Binnaga・ビンナガ a species typical of Shizuoka Prefecture!

The tails are always cut before the auction for quality check!

The heads, tails and bones are also on sale!

Cuts ready to be delivered!

Still frozen pieces have to cut with a saw!

But the best morsels are cut by hand!

Beware the Marlin/Kajiki/カジキ/’s sword!

The Japanese eat all kinds of shell fish: Pen shells/Tairagai/タイラガイ!

Enormous oysters/kaki/牡蠣!

Whelks/Tsubogai/壺貝!

Snow crabs from the North of Japan!

Horse mackerel/Aji/鯵！

Small Black Back Sardines/Seguro Iwashi/背黒鰯!

Ika Soumen/いかそうめん/Cuttle Fish cut in fine strips!

A true Japanese delicacy! Herring roe on seaweed/Ko mochi konbu/子持ち昆布!

A Shizuoka specialty: Splendid Alfonsino/Kinmedai/金目鯛!

Delicate small seabreams/Kodai/小鯛 and Tongue Soles/Shitzbirame/舌平目!

Salmon/Shake/鮭!

I then went to have a peek at the agricultural products on sale!

Boxes, boxes and more boxes…!

“White” bitter melon/Shiroi Goya/白いゴヤ!

Paprika/パプリカ!

Rare Hasuimo/ハスイモ!

Hoped you enjoyed the visit!

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Japanese Traditional Izakaya: Shibata in Shizuoka City (part 1)

August 9, 2012 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly and attentive. Great conversations in store!
Equipment and facilities: Traditional but very clean.
Prices: Appropriate.
Strong points: Seasonal hunting food. Great fish, both raw and cooked. Mainly local food. True traditional izakaya.

Shibata, in spite of a long history spanning over more than 40 years, is what we call in Japan a “kakureya/隠れ屋/a “secret place”!
Chef Susumu Shibata/柴田賛さん used to serve mainly sushi but he recently took the sushi mention off and is having a great time serving anything from globefish/fugu/河豚 sashimi to wild boar and venison brought by friend hunters!
I had the occasion to visit again last week as he is helping me and a German TV crew get some really unusual foods for a special reportage (next article!).

His izakaya is located away from the crowds in downtown Shizuoka City and the sign does help you find it in the middle of the night.

You wouldn’t know his place is so famous among true gastronomes judging from the modest entrance!

The place might be old, but it’s clean and Chef Shibata is always smiling and ready for some good talk!

The glass display formerly used for sushi will show an array of varied seasonal and traditional foods.

Plenty of fish in wait!

Deep-fried ko-dai/小鯛/small seabream as an appetizer with the first drink!

That time it was more about talking about and preparing the next event than delving into a long meal but we took the opportunity to enjoy some great fugu/河豚/globefish sashimi!

My friend asked for the same but served on ice!

And we had the same fish fried as tempura!
Actually, people here very often prefer to eat it this way!

Served with Chef Shibata’s special seasoning!

Most of the fish is local and served the traditional way as opposed to minuscule servings found up in Tokyo!

The same fish, Maaji/真鯵/True Horse mackerel from Kurasawa near Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Alright, this is only the first episode!
Look forward to the next one!

SHIBATA/しばた
421-2223 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Kmaiashiarai, 2-7-28
Tel.: 0909221702, 0542-469-412
Opening hours: 17:00~23:00
Closed on Thursdays

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Sweet Potato Croquettes: Japanese Recipe

August 2, 2012 dragonlife 10 Comments

Croquettes (called “korokke/コロッケ in Jaoanese), especially made with potatoes (versions made with thick white sauce are also very popular) must be one of the most celebrated comfort foods all over the world.
I don’t exactly know when they first appeared in Japan but people here certainly consume them with a vengeance! I stopped counting books and magazines entirely dedicated to the delicacy in this country!

Now, sweet potatoes (satsuma imo/薩摩芋 in Japanese) offer a very interesting variation and should be appreciated by all members of a family with the added sweetness!

Sweet potato croquettes/Satsuma Imo No Korokke/薩摩芋のコロッケ!

INGREDIENTS: (for 2 people or 8 small croquettes)

Sweet potato: 1 (200 g)
Chicken breast: 80 g (after having taken skin and fat away)
Onion: 50 g (finely chopped)
Salad oil: 1 tablespoon (for frying)
White sesame seeds: as appropriate
Egg: 1 large
All-purpose flour: 2 tablespoons
Black pepper: a little
Salt: a pinch
Soy sauce: 1 teaspoon
Sesame oil: 1 teaspoon

RECIPE:

Cut away both tips of the sweet potato.
Wrap it in a wet kitchen paper towel.
Cook in a microwave oven at 600 W for 4 moinutes and 20 seconds to soften it.
You may do this inside a steamer, too.

Peel the potato and mash it in a bowl.
You may want to leave out a few solid bits for a better bite that you will mix with the whole later.
Keep the mashed potato aside in its bowl.

Chop the chicken breast finely.
If you haven’t done it yet, chop the onion finely.
You may chop them together.

Heat a frypan. Heat the oil. Fry the onion and chicken together.
Once the heat has penetrated the meat and onion add some salt and pepper (not included in ingredients above) to your preference. Add soy sauce and fry until the chicken and onion are properly cooked. Do not overcook!
Let cool down for a while.

In the bowl containing the mashed potato add the cooked chicken and onion, the flour, the salt, the black pepper, the egg and the sesame oil. (You may add spices of your liking then!)
Mix the whole well.

Divide the mixture into 8 equal quantities.
Spread oil on the palm of your hands and make 8 patties of similar size and shape.
Flatten them a bit for equal cooking.

Coat one face only with sesame seeds.

Pour some oil on a frypan.
Fry croquettes sesame-coated face down first.

Cook for a little while. Cover with lid. When the bottom face is cooked to a nice brown color (lifting up the lid from time to time is no problem!) turn over and continue frying.

To check if yor croquettes are properly cookd, press their middle with a finger. The finger shouldn’t sink easily.

Place croquettes on kitchen paper to absorb excess oil.
Serve them as soon as possible as they are.
No need for sauce or extra seasoning!

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Croquettes: Japanese-Style Recipe

August 1, 2012 dragonlife 10 Comments

Since I’m planning to run a series of recipes on potatoes and sweet potatoes, I thought it would be a good idea to first re-introduce the Japanese basic way of preparing Croquettes or “Korokke” as they say in thos country!

Here is the basic recipe prevalent in restaurants and homesteads.
Naturally it can be expanded and modified at will.
I will not bother you with measurements this time as the method is the point of this posting!

INGREDIENTS:

-Potatoes (you will have to decide which variety! In Japan, “Danshaku” are best!)
-Onion
-Minced meat (of your choice!)
-Salt and pepper
-Flour (of your choice)
-egg
-Milk
-Breadcrumbs (fresh if possible)
-Oil
-Lard (skip if you don’t like, but a pity!)

RECIPE:

-Boil the potatoes with their skins.
Peel the skins off just out of the water when very hot. This way, the potatoes will not be too wet.

-Mash the potatoes roughly with a wooden spoon/spatula. Add salt and peepper and mix roughly. Cover with cellophane paper to keep the potatoes warm as long as possible.

Chop the onions finely and fry in lard if possible for better taste. If you don’t like lard, use oil. You could add chopped garlic and small pieces of bacon.
Add minced meat of your choice. Season with a little salt, pepper, sugar and soy sauce according to you preferences. Fry until the minced meat is cooked.

-Add the mashed potatoes. Mixing them all atogether at the same time fry until potatoes have become dry enough.
Let cool completely and transfer to a storage dish. Cover with cellophane paper and leave overnight in the refrigerator to allow taste to permeate the potatoes. This is an important point as not only it will enhance the taste but make the croquettes easier to shape.

-Spread a little oil over your palms and shape croquettes to you preffered size.

-Roll in flour and “shake” croquettes so that not too much flour adheres to them.

-Prepare (you might better do that first, LOL) the croquettes egg dip by mixing beaten egg, flour and milk to your preference.
Dip the croquettes in the batter completely.

-Roll the croquettes in the breadcrumbs.
One way to make breadcrumbs is to use real bread which had turned completely solid, soften it in milk, let it dry again and crush it into powder!

-Deep-fry croquettes at 170 degrees Celsius until they have reached a colour of your liking.
As everything is already cooked inside, don’t worry if they are not enough cooked.
Point: add a little sesame oil to your frying oil for extra taste.

There are all kinds of sauce and decoration you cane serve croquettes with, unless you like them plain with a little mustard for example.

Here is a little suggestion for good taste and appetizing presentation:
Prepare a light white sauce/bechamel in the aurora style sauce with plenty of white pepper and boiled green peas.

Don’t they look nice like that!

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Vegan Japanese Recipe: Japanese-style Sweet & Sour Eggplants

July 26, 2012 dragonlife 8 Comments

Eggplants or Aubergines or Nasu/茄子 in Japanese are a very popular vegetable in Japan whose people have many recipes of their own that would satisfy many vegans and vegetarians worldwide.
These recipes are simple and the ingredients should be easy to obtain!
Sweet & sour sauces basically originate from China but Japan has its own versions, albeit lighter in texture and taste!

Japanese-style Sweet & Sour Eggplants

INGREDIENTS: (for 2 people)

Eggplants: 2~3
Freshly grated ginger: 1 tablespoon
Green shiso/perilla: 5 leaves
Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons
Sugar: 1 and a half tablespoons
Salad oil: 1 large tablespoon and a little
Golden sesame seeds: as appropriate

RECIPE:

Take off stem part and cut eggplants lengthwise in four. Clean under running cold water. Wipe off all water with kitchen paper.

In a skillet pour the oil and fry the eggplants until they have attained a nice color.

In a large bowl drop the soy sauce, grated ginger and sugar. Mix well. Add the shiso leaves finely cut in thin strips. mix quickly.

Add the fried eggplants in the bowl. Stir them gently as to cover them completely. Let soak them in for at least 5 minutes. The fact that the eggplants are hot will melt the sugar and help them absorb the sauce.

Place the eggplants in a dish. Pour all the sauce on top and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
The Japanese eat such a dish in summer at room temperature.
Great snack with beer!

Here is a variation with the same ingredients with mini tomatoes and shishito hot chilies added for more color and presentation. And taste, of course!

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