Tag Archives: Recipes

レシピ, 美食, 野菜, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine

Vegetable Hot Cake Steamed in Rice Cooker/Pancake aux legumes dans un cuiseur a riz

September 26, 2012 dragonlife 38 Comments

Have you ever tried steaming a hot cake/pancake in a rice cooker?
It is easy and certainly healthier than the fried version!
Here is a simple recipe that will help you kids and adults alike to eat vegetables!

INGREDIENTS: For 1 large pancake (to be divided! Don’t fight over it!

Hot cake mix: 1 standard pack
Egg: 1
Milk: 100 ml/1/2 cup
Carrot: 40 g, (finely chopped)
Kabocha: 40 g, (first boiled, cooled and finely chopped)
Spinach: 40 g, (first boiled, thoroughly drained and finely chopped)

RECIPE:

Get everything ready!
Pour the hot cake mix inside the rice cooker dish.
Chop the carrot finely.
Boil or steam kabocha (or cook in a microwave oven) until soft. Let cool down and chop finely.
Lightly boil the spinach. Drain/press out water thoroughly and chop finely.
Break the egg.
Get the milk ready.

Add everything into the rice cooker dish.

Mix everything thoroughly.
Taste and add salt and spices according to your liking.

Set the rice cooker, switch on and cook!

Once cooked take hot cake at once or it will get hard.
Serve it hot or lukewarm.
Serve together with some dressing if desired.

Note: the vegetable choice is endless!

Avez-vous déjà essayé de faire un pancake dans un cuiseur à riz ? C’est possible et certainement plus plus sain que la version à l’huile !

Voici une recette simple qui pourra satisfaire les petits et les grands !

INGREDIENTS: Pour un gros pancake, n’oubliez par contre de le partager !

Mélange à pancake : Un pack

1 oeuf
100ml de lait
40g de carottes finement découpées
40g de citrouille (bouillie ou cuite vapeur, refroidie et découpée finement)
40g d’épinards (bouillis, bien égouttés et finement découpés

RECETTE:

Préparez tout dans des récipients séparés, mettez la mixture à pancake dans le cuiseurà riz. Découpez le carottes finement.

Vous pouvez passer la citrouille au four microondes si vous n’avez pas le temps ni l’envie de la bouillir. Quand elle est refroidie découpez la.

Pour les épinards il faut les bouillir légèrement, faites-les bien égoutter pour qu’il ne renferment pas trop d’eau.

Cassez l’œuf et préparez le lait !

Versez tout dans le pot de la machine

Mélangez soigneusement, goûtez et épicez en conséquence selon votre goût

Réglez le timing du cuiseur si nécessaire et appuyez sur start.

Quand il est cuit, retirez le rapidement sinon il sera trop dur. Servez le chaud de préférence ou un peu tiède.

Bien entendu le choi des légumes est sans limites si ce n’est celle de votre imagination.

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, 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

Must-see tasting websites:

美食, Dessert, Desserts, 野菜, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Sweet Potatoes

Vegan Japanese Dessert: “Daigaku Imo” Sweet Potato

August 17, 2012 dragonlife 2 Comments

Sweet potatoes or Satsuma Imo/薩摩芋 were introduced a long time ago in Japan where they became a mainstay vegetable in winter, especially in the west of Japan where they supplemented rice as a staple food.
Daigaku Imo/大学芋, literally ‘University Potatoes” have been popular with students for times immemorial as not only as a dessert but also as a great snack. In fact, a lot of people prefer them to fried potatoes!

INGREDIENTS: (for 4 people)

Sweet potato (raw): 600 g
Sugar: 90 g
Ground white sesame seeds: 1 teaspoon
Oil: As appropriate

RECIPE:

Peel sweet potatoes.
Cut in long thin slices (thin wedges). Actually cut them into the shape and size of your preference but take in account that the thicker they are, the longer time they will take to fry.
Leave in water for 10 minutes.
Take out of water.
Wipe off all humidity.

Heat oil to 150 degrees. Keep oil shallow enough.
Fry until the sweet potatoes have softened. Do not let them change color then.

Take sweet potatoes out and shake oil off.
Bring the oil to 180 degrees.
Fry the sweet potatoes again until they attain a nice brown color.

While the sweet potatoes are frying pour the water and sugar in a separate pan and heat on a low fire.
Let sugar dissolve completely.
When the rim of the water changes color keep heating gently shaking the pan around. You may use a spatula but proceed gently.
When the syrup has attained a light brown color switch off fire.

Take sweet potatoes out of the oil once cooked. Shake off oil well. Drop the potatoes into a separate bowl.
Add the ground white sesame seeds.
Mix well, taking care not to damage the potatoes.

Coat the potatoes with syrup while hot and let cool down completely inside a recipient slightly coated with oil.

Serve and enjoy!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

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, Dessert, 里芋, 野菜, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Imo, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Sato Imo, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Taro root, Vegan, Vegan Dessert, Vegetarian cuisine

Vegan Japanese Imo Dessert: Satoimo Dango No Mitarashi An/Taro Root Balls in Sweet Sauce

August 8, 2012 dragonlife 2 Comments

Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan is celebrated for its many varieties of Imo/芋/Taro roots from sato Imo/里芋 to
Ebi Imo/海老芋!
It is only natural that we can come up with some succulent desserts to please any priority!

Satoimo Dango No Mitarashi An/Taro Root Balls in Sweet Sauce

INGREDIENTS: For about 15 balls

Sato Imo/里芋/Taro roots: 300 g (frozen: you can get them all year. In season choose them fresh and cook them!)
Rice powder: 60 g
White sugar: 2 tablespoons

For the sweet sauce/Mitarashi An
Soy sauce: 3 tablespoons
Sugar: 4 tablespoons
Water: 4 tablespoons
Cornstarch: as appropriate dissolved in lukewarm water
Ground black sesame seeds: 1 teaspoon

RECIPE:

Thaw the frozen sato imo. Put them inside an oven dish, cover with cellophane paper and cook in microwave oven for 5~6 minutes until they get soft.
For fresh sato imo, boil them first and peel them off (you can also team them)
Mash them finely.

Add one third of rice powder to mashed sato imo and mix well, kneading all the time. Cover with cellophane paper and cook inside microwave oven for 2 minutes and a half. Repeat process twice more.

Make sure that all rice powder has been used. Add sugar and mix well. Cover again with cellophane paper and cook inside microwave oven for 3 more minutes.
Let cool down completely.

Prepare some sweet water with 2 tablespoons of water and 1 tablespoon of sugar.
Make balls with mashed sato imo, wetting your palms with the sweet water beforeahnd.

In a frypan with only a little oil fry balls on both sides util they attain a light brown color. Let cool down completely.

In a saucepan pour the soy sauce, water and sugar. heat until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Add cornstarch dissolevd in lukewarm water and stir until the sauce has become a thick syrup. Take off fire. Add ground black sesame seeds and mix.
Let cool down completely.

Serve the dango/balls topped wipped with sweet sauce.

The kids will love them!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

美食, Eggplants, 茄子, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tomato

Vegan Japanese Recipe: Japanese-style Cold Eggplants & Tomato Antipasti

July 28, 2012 dragonlife 4 Comments

Japanese and Italian influences can be found in this simple antipasti recip!

Japanese-style Cold Eggplants & Tomato Antipasti

INGREDIENTS: (for 3 people)

Eggplants: 3 (400 g)
Tomato: 1 large
Small leek: 1 finely chopped
Ooba or large shiso/perilla : 4 leaves finly cut

For the dressing:
Ground white sesame seeds: 1 very large tablespoon/30 g
Sesame oil: 1 and a half tablespoons
Soy sauce: 3 tablespoons
Sugar: 1 tablespoon
Japanese sake (if not available dry white wine):
Finely chopped fresh ginger: 1 teaspoon
Grated fresh garlic: a ;ittle or as appropriate
Red chili pepper: 1/2, finely chopped

RECIPE:

Cut eggplants in half. Then cut off part of the skin 8to make them easier to eat. Cut each half lengthwise in atrips 5~8 mm thick.

Wet the the eggplants in water. Put them inside a cooking cellphane/vinyl pouch. Fold the pouch so as to have the opening ath bottom. You could also wrap them in cellophane paper.
Cook in microwave oven at 600 W for 1 minute and 30 seconds.
You could also cook them inside a steamer.

Let cool down completely and then chill them inside refrigerator.
If you want to chill them quickly bind the pouch closed and dip it in a bowl full of water and ice.

Put all the sauce ingredients into a bowl. Cover it with cellophane paper and cook in microwave oven for 50 seconds. Let it cool completely and then chill it.

Serving for one person.

Arrange the eggplants on serving dish. Put the tomato thinly sliced and formed into a rose on top.
decorate the eggplants and tomato with chopped leek and thinly sliced shiso.
Pour sauce over the whole as shown in top picyure.

Serve and enjoy with a great beer, cold sake or chilled white wine!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

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

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!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

美食, 野菜, 野菜ジャム, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Jam, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Vegan, vegetables, Vegetarian cuisine, Zucchini

Vegan Japanese Zucchini Jam Recipe

July 23, 2012 dragonlife 4 Comments

Zucchini practically come in season at the same time as eggplants and apart of cooking them together in ratatouille, there pleny of ways to accomodate them to satisfy all culinary priorities.
Moreover, jams should not be a problem for vegans or vegetarians and they do contribute healthy energy!

Vegan Japanese Zucchini Jam!

INGREDIENTS (for about 200 g of jam)

Zucchini: 2 medium-sized green zucchini (for a total of about 200 g). Yellow zucchini and round zucchini are naturaly ok!
Lemon: a large one
Fresh ginger: 30 g
Powder white sugar (or sugar of your choice, but keep color in mind): 100 g
Whole cloves: 2

RECIPE:

Wash the lemon.
Cut the lemon in two.
Press the juice out of one half and keep the juice aside.
Push the cloves into the pressed lemon skin.
Put the the two lemon halves in a gauze pouch and bind/knot the pouch closed.

In a large pan drop all the zucchini thinly sliced (5 mm), fresh ginger chopped into small bits, the lemon juice and sugar. Let soak for 30 minutes.
As for the thinly cut zucchini, it is up you whether to peel them beforehand or not.

Add the pouch containing the spiced lemon skin and cook over medium fire for 25 minutes.

Once the zucchini has got soft take the spiced lemon pouch out.

Reduce the zucchini into a puree with an electric stick mixer.

Taste for eventual rectification!

Jam can be used in many ways:
For non-vegans atop cream cheese.
Vegans shoul also remember it can be used as a sauce! Spread some over steamed vegetables!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Couscous, 美食, 野菜, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, North Africa, North African Gastronomy, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Zucchini

Vegan North African Cuisine: Couscous-stuffed Round Zucchini

July 22, 2012 dragonlife 2 Comments

Zucchini practically come in season at the same time as eggplants and apart of cooking them together in ratatouille, there pleny of ways to accomodate them to satisfy all culinary priorities.

Here is a simple recipe inspired by North African and Southern French gastronomies!
Couscous-stuufed Round Zucchini!

INGREDIENTS (for 2 zucchinis. Please don’t fight over them! LOL)

Zucchinis: 2 of two different colors, about 150 g each
Couscous: 80 g
Water: 200 cc (1 cup)
Dried tomatoes: 2
Mushroom: Brown mushroom, a couple
Onion: 1/4
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
Black pepper: as appropriate
Olive oil: 1/2 tablespoon

RECIPE:

Clean the zucchini

Wrap the zucchini into cellophane paper and cook for 1 mi\ute at 600 KW inside a microwave oven.

While the zucchini cool down chop the dried tomatoes.

Chop the mushrooms in dices.

Chop the onion.
Wash in cold water and drain.

In a pan pour the water, add the dried tomato and mushrooms, the salt. Bring to boil and cokk for a minute or two. Switch off and drain. kep the water for the couscous!

Pour the couscous into a bowl.
Add the still hot water used for cooking the dried tomato and mushrooms.
Cover the bowl with kitchen foil aper and let the couscous absorb the liquid for 8 minutes.

Cut “caps” off the zucchini. Take insides out with a spoon so as to leave “zucchini bowls” about 5 mm thick. Discard the seeds if any. Chop the zucchini fleah finely.

The couscous should be soft enough.
Pour in the olive oil and mix well.

Add the dried tomatoes, mushrooms, chopped zucchini fleah, salt and pepper and mix well.
Naturally you can add spices and chopped herbes of your liking then!

Brush the inside of the zucchini with olive oil and stuff them with the couscous.
Fill the zucchini over the brim!

Pre-heat oven to 230 degrees Celsius and cook for 15 minutes.

Serve immediately or lukewarm.

If you have any coucous filling left just eat it as salad!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

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

Vegan Japanese Dashi/Soup Stock: The Basic Recipe (re-published)

July 20, 2012 dragonlife Leave a comment

So many times have I heard my vegan and vegetarian friends complain about the fact that most dashi/soup stock is not done according to their priorities in Japan, making it impossible for them to enjoy food in this country.
Fortunately, this is a big misconception. Vegan dashi exists and is very easy to make or request.
Now, to make sure that the same friends can savour Japanese food, either at home or with friends, here is the basic ans simple recipe!
Please save or copy this recipe for future reference!

Vegan Japanese Dashi/Soup Stock

INGREDIENTS: (multiply according to demand. This is the minimum quantity!)

Konbu as sold in Japan

Konbu out of its packaging

-Konbu/dried thick dark seaweed: ５ｃｍ×５ｃｍ piece (dry)
-Water: ４００cc/ml
-Japanese sake: 1 tablespoon (don’t worry, the alcohol will disappear upon heating/cooking!)
-Mirin/sweet sake (same comments as above!): 2 tablespoons
-Soy sauce: 2 and a half tablespoons

RECIPE:

Pour the water into a large pan. Drop the seaweed into the water.
Switch on the fire.
The moment bubbles appear on the surface of the konbu, the water will start sucking the its essence in.
At that time add soy sauce, sake and mirin.

Taste from time to time to decide when taste suits you best.
Switch off fire then and take konbu out.
Let cool completely, pour it inside a bottle. Seal the bottle properly and store inside refrigerator.
Use it as soon as possible.

The seaweed doesn’t have to be thrown away. It is edible as it is once cooked!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

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

Vegan Japanese Recipe: Eggplants Agedashi

July 20, 2012 dragonlife 4 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!
Agedashi/揚げだし is atrditional cooking technique in Japan that combines frying/pan-frying/deep-frying/Age-揚げ and a soupstock/dasi-出し.
Check this vegan recipe for Japanese dashi first!

Eggplants Agedashi/nasu Agedashi/茄子揚げだし

INGREDIENTS (for 2~3 people)

Eggplants: 2
Fresh ginger: 1 cut 2×3 cm
Dashi/soupstock: 100cc (1/2 cup)
Soy sauce: 1 + 2/3 tablespoons (25cc)
Mirin/sweet sake if unavailable sake + sugar or dry white wine + sugar): 1 + 1/2 teaspoon (12.5 cc)

RECIPE

Prepare the soup stock in a pan for immediate use later by pouring in the dashi soupstock, soy sauve and mirin.

Do not peel the eggplants.
Cut off both ends and cut in halves.
Then make shallow indents with a shrp knife every 2 or 3 mm. This will not only make the skin easy to eat but also allow all the ingredients to “sink in/imbibe” the eggplants!

Fry in shallow oil at 160~170 degrees Celsius.
Turn them over from time to time.

Fry for 2 minutes so that the eggplants attain a nice color.
Take out of oil immediately.

Place the eggplants in a serving dsh while they are hot (improtant!) and pour the heated dashi aver them.
Place grated fresh ginger on top and serve!

Great with beer!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

美食, 野菜, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Vegan, vegetables, Vegetarian cuisine

Vegan Japanese Recipe: Eggplants Pan-fried with Ground Black Sesame Seeds

July 19, 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!
The present recipe makes use of black sesame seeds, that is roasted sesame seeds!
Apparently they are not so easy to find in Europe, which is a real pity!

INGREDIENTS (for 4 people)

Although we can buy ground black sesame seeds in Japanese markets, buy it whole and grind some just before cooking!
Great taste and flavor and so rich in nutrients!

Eggplants: 6 (long variety)
Ground black sesame seeds: 60 g
Japanese sake: 100 cc (1/2 cup). If unavailable use dry white wine!
Mirin/Japanese sweet sake: 50 cc (1/4 cup) If unavailable use very sweet white wine!
Soy sauce: 1 tab;espoon
Sugar: as appropriate
Water: 100 cc (1/2 cup)
Vegetable oil: as appropriate

RECIPE

Do not peel the eggplants.
Cut lengthwise in four, and then in halves across.
Remember that eggplants absorb oil so do not hesitate to use a lot of the latter!

Fry the eggplants.
When the eggplants have become soft and absorbed most of the oil, first add all the ingredients except the sugar and water. Fry for a while. Add the sugar and keep frying for a while.

Mix well and add the water. Turn the fire low and fry/cook until the juices have become very thick.
Switch off fire and let cool completely.

As this dish is very tasty cold, make a big batch and chill inside the refrigerator!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

美食, 酒, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Izakaya, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, 居酒屋

Japanese Gastronomy Traditions: O-Tooshi, Tsuki-Dashi, First Snack with First Drink at Izakayas

July 18, 2012 dragonlife Leave a comment

Celery and seaweed fried in sake at Yasaitei

Non-Japanese are always surprised to see a light food dish coming automatically with the ifrst drink ordered at most izakayas in Japan.
It is called O-Tooshi/お通し or Tsuki-Dashi/突き出し in Japanese.
It is a tradition in Japan, but misunderstandings may arise as you will be billed for it.
It is not complimentary. In the latter case, the owner or staff will clearly say” Saabisu desu!/サービスです！On the house!”.
Now, why such a tradition, definitely somewhat alien to Westerners?
There are two ways to consider it, the positive way and the negative way.
Like bad and good surprises let me start with the negative way, although I’ve learnt not to be so in this country!

Vegetables, wakame and octopus o-hitashi at Yasaitei

The negative way:

The izakaya can adapt/arrange/recreate leftovers of the previous day/night and serve them for a profit.
It replaces the notorious “cover charge” in clubs and bars.
The unscrupulous izakaya (and that includes big chains in general!) can serve dead cheap food (frozen edamame and the like imported from China) and make an immediate profit especially if the establishement is large and busy.
You may refuse right away the o-tooshi or tsuki-dashi by immediately saying “o-tooshi Katto shite kudasai/お通しカットして下さい！” but you will have to be quick and you will establish a durable tight-fisted reputation among your Japanese friends or colleagues although Westerners might judge you as a sharp guy/lass…
Mind you, there are times when I do feel tp leave the thing untouched and point out later that I didn’t order or eat it, but you must be fluent in Japanese… In any case, I do not patronize such profiteering establishments!

Spicy edamame o-hitashi at Yasaitei

The positive way:

On the other hand, the real and honest, if still driven by economic reasons, purpose is:
First to enable customers to enjoy some food with their first drink while their orders are processed. After all for all the drink you might consume you still have chosen the place for its food (unless you are gravely mistaken!)!
Second, the o-tooshi will give you a very faithful idea of the level and skills of the izakaya (unless you are absolutely unlucky or made yourself a nuisance!).

Grilled kampachi/Amberjack with zucchini and tomato puree at Yasaitei

I personally make a rule to remember and record the o-tooshi served to me at my favorite (and expensive) izakaya and Japanese restaurants. They actually make for great gastronomic study and research. After all, a good establishment will rarely serve the same o-tooshi two days running!

Here are some samples collected in my favorite haunts:

Pan-fried spicy lotus roots and tuna at Hana Oto

Various o-tooshi at Takano

Tuna tartatre at Sushi Ko

Buckwheat tofu with kinako powder at Setsugekka Soba Restaurant

Sake-steamed cockles ar narusei Tempura Restaurant

Seared tuna at Waga

Next time you visit a japanese Izakaya or restaurant you will understand why the first impression is always so important!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

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

Vegan Japanese Recipe: Eggplants Pan-fried with Basil and Amazu!

July 18, 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!
The present recipe is a bit of a crossover between Asia and Europe!
Amazu/甘酢 means sweet Japanese rice vinegar! If you don’t have any use rice vinegar and some honey!

Eggplants Pan-fried with Basil and Amazu/Nasu to Bajiru no Amazu Itame/茄子とバジルの甘酢炒め！

INGREDIENTS: (for 4 people)

Eggplants/Aubergines: 4
Rice vinegar: 30 cc(1/6 of a cup)
Cane sugar: 1 tablespoon
(If you use amazu, count 40 cc~1/4 of a cup)
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
Olive oil: 50cc (1/4 of a cup)
Basil leaves : 5~6 large leaves

RECIPE:

Cut all the eggplants in bite size pieces and fry in olive oil on a low~medium fire.

Fry eggplants until they have softened completely.
Add salt, rice vinegar and cane sugar (or amazu) and keep stirring and frying until juices have completely evaporated.

Once the eggplants have attained a stewed aspect, switch off fire, add finley chopped basil and mix.
Serve hot. Great atop freshly steamed rice!

You can also let it cool down and chill it inside refrigerator for a nice snack to accompany beer!

Once again, so simple!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

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

Vegan Japanese Recipe: Eggplants with Sesame and Soy Sauce!

July 17, 2012 dragonlife 10 Comments

Eggplants in sesame and soy sauce/Nasu No Goma Shouyuu Abura Ae/なすのごま油醤油あえ

INGREDIENTS (for 2 people)

Eggplants: 4 comparatively small
Cornstarch: 2 teaspoons

For the sauce/tare/タレ:
Sesame oil: 1 teaspoon
Rice vinegar: 2 teaspoons
Soy sauce; 2 teaspoons
Leek (finely chopped): 1/4
Chili pepper powder: as appropriate

RECIPE

Peel the eggplants with a peeler

Coat the eggplants with cornstrach.
Steam the eggplants in a steamer or cover the dish with cellophane paper and cook in the microwave oven for 5 minutes.

Mix all the sauce/tare ingredients well in a bowl.

Puncture the eggplants with a thin fork or toothpick.
Leave the eggplants in the sauce bowl.
Turn the eggplants in the sauce well to let them absorb it as much as possible.
Serve lukewrm or at room temperature.

Easy, isn’t it?

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES