Tag Archives: Simple Recipes

French Cuisine: Shizuoka Products at SUGIMOTO TETSUYA-Part 2 (Organic Vegetables)

July 16, 2010 dragonlife Leave a comment

Ranking：
Service: Highly professional and friendly
Equipment: Great overall cleanliness. Beautiful washroom
Prices:~
Strong points:Freshest produce and ingredients only, mainly from Shizuoka Prfecture. Organic vegetables. Seasonal food only
Map (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking!

If you happen to visit Shizuoka City, you will find many restaurants and izakayas serving and mainly using produce/products and ingredients from Shizuoka Prefecture. There are many treasures to be discovered in this hoard!
one of them is the French restaurant going by the name of Sugimoto Tetsuya!

If you can read Japanese you will know what is waiting for you inside!
A gastronomic paradise in Shizuoka Prefecture!
Mr. Sugimoto does everything by himself: chef, waiter and entertainer! This is real slow food in its true and best meaning!
Almost all ingredients are from Shizuoka Prefecture, be they vegetables, fruit, meat or fish!
But his specialty is organic vegetables from Shizuoka Prefecture!
I requested that this menu feature only produce for Shizuoka Prefecture only.
Since it has turned into a fairly long meal to explain I go about it dish by dish. This time we shall talk about the organic vegetables dish!

All these were organic vegetables grown by different farmers in Hamamatsu City.
The dish included egg-plants/aubergines, 3 varieties of zucchini, tomato and “manganji” Chili pepper.

All vegetables were first sauteed separately and cooked in the oven before served with two different dressings:
-Olive oil and orange juice
-Framboise/raspberry vinegar
Were I served this everyday I certainly would become vegetarian!
All vegetables were cooked to perfection to a crispy outside and just tender enough inside thus protecting and enhancing their natural savor while preserving all their nutrients!
No need to mention the tableau they made up!

Tetsuya SUGIMOTO
４２０－００３８ Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Umeya,, ２－１３，１Ｆ
Tel./Fax: 054-251-3051
Opening hours：１１：３０～１４：３０，１７：３０～２１：３０
Holidays: undecided
Cedit cards OK
ＨＯＭＥＰＡＧＥ

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French Cuisine: Shizuoka Products at SUGIMOTO TETSUYA-Part 1(Appetizer)

July 16, 2010 dragonlife 4 Comments

If you can read Japanese you will know what is waiting for you inside!
A gstronomic paradise in Shizuoka Prefecture!

Lunch and

dinner can chosen from the chef recommendation menus or a la carte. A la carte means that you can agree on a budget and an individual meal making it fun for both the diner and the chef!

Mr. Sugimoto does everything by himself: chef, waiter and entertainer! This is real slow food in its true and best meaning!

Almost all ingredients are from Shizuoka Prefecture, be they vegetables, fruit, meat or fish!
But his specialty is organic vegetables from Shizuoka Prefecture!
I requested that this menu feature only produce for Shizuoka Prefecture only.
Since it has turned into a fairly long meal to explain I will go about it dish by dish. This time we shall talk about the appetizer!

The fish is rainbow trout rasied by Mr. Kukuri in Fujinomiya City at the foot of Mout Fuji! It was first marinated and then brushed with delicious (secret) dressing.
The fish was then monted on aubergines/egg plants and mini tomatoes grown by b Mr. Kaneko in Hamamatsu City. The aubergines had been first grilled, then peeled and marinated before being cut in large pieces. More dressing was added with fresh chopped green leaves.
The rainbow trout and aubergines made for a sublimely simple (in concept) and sophisticated (in taste) combination inside the palate!

Organic vegetables dish next time!

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Japanese Cuisine: Stewed Sato Imo, Koyadofu & Chicken

July 15, 2010 dragonlife 8 Comments

Japanese cuisine makes for some very healthy food.
I have already introduce koyadofu, a variety of dried tofu, sato imo or taro.
Here is a simple and hearty recipe fir for any age group!

INGREDIENTS: For 3~4 people

-Chicken thigh meat: 1 thigh
-Soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
-Japanese sake: 1 tablespoon (if unavailable use dry white wine)
———-
-Sato Imo/taro: 8 (medium-sized)
-Koyadofu: 3 standard sheets
-Flour: as appropriate
-Dashi: 2 cups/400 cc/ml (if unavailable use chicken soupstock)
-Soy sauce: 2.5 tablepoons
-japanese sake: 2.5 tablespoons
-Sugar: 2.5 tablespoons
-Shungiku: Spring chrysanthemum a little (if not available, use green of your choice!)

RECIPE:

-Cut the chickeninto small bite-sized chunks amd marinate with soy sauce and Japanese sake.

-Cut the hard part of the shungiku (or other green leaf vegetable such as soinach, and so on), boil lightly in salted water, drain and cut into 5 cm (2 inches) bits.

-Peel sato imo/taro as shown on above pic. Boil. Clean in clear water to get rid of the stickiness. Transfer into a zaru/sieve basket.

-Soften koyadofu in lukewarm water. Press out all water. Cut into 1.5 cm (0.7 inch) squares and coat with flour. Deep-fry in oil at 160 degrees Celsius. Scoop out as soon as they change color. Tansfer into a sieve basket and pour hot water on it to take out excess oil.

-In a pan, drop the dashi, soy sauce, sake and sugar. Bring slowly to boil and reduce fire to low. Add sato imo/taro and koyadofu. Simmer for a while on a low fire to allow all sato imo and koyadofu to absorb taste.

-In another pan bring some water to boil. Wipe chicken off any humidity. Coat with flour. Drop into boiling water and cook until tender.

-Once cooked, transfer into sieve basket/zaru.

-Once the sato imo and koyadofu are cooked to satisfaction, add chicken. Simmer for 2=3 minutes.

-Serve into dish with greens.

Great with beer!

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Vegan Japanese Cuisine: Daikon & Dried Persimmon Salad

July 14, 2010 dragonlife 6 Comments

Persimmon can be enjoyed all year round if you dry them.
Now, if you cannot get them on the market, dry them yourself in season next time. It’s not difficult:
Peel them completely, keeping the petal and stem core. Pass a thread through the persimmon and under the stem core. Hang them to dry in the sun (when it rains hang them in dry place).
Preserve them with a sugar coating in a dry box or freeze them!

INGREDIENTS:

-Daikon: 4 cm long cut
-Dried persimmons: 2~3
-Ground sesame seeds/surigoma: 2 tablespoons
-Rice vinegar: 2 tablespoons
-Sugar: 1 and a half tablespoons
-Light soy sauce: a little
-Salt: a pinch

RECIPE:

-Cut the daikon in 2 mm thick, 1×3 cm strips. Massage them with salt and wash them in clear cold water. Drain thoroughly by pressing them inside your hand/fist.

-Cut the stem core out of the dried persimmon. Wash the persimmon with rice vinegar. First cut cut in half, spread and cut in 2=3 mm thick strips.

-Drop the ground sesame seeds in a bowl Add the rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce and salt (experiment!). Mix well.
If you do not have ground sesame seeds, first grind 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds in a mortar with a pestle until it has turned into a rough paste.
Add the daikon and persimmon. Mix well and serve (themore artistically, the better!LOL)

Add some small leaf greens for the finishing touch!

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Japanese Cuisine: Curry-marinated Pike Mackerel/Aji No Kari Marine

July 13, 2010 dragonlife 2 Comments

Pike Mackerel or Saurel is called Aji/鯵 in Jpanese.
Shizuoka Prefecture, and especially Suruga Bay is very famous for great quality pike Mackerel almost all year round.

Here is a simple way to eat it cold, a welcome notion in these very hot and humid days!

Curry-marinated Pike Mackerel/Aji No Kari Marine!

INGREDIENTS: for 5 persons

-Pike mackerel/Saurel: 2
-Red onion: 1
-Lemon slices: 3~4
-Flour: 2 tablespoons
-Curry mix powder: 1 tablespoon
-Salad oil: 100 cc/ml/1/2 cup
-Rice vinegar: 50 cc/ml/1/4 cup
-Salt: a little

RECIPE:

-Dress the fish (cut out the fillets) and cut into 4cm long pieces. Sprinkle with a little salt.

-Cut the red onion in half. Cut out the hard core. Slice it thin. Let the onion slices rest into clean cold water long enough to take out astringency (bitterness).

-Peel the lemon slices and cut them 6~8 “quarters”.

-Mix the flour with curry mix powder and lightly coat the fish with it. Deep-fry the fish.

-Line a large enough flat vessel (preferably rectangular) with the deep-fried fish. Place the lemon bits evenly on top. Cover evenly with the sliced red onion (drain it thouroughly first). Mix the oil, rice vinegar and salt and then pour the lot over the fish.
Cover with cellophane paper and let it marinate inside the fridge long enough for the taste to penetrate the fish.

SUGGESTION:

Grill sweet red pimentoes. Peel off the skin. Cut it in strips. You could do the same with string beans you boil first and then cut in strips.
Add them to the marinate for added taste and effect.

Don’t forget that the presentation will be the more important that this dish is simple!

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Today’s Lunch Box/Bento (’10/52): Te-mari Sushi Bento

July 13, 2010 dragonlife 10 Comments

Tuesday’s Bentoes have become a regular feature as Sushi Bento!
Today’s bento consists of Te-mari Sushi/手まり寿司 or Hand-shaped ball sushi (not easy to translate, so read the explanation!).

The Missus could not decide which picture to choose, so it is my pleasure to show another angle!
Te-mari sushi are naturallly made with sushi rice.
The process is quite simple:
1) Make small rice balls (they can be as small/big as you wish!) either between the palms of your hands or by wrapping some rice inside cellophane paper and twisting the cellophane paper tightly around the rice to form a ball. Unwrap the balls and put them aside.
2) For each te-mari choose the”neta/topping”.
Lay a large enough piece of cellophane paper in your palm. Place the topping upside down (important as all is inverted), place the rice ball on top, close the cellophane paper around the te-mari and twist it closed tightly enough for easy unwrapping and placing inside the bento box.

The Missus prepared three types of Te-mari:
1) Smoked salmon te-mari topped with lemon and capers.
2) Raw ham topped with cress.
3) Cucumber (she sliced it thinly and took the excess humidity first with kitchen paper) topped umenoshi/Japanese pickled plum flesh and black sesame seeds.
She added home-made pickled aubergines/egg-plants and edamame.

As for the salad-dessert “dish”, the Missus included three-coloured potato salad (yellow, pink and violet) topped with black olive, sliced tomato over a bed of cress, cherries and bluberries for dessert.

Certianly made for a big and tasty bento!

Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, 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, My Bento Box, 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;

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Today’s Lunch Box/Bento (’10/51): Unending Rainy Season Bento

July 12, 2010 dragonlife 22 Comments

We are having a “small problem” with the rainy season this year and it seems we are not the exception, either!
We have been submitted to an unceasing series of unpredictable extremes from scalding heat to rain curtain storms with no end in sight.
No wonder people don’t feel like stepping outside, except when shopping, when it is a battle to wrench the best produce out of the display shelves in supermarkets!
Oh well… keep smiling and don’t drink too much!

This is also a time of the year when particular attention is needed to healthy, sustaining and gentle (on the body) ingredients.
The Missus (who will eat the same for lunch) steamed plain rice before mixing it with home-made umeboshi/pickled Japanese plums. These umeboshi were not pickled in salt but in vinegar. Definitely healthier! They are soft enough for the flesh to be torn away from the pit and mixed with the rice, turning the latter into sushi rice. She also added plenty of roasted sesame seeds for extra seasoning and nutrients.
Boiled green asparagus with a dash of dressing provided for the finishing touch.

The “main dish” included two types of food:

“Niwatori Dango/Chicken balls”. The Missus pressed shimeji mushrooms and plenty of sesame seeds (two colours) on top before frying them in sesame oil. Very soft and tasty balls! The vegetables are fried shishito peppers and fresh lettuce for more vitamins and fibers.

My favourite: plain tamagoyaki/Japanese omelette!

Interesting colourful dessert: home-made sweet mini-tomatoes compote and fresh blueberries!

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Cheese Tray at Gentil (2010/07/09)

July 10, 2010 dragonlife 8 Comments

Ranking:
Service: Very Professional
Facilities: Perfect allaround. Beautiful washroom
Prices: ~
Strong points: Best cheese tray in Japan! Great wines

It was about grand time that I visited Gentil Restaurant in Shizuoka City again with my cheese-lover friends!.
Gentil is renown all over Japan for the best cheese trays (within reasonability in a restaurant! Naturally one could always offer a mountain of cheese at ridiculous prices!) served at a restaurant.

I made a point this time to take picture of all individual cheeses for everyone’s references!

These were the 8 cheese presently served (there are more in store at the restaurants but all are served when perfectly ripened!).
Let’s have a look at each of them!

Vieille Mimolette, Cow’s Milk, 18-month old, Northern France. Very soft and elegant in spite of its venerable age!

Blue Stilton, Cow’s Milk, England. A rare combination of softness and pungency!

Langres, Cow’s Milk, Bourgogne & Champagne, France. My home’s cheese! Do I need to comment?

Gorgonzola Dolce, Cow’s Milk, Italy. Vey soft and elegant!

Petit Plaisir, Cow’s Milk, Hokkaido, Japan. It has recently been elected as the best cheese in Japan! A discovery! Remiscent of a beautiful Saint-Marcellin!

Chevre Noir, Goat’s Milk, Canada, 2-year old. Another discovery! very soft for an old goat’s cheese!

Malvaux, Goat’s Milk, Deux-Sevres (Western Loire), France. It is covered with spices like a Corsican Maquis! So many tastes exploding on your palate!

Talegio, Cow’s Milk, Italy. Both elegant and strong!

The tray as served for 3 guests! A work of art, indeed!

Restaurant Gentil
420-0031 Shizuoka Shi, Gofuku-Cho, 2-9-1. Genan Kairaku Buiilding 2F
Tel.: 054-2547655 (Reservations advisable)
Fax: 054-2210509
Opening hours: 12:00~14:00, 18:00~last orders for meals at 21:30. Bar time 18:00~23:30. Closed on Mondays.
Credit cards OK
Homepage　(Japanese)

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Shizuoka Agricultural Products: Mrs. Jitsuko Ishihara’s Zucchini!

July 7, 2010 dragonlife 8 Comments

In Japan, like in any country worth its salt and name, you always need a little help from your friends. And when that applies to agriculture and farmers, it is simply vital!

Luckily enough, I’m blessed with this tireless lady friend, namely Mrs. Natsuko Koyanagi, the recognized leader of all those farmer housewives selling their produce at Agriroad in Shizuoka City!
When you realize that the community accounts for more than a hundred members, interviewing simply becomes a pleasure!

Last year she introduced me to this sweet ladyfarmer, Mrs. Jitsuko Ishihara who has a special fondness for zucchini, especially of the colourful round kind!
Sorry for the small pic, but it was taken last year, as the lady was busy up in the mountain harvesting tea with her husband tis morning!

But in the Shizuoka (and elsewhere in Japan) countryside you don’t need a key to open a fence. Natsuko gave her a call to inform her that that strange foreigner (-“You know, the Frenchman who loved your zucchini last year?”) wanted to have another look at those beautiful vegetables. -“Is it ok for us to visit your field/garden?”
-“No problem, you know the place! Thanks for taking hime around!”
Simple as that!

Since I have started writing these local agriculture articles for the prefectural government I intend to conduct a full interview of Mrs. Ishihara very soon!
Natsuko, having given me a ride to Yuyama, along the Abe River (a good 5 minutes ride. For once, I was happy to leave my bicycle!) we were soon trampling Mrs. Ishihara’s domain and taking pics.

Not a really easy task as you have to delve deep under those large leaves with insects buzzing in your eyes (we are in the middle of the reason!)
There was no way I could leave the place without a hoard of those little treasures…

-“Natsuko, could you please ask Mr. Ishihara if I can have some of these?”
Natsuko was soon talking over her mobile phone (at least one reason to welcome IT in farms, thus cutting distances to zero!”)
-“She says she’ll be glad to let you pick one of your choice back home!” (Sweet lady!)
-“No, I mean to buy 3 or 4 of them! Ask her if I may, and how much she wants for them!”
-“……………

-“She says you can take 3 or 4 of them at 100 yen a piece (just over 1 US$)!”
-“But that’s ridiculously cheap (they would fetch 4 times as much in a supermarket) for a zucchini I need two hands to wrap them completely, and moreover fresh and of such a quality!”

Well, I did go away with my 4 beauties for a grand total of 400 yen! I tried to explain they would be served tonight at a friend’s izakaya who would be ready to the real price, but to no avail!

I will make sure my friends at Yasaitei in Shizuoka City know where these zucchini come from and answer their guests’ queries!
Do visit this great place, an institution here in Shizuoka Prefecture!
They will prepare and serve these zucchini according to your preferences, probably as tempura, steamed or fried with superb olive oil!

Can you see them?

YASAITEI
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-Cho, 1-6-2 Green Heights Wamon 1-C
Tel.: 054-2543277
Business hours: 17:30~22:00
Closed on Sundays
Reservations highly recommended
Seating: 6 at counter + 20 at tables
Set Courses: 3,000, 4,000, 5,000 yen
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

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Japanese Bamboo Handcraft for your Dining-Room and Home

July 6, 2010 dragonlife Leave a comment

Bamboo has been used from times immemorial. It is very sturdy and does not spoil easily, even in the most severe conditions or environments.
People tend to forget it is not a tree, but a grass. It can grow in inclement climates and withstand frost and snow, although severe droughts will kill it.
It flowers only once in its long (60 to 120 years) life before suddenly dying away.

Bamboos (there are many varieties) are also the fastest growing woody plants in the world. They are capable of growing up to 60 cm (24 in.) or more a day due to a unique rhyzome-dependent system. However, this astounding growth rate is highly dependent on local soil and climatic conditions. But the same growth rate can make it an environmental hazard in some regions where it supplants real trees.
Bamboos are of notable economic and cultural significance in Japan (and Asia) where the stems and even the leaves are extensively used in everyday life as building materials and as a highly versatile raw product, and the shoots as a food source.
Bamboo, when used for construction or utensil-making purpose must be harvested when the culms reach their greatest strength and when sugar levels in the sap are at heir lowest, as high sugar content increases the ease and rate of pest infestation.

Bamboo is extensively used as a food, medicine and construction material.
It also contributes to the manufacture of everyday utensils from chopsticks to baskets, from textiles to musical instruments, and even in water processing and transportation (bamboo bicycles!).
Now, because of its comparatively mild and wet climate, Shizuoka Prefecture has been the home of bamboo handcraft for a long time.
Its major guild, called Suruga Takesen Sujizaiku/駿河竹千筋細工 (literally, Suruga Bay Bamboo Thousand Lines Thin Works) or “Suruga Zaiku” for short, has been in existence since 1620 and quickly achieved fame thanks to the Shogunate and the Old Tokaido Route.
At first craftsmen concentrated on the manufacture of utilitarian objects from baskets to small boxes and trays actively sought by the travelers for their own use or as valuable souvenirs and tradable artifacts.
Their products achieved international first in Austria in 1873 where they were exhibited at the Wien International Exposition. Since then the craft has witnessed lows and highs, but in this present world of cheap plastic and metal utilities, bamboo has increasingly achieved a deserved status of artistic value and even that of a politically correct environment-friendly material.

At present the Guild accounts for 14 craftsmen and craftswomen of all ages specializing in some form of the handicraft. The next generation is well provided for and collectors and buyers can be assured of a continuous, if limited because of the sheer hard work and artistry, supply.
There is an almost unending line of products available depending on your needs:
Vase baskets to hold or carry pottery or glass vases, protecting and adding to the aesthetic value of their contents. There are some 80 models of them that can be laid on tables or tokonomas or hung on walls and pillars.
Many exquisite “kaze suzu/風鈴”, or “wind bells” resonating inside very fine bamboo lined balls.
More than 20 cake boxes and trays to serve or preserve Japanese cakes/wagashi.
Beautiful “handbags” lined with hand-dyed cloth.

Insect collectors, especially “suzu mushi/鈴虫/ring-bell cricket” beloved by the Japanese during the hot season, can choose among more than 20 delicately built cages where they can keep and feed their little pets.
Lamp shades (more than 25 of them) can not only make for very utilitarian devices, but also for lovable souvenirs to bring back home as the oriental note in your western abodes.
But my favorite, if I may be allowed a personal comment, are the trays, either made of bent bamboo lines or interwoven bamboo fibers!

Consult their homepage (Japanese) for the entire array and direct purchase at:
http://www/takesensuji.jp/
Visit their guild in Shizuoka City if you wish to be directly introduced to the artists at work:
Shizuoka Takesen Kougei Kyodokumiai, 420-0078, Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Hachi Bancho, 7-1
Tel.: 054-252-4924
Fax: 054-273-2679

Or if you happen to stop at Shizuoka Station, spare a minute to admire all the art works at Sumpu Raku Ichi Shop!

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Today’s Lunch Box/Bento (’10/50): Korean Sushi Roll Bento

July 6, 2010 dragonlife 2 Comments

In these days of incessant weather change, one has to make sure of his/her sustainance. In winter, when they are in need of calories, the Japanese often visit the innumerable Korean restaurants in their cities.
I believe that the Korean are tempted with lighter fare such as sushi in summer (I’m only assuming!)!

That is why the Missus came up the idea last night to create a Korean sushi bento of her own for today, Tuesday sushi bento day!

That orange colour is definitively that of kimchi!
After steaming the rice and arranged it as sushi rice, the Missus mixed it with “golden” roasted sesame seeds.
Before spreading the rice on the seaweed, she brushed the inside of the nori/dry seaweed with sesame oil.
She then lined the sushi rice with 3 types of pimentoes she had cut into thin strips before frying them in sesame oil/namuru style.
On top of the vegetables she spread thin slices of pork she had fried Korean-style with spicy sauce and black roasted sesame seeds.

For a closer view of the sushi roll cross section!

The Koreans eat a lot of vegetables with their meat, so the Missus did likewise with a salad duo of freshly cut large plum tomatoes and a combo of cucumber, myoga ginger, shiso/perilla leaves, konbu/seaweed, daikon and sesame seeds.

Cherries from Yamagata Prefecture for dessert!

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Almost “Tricolor” Fried Potatoes

July 5, 2010 dragonlife 2 Comments

The Japanese are starting to take a real interest in many varieties of potatoes as opposed to sweet potatoes.
The Missus having received a batch of them from her family’s garden, I prepared a quick appetizer last night.
I had 3 differentcolors available: red, yellow and black, that is as far their outside colors were concerned!

Once boiled, they turned to slghtly differentcolors: dark blue, light yellow and pink!
Almost tricolor (I’m in for another of BG’s comments!)!

As a general rule, I boil the potatoes before deep-frying them.
Actually, I don’t deep-fry them but use only a little olive oil. Far healthier!
As for vegans and vegetarians, just frying and seasoning them is enough, but for the sake of taste I first fry chopped bacon (with no oil). Once it has reached a crispy state, I put it a aside. I use the same fry pan without wiping it at all. I pour about 2 tablespoons of olive oil (EV) for the 3 medium potatoes I had.
The potatoes wer cut into large dices with their skin.
I fried them until they had completely absorbed the oil and became brownish. I then throw in a finely chopped clove of garlic, the bacon ,black pepper and some nutmeg.

Once the garlic has started browning I pour the lot into a serving dish.
(Sorry for the last 2 pics! The Missus took them!)

Before serving them I sprinkle them with a good amount of freshly grated parmegiano. This way, I don’t need to add any salt!

Great with dark beer!

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Today’s Lunch Box/Bento (’10/49): Heat Wave Bento

July 5, 2010 dragonlife 10 Comments

We are going through a very trying period of the year as far as the weather in Shizuoka is concerned. It is either torrential rains or infernal heat. A small earthquake last night added to the general grumpiness.
That is when you need good sustenance!

Colours are as important as nutrients, aren’t they?
The Missus steamed plain rice with shredded carrots and served it sprinkled with black roasted sesame seeds and topped with home-cooked-pickled edamame and cucumber pickled with ginger from her home.

Considering all the beer I guzzled after cycling out yesterday in unprotected heat, the Missus kept the calories to a minimum.

“You always make mistakes when you describe my bentoes, so listen carefully to my explanations!” grumbled the Missus as she gracefully shot the pics. Interestingly enough, I was not supposed to learn her little secrets until now…

She wrapped black tiger prawns in thin pork slices dipped in miso, then wrapped them again with shiso/perilla leaves before rolling them in breadcrumbs and deep-frying them. She placed them in the box with lettuce to wrap around the prawns and lemon for extra seasoning.

She prepared an Oknawan-style “chanpuru” by sauteeing together thinly sliced goya and red pimentoes with eggs. The red mini-tomato provided extra vitamins on top of those found in the chanpuru.

Japanese cherries for dessert!

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Vegan Natto Imperial Rolls

July 3, 2010 dragonlife 9 Comments

You happen to some steamed (cold) rice leftovers?
Great! You just need (made from rice rice powder or wheat flour) imperial roll wrappers, some natto, thi leeks and soy sauce to make a satisfying and crunchy vegan meal!

Vegan Natto Imperial Rolls!

INGREDIENTS: for 10 rolls

-Imperial roll wrappers: 10 sheets
-Natto: 3 standard packs
-Cold steamed rice (leftovers): 1 large bowl (standard rice ball/experiment!)
-Thin leeks (chopped): 3 tablespoons
-Soy sauce: 1 large spoon

Optional: mustard, hot sesame oil, tare, etc…

RECIPE:

-That’s all you need!

-Mix all ingredients well!

-Place an equal amount of the natto-rice mixture in/on themiddle of an imperial wrapper/sheet and roll.
You know how to do it?
Don’t forget to prepare a little cornstarch dissoled in lukewarm water to seal the rolls!

-Deep-fry in good oil!

Simple again!

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Vegan Yuzu Sherbet

July 3, 2010 dragonlife 4 Comments

In these hot days of summer, yuzu are abundant and make for simple and great desserts.
Here is a very simple recipe that should please vegans and friends with special needs!

Vegan Yuzu Sherbet!

INGREDIENTS:

-Yuzu: 2 small
-Sufar: 80 g
-Lemon juice: a little
-Warm water: 1 cup/200 cc/ml

RECIPE:

-Grate the skin/zest of the first yuzu. Peel just enough of the skin/zest of the second yuzu and cut into thin thin strips (for decoration).
Press the juice off both yuzu.

-Dissolve the sugar completely in the warm water. Add yuzu juice and a little lemomn juice.

-Let cool completely. Pour ininside a Tupperware and leave inside the freezer for 2 hours. Take out 2~3 times and break and mix around with a spoon.

-When it has reached the wanted state, serve it in a bowl of your choice with yuzu peel and some fresh mint for decoration!

Easy, ain’t it?