Natto

I don’t know how you think about the appearance, however, I must say, Japanese people grow up with this food. This is one of the very common dishes which is served in Japanese homes.

We have an old-saying that eating Japanese, rich and natto are one of the healthiest breakfasts! I don’t eat rice for breakfast, but you will see natto and rice are normally served with other eggs, miso soup at Japanese traditional hotels when you travel to hot springs in Japan.

I think you are eager to know what these black beans are… This is traditional Japanese food made from soybeans. Soybeans are a rich source of protein, and as a matter of fact, the miso soup, probably has been tried by everyone at least once in Japanese restaurants.

Hoshigaki

It is very common to see a variety of persimmons in supermarkets during the winter season in Japan. Hoshigaki are dried persimmons that are one of the common & popular dried fruits in Japan.

The persimmons which have dried for several weeks are MUCH sweeter than raw ones. Depending on the types of persimmons, the texture and sweetness varies. Originally big persimmons turn very soft and moist, so they are actually my FAVORITE! As you can see in the photo, the color remains bright beautiful orange or sometimes beautiful light yellow-orange. Smaller persimmons turn into a dark orange color with a somewhat hard texture, which is also good.

As other dried fruits, persimmons contain rich nutrients. Especially they are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. 10-15 Persimmons that are lined and packed beautifully are one of the common gifts to be used for any occasion, visiting relatives, friends, etc.

Healthy Living

Living healthy sounds easy because all you have to do is eat whole foods as much as possible, try to get seasonal ingredients from local supermarkets and enjoy cooking at home, and simply, just try to avoid midnight snacking and ice creaming!

here’s what we can do.

• Making healthy breakfast as a daily habit – musli with your favorite fruits, fruits plate with yogurt(my favorite), fresh smoothies, thinking about break fast is fun, isn’t it? I know you know that eating breakfast is very important and it helps to boost our energy and feelings throughout the day.
• Try and enjoy healthy snacking- snacking is good. It helps to control your hunger and your blood sugar level. One thing we need to keep in mind is that we have to snack something nutritious. East ad simple ideas that you can try today are for example, mixture of your favorite nuts: almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and Hazelnuts are amazing; it protects your body against heart diseases, high blood pressure, Researcher show that eating nuts even slims down your body. A lot of people might think nuts are unhealthy. As a matter of fact, they are not. If you are at home on weekends, there are more snack varieties. Apricot cheese, crackers with chocolate hazelnuts spread and bananas, apple with peanut butter, Kale, almond milk, and banana smoothies, yogurt parfaits, bagels with ricotta cheese and your choice of fruits, the delicious list can go on and on.
• Drink as much as water as possible – it s important. It detoxes your body

having nice Chai while...

Double Exposure is a reality documentary series which is on Bravo

Photographers Markus and Indrani take us behind the scene of the world of A-celebrity shooting moments. The show portrays the process of creating amazing photographs from shooting to the editing process that will be ready for the world to see. The show includes very rare live footages of behind the scenes of taking an amazing shot, including camera techniques, locations and communications with their stylist GK.

Fairly legal is a comedy series which is on USA network.

The series starred Sarah Shahi, Michael Trucco, Virginia Williams… about young woman who strives to live as a mediator at the law firm which her father started. The very first episode begins with her father’s death, unexpected problems which leads Kate struggle. The show portrays how she mediates cases dealing with a young widow Lauren, her own relationship with her husband, and her own life.

Agedashi Tofu

Small bites to start your meal

Prep:15min | Total:40min

1 block soft tofu

+++ dashi sauce +++
2 Tbsp mirin
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp sake
1 cup dashi

oil for deep-flying
1/2 cup flour
katsuobushi, grated ginger for toppings

LEAVE tofu on the tray covered with paper towels to drain about 10min --- then, Cut into 2-in. cubes

MIX all dashi sauce ingredients in a small pan with law heat...keep warm.

HEAT the oil in a heavy pot, dredge the tofu cubes in the flour and deep-fly tofu until the surface turns light gold -- maybe it takes 5 minutes or so

ARRANGE tofu in a serving bowl, pour the dashi sauce. Top with katsuobushi and grated ginger.

Surprise from Queeni

There was a big happy surprise today. I found this beautiful card when I opened my mailbox.

This is from Queeni from Australia. Our reunion last year completely made our bond stronger. We started to talk again, text each other. Now, we share many things. Family, life, job. I like her style, the way she thinks about life. Now she is a mommy. Her son Eze is such a lovely baby boy. He makes me smile!

She is amazing. She is bright, caring, and likable. 

THANK YOU QUEENI ;)

Favorite TV show

I happen to know about “Barefoot contessa” from one of my friends a couple of weeks ago. I am quite happy and glad that she shared with me about this amazing woman, chef celebrity Ina Garten.

Here is the truth, at the moment I saw her clips on youtube, I immediately felt she was special. There was something special on how she draws audiences attention to her by showing how she cooks, how she explains the process simply, with extensive information. Her idea and tips for organizing and decorating houses are also enjoyable to watch. I got so excited. Every time I saw her episode, I felt warm and special. I cannot step away from the TV screen even a second. Well, let me rephrase, I don’t want to miss any information.

30-minute-spisodes are full of passion, deliciously shot, you will be totally refreshed, amazed by her. She is such an amazing woman who cooks all kinds of cuisines such as French, American, Asian, British, Italian and go on. Who knew she had her own product lines? We may be able to cook like her! Indeed! Without any doubt, I ordered several cooking kits immediately.

As you may imagine, she has fans all around the world. No doubt that she was nominated daytime Emmy for several years.

Madeira

Joa joa left me another funny voice message last night. 

I love listening messages from her. She always makes me laugh.

She is very creative. I wonder how she creates so many versions of funny messages. Funny, full of surprises, and comforting. Her song voice message is the best. I hope I could use that as my ringtones. How lucky I am to have her in my life.

If someone asks me to characterize Joajoa after talented, pretty, the next word that might come to mind would be “bright and bubbly”. She is fashionable. Maybe swimming effects? Looks very fresh. I know everyone says that. She looks like as if she spends fortune for skincare and facial. BOTOX, fillers etc. But I am sure she is not. I really wanna know the secrets. I’ve been talking to her almost everyday for a year now, but the secret is still in a myth.

What surprises me most is that she drinks endlessly. SO MUCH. Why she looks so fresh all the time. 

She will be coming for a business trip this week. I am sure we will have some fun. Stay tuned.

Tempura Soba

Tempura Soba

fresh crispy shrimp tempura matches really good with soba soup

prep: 20min | total:50min
serving 2

for shrimp tempura
6 large shrimp
1 egg
1 cup flour
1 cup water
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 flour

MIX flour with water in a bowl
TAKE OUT shrimp head and shells, remove the thin black line ---keep tails
DRY shrimps on paper tower
BEAT egg in a bowl
HEAT the vege oil 340 degrees F.
PUT shrimp lightly in the flour
DIP the shrimp in the batter
DEEP-FRY until it gets brown and crispy (3-5min)

Soba

3 cups dashi soup
2 tbsp mirin
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp salt
green onion sliced thinly
8 oz soba noodles

BOIL dashi soup, add mirin, soy sauce and salt
KEEP boiling with low heat
BOIL enough water in a large pot for noodle(use different pot)
BOIL noodles according to the package instruction
PUT into cold water
ARRANGE noodles in individual bowls, pour soup, arrange shrimp on top

Okonomiyaki

prep:10min | total:30min

1/2 roughly chopped cabbage

2 Tbs katsuobushi

2 scallions chopped

1 tbs benishoga 1/2 cup Raw shrimpbatter

1 cup flour

2 eggs

2/3 Cup water

1/4 tsp salt

okonomiyaki or tonkatsu sauce

aonori 

Japanese mayonnaise

katsuobushi

MIX okonomiyaki flour and water in a large bowl

ADD eggs, cabbage, ginger, shrimp, and roughly mix –don’t mix too much , it make the glutenchewy

HEAT the pan with 1 tbsp oil and pour 1/2 okonomiyaki mixture, 

FLIP over pancake and cook another 5min

FLIP again an cook few more minutes until the pancake is well browned ARRANGE in a plate, decorate katsuobushi, mayonnaise, aonori on top