Easy, Tasty, Fun, Creative and Kawaii Japanese Food Recipes and Cooking Hacks Blog with How-To YouTube Cooking Show Video Tutorials. Bento, Healthy Sweets and More!!! Make Your Life Easier ;)
This video will show you how to make Konbini-style Onigiri (rice balls), individually wrapped in plastic, ensuring that the Nori seaweed sheet stays fresh and crisp.
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How to Use Onigiri Wrappers
Ingredients:
cooked Japanese rice
salt to taste
fillings of your choice: salted salmon flakes, pickled plums, okaka (bonito flakes)
Nori seaweed sheets
Directions:
1. Season the cooked rice with salt to taste.
2. Place 120g of rice on a plastic wrap, place the filling, then form it into a triangle by pressing it lightly between your palms.
3. Cut Nori seaweed sheet into half.
4. Place it into the wrapper then fold the edges to wrap.
5. Label the Onigiri with stickers.
Directions:
1. Flavor the rice with Kagome tomato ketchup and a pinch of salt. You can use orange-colored rice seasoning if preferred.
2. Place lettuce in the Bento box. Form the rice into Rilakkuma shape using plastic wrap and put into the Bento box. Cut boiled egg into half and place it next to Rilakkuma.
3. Put side dishes in the Bento box. Cut out sliced cheese and Nori seaweed sheet to make the face parts then attach to finish.
This is not playing with food. Kamaboko Decoration is a traditional art of Japanese food Omotenashi (hospitality) spirit ;)
Print Out this recipe on your Post Card
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5 Cute Kamaboko Decoration Ideas
薔薇 (Bara/Rose)
Slice white Kamaboko about 1cm thick. Make a cut on the top. Make 3 ultrathin slices of pink Kamaboko, layer, then roll. Place it in the white Kamaboko.
兎 (Usagi/Bunny)
Slice pink Kamaboko about 1cm thick. Peel the pink part leaving about 2cm of the end. Cut off 1cm of the end of the peel and cut out the eye using a straw. Cut out the eye of the white part and insert the pink eye. Slice the peel into half then roll to make the ears.
結び (Musubi/Knot)
Slice Kamaboko about 5mm thick. Make a cut in the center, then make staggered cut half way through on both sides. Put both sides through the hole in the center in the opposite direction. Pull to make the not.
手綱 (Tazuna/Rope)
Slice Kamaboko about 1cm thick. Peel the pink part leaving about 2cm of the end. Make 2cm cut in the center. Put the end through the hole.
孔雀 (Kujyaku/Peacock)
Slice Kamaboko about 5mm thick. Make 2mm slices leaving 5mm of the ends. Fold each in the same direction.
Like you eat Sashimi, you can eat Kamaboko with Soy Sauce and Wasabi :)
How do you like your Tamagoyaki?! Sweet or Savory?
I used to love savory one but now I like both. hehe
Both flavors can be a perfect side dish for your Japanese breakfast or Bento lunch box.
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Tamagoyaki (Sweet / Savory Japanese Rolled Omelette)
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 15min
Number of servings: 2-3 (6 pieces)
Ingredients:
((Savory Dashi Flavor: store-bought seasoning))
3 eggs
2 tsp. Yamaki Kappo Shiro Dashi (White Dashi)
2 tbsp. water
((Savory Dashi Flavor: from scratch))
3 eggs
3 tbsp. Dashi broth (you can use Dashi powder to make it)
1/2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. sugar
a pinch of salt
((Sweet Flavor))
3 eggs
1 tbsp. soy milk/milk/plain yogurt
1 tbsp. sugar
1/3 tsp. salt
Directions:
1. Beat eggs in a bowl, add the seasonings and mix well.
2. Heat cooking oil in a Tamagoyaki Nabe (rectangular omelette pan), pour a thin layer of egg mixture in the pan and spread over the surface. Cook until half done, roll up the egg, and move it to one end. Pour in another thin layer of egg mixture and let it flow under the rolled egg also. Cook until half done and again roll up the egg. Repeat this until all the mixture is gone.
3. Wrap the rolled egg while hot in a bamboo sushi roll mat (or plastic wrap) to even out the shape. Allow it to cool and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
For both flavor, eat with a few drops of soy sauce if you like.
Taiwanese Artist "Cai Jie-Shen (蔡潔莘)" invented the character Hug: Let us hug each other today!. “Art” is not just an installation inside a room that you can see from afar and not touch. Cai Jie-Shen, one of the new-generation artists wants to promote the life of “art”, meaning to increase the amount of participation of visitors in his masterpieces. In the busy city, what kind of things can make us stop and breathe? And relax the highly stressed souls in all of us? What kind of places can allow you and me to relax our eyes and feelings? Perhaps it is here, in the arms of art!
台灣藝術家蔡潔莘創造了這個主角”擁抱”，要讓大家知道藝術不僅是遠觀不可觸碰的，鼓勵大家每天張開雙臂擁抱彼此。在現代人忙碌的生活中，什麼能讓你停下腳步放鬆充電，也許答案就是用雙手擁抱藝術。
I was asked to make Hug bento box for the Very Fun Park’s 10th Anniversary. Since it is a meaningful exhibition, I decide to participate as an artist with my creative bento.
今年是粉樂町當代藝術展的十周年，主辦單位邀請我設計可愛的便當，我覺得這個展覽很有意義，決定以藝術便當參展。
Hug is created in 2009, so obviously not Baymax, but of course you can use this Bento idea to create your own Bento lunch box ;)
擁抱是2009年創作的藝術品，所以他不是動畫人物”杯麵”，但你也可以用同樣的概念設計你自己的便當。
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Hug Bento
擁抱便當
Difficulty: Relatively Easy
難度:簡單
Time: 30min
製作時間:30分鐘
Number of servings: 1
一人份
Directions:
1. Flavor the rice with a pinch of salt.
在白飯中加入少許鹽調味
2. Place lettuce in the Bento box. Form the rice into Hug shape using plastic wrap and put into the Bento box.
把萵苣和塑型完成的”擁抱飯糰”放入便當盒
3. Cut sausage diagonally and join the cut sides reversely to make a heart shape. Let Hug hug the heart.
將熱狗兩端斜切後拼成愛心形狀，讓”擁抱”抱住愛心
4. Put side dishes in the Bento box to finish.
將其他配菜放入便當就完成了
Korean Artist "Kwon Ki-Soo (權奇秀)" invented the character Dongguri as Korea was experiencing economic depression. At that time, most people are unhappy so he invented the character that’s simple, and always happy with big smile. Kwon Ki-Soo is now a very famous artist among Christie’s and Sotheby collector.
I was asked to make Dongguri bento box for the Very Fun Park’s 10th Anniversary. Since it is a meaningful exhibition, I decide to participate as an artist with my creative bento.
In this video, I will show you how to make Nori Art character bento box. You can apply this technique to make any other characters you like. Great thing about this technique is you can cut Nori the night before! So you don't have to get up early to make this Bento :)
Directions:
1. Print out your favorite image of Dongguri. 印出可愛的Dongguri圖片
2. Wrap Nori seaweed sheet with parchment paper, then wrap with the image of the character. 用海苔片包住烘培紙上的圖案
3. On a card board or a cutting board, cut out the image with a design knife. You can fix the shape later with brow scissors, so you don't have to be perfect about the edges. Make sure you don't lose any of the parts you cut out. Place them on a sliced cheese and wrap securely with plastic wrap so that it won't dry out. You can keep it in the fridge till the next morning when you pack your bento box :) 用刀子和剪刀修剪出形狀
4. Mix your favorite rice seasoning into the rice. Leave to cool so that the cheese won't melt. 將白飯調味
5. Put lettuce and rice in the Bento box. Then place the Dongguri cheese on top of the rice. 放入生菜，再把Dongguri和起士放在飯上
6. Put side dishes in the bento box to finish. 把其他食材放入便當
Onigirazu is a new type of Onigiri (rice ball) becoming very popular in Japan recently in 2015.
Unlike Onigiri (rice ball), Onigirazu can be prepared quickly without making into a triangular or a ball shape but just by wrapping rice and the fillings in Nori seaweed sheet.
Directions:
1. Place Nori seaweed sheet on plastic wrap.
2. Place rice in the center, then flatten it out.
3. Place the fillings on top.
4. Cover the fillings with rice, then flatten it out.
5. Fold the corners towards the center of the rice, then wrap tightly with plastic wrap.
6. When the Nori gets soft, cut into half.
TO AH (トウアー) is a spoke person for Very Fun Park Exhibition (粉樂町) in Taiwan.
台灣粉樂町當代藝術展代言人桃仔
I was asked to make TO AH bento box for the Very Fun Park’s 10th Anniversary. Since it is a meaningful exhibition, I decide to participate as an artist with my creative bento.
今年是粉樂町當代藝術展的十周年，主辦單位邀請我設計可愛的便當，我覺得這個展覽很有意義，決定以藝術便當參展。
This character’s name is CHI TOU, which means having fun, nickname TO AH, is created by a Japanese graphic artist, Akinori OISHI (大石曉規).
桃仔是日本藝術家大石曉規所設計,全名是”七逃”，代表到處玩
1. TO AH has very good eyes to discover creative things and beautiful art.
桃仔具有靈活的雙眼，可以發覺有創意和美好的事物。
2. Screw driver hands that help locks the art at where it is displayed.
如螺絲釘的雙手把藝術品緊緊栓牢。
3. Very Active, walk all over the streets and alley to explore the city.
行動力一流，走逛大街小巷。
4. Always keep her lovely smile on her face which is perfect 30 degrees.
30度上揚嘴角，永遠帶著人見人愛的微笑。
5. Only wears dark pink.
重度桃紅狂熱份子，永遠的好氣色。
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TO AH Bento Lunch Box
桃仔便當
Difficulty: Patience
難度:中等
Time: 40min
製作時間:40分鐘
Number of servings: N/A
Ingredients:
((Karaage - Japanese Fried Chicken)) 日式炸雞 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bam1EE5NqhA
((Usuyaki Tamago Egg Crepe Flowers)) 造型蛋皮 https://youtu.be/P7EBDWSSUQg?t=2m23s
((TO AH Decoration))
cooked white rice 白飯
a bit of salt 少許鹽
ham 火腿
sliced beets (canned) 罐頭甜菜根片
sliced cheese 起士片
Nori seaweed sheet 海苔片
((Others))
lettuce 生菜
tomato 番茄
broccoli 綠花椰
etc...
Directions:
((Karaage - Japanese Fried Chicken)) 日式炸雞 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bam1EE5NqhA
((Usuyaki Tamago Egg Crepe Flowers)) 造型蛋皮 https://youtu.be/P7EBDWSSUQg?t=2m23s
((TO AH Decoration))
1. Season the rice with a bit of salt and make a triangular shaped Onigiri rice ball.
在白飯中加入少許鹽，握成三角飯團形狀。
2. Cut out ham into a drop shape and cut an oval hole.
火腿切成水滴狀，中間再切出橢圓形。
3. Cut out sliced beets, sliced cheese, and Nori sheet to make TO AH's face parts. Attach them onto the rice ball. *You can use any tools you have on hand or freehand to cut out the shapes because the shapes are very simple ;)
將甜菜根、起士片、海苔片依照需求切好，透過工具或是徒手切割皆可，之後置放於飯糰上塑造卡通造型。
--------------------------------- Sakura Deco Rice Rolls (Sushi Roll Idea)
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30min
Number of servings: 2 rolls (8 pieces)
Ingredients:
250g (8.8oz.) cooked Japanese rice (short-grain rice)
1 Umeboshi (pickled plum)
Chee-Kama (cheese fish sausage)
Nozawana (leaf vegetable pickles)
Nori seaweed sheet
Directions:
1. Mix chopped Umeboshi in the rice and divide it into 10 portions.
2. Cut Nori sheet into half, then cut into 3 pieces. Make 10 of them.
3. Place Umeboshi rice on the Nori sheet, then wrap to make thin rice rolls.
4. Place a bamboo sushi-roll mat on your hand, place 3 thin rice rolls, place Chee-Kama (cheese fish sausage), place 2 thin rice rolls, then shape them into a flower shape.
5. Cut Nozawana into the length of a Nori sheet, place them between the thin rice rolls. Cut Nori sheet into half, then securely wrap the flower roll.
6. With a moistened knife, cut the roll into 4 pieces (re-wet as needed. don't push but pull to cut).
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 15min
Number of servings: 1 roll (3 pieces)
Ingredients:
100g (3.5oz.) cooked Japanese rice (short-grain rice)
Furikake (rice seasoning) of your choice
1/2 Nori seaweed sheet
Directions:
1. Place cooked Japanese rice in a bowl. Add Furikake (rice seasoning) while the rice is hot and slice through rice using rice paddle to separate the grains. (Cool the rice before you use.)
2. Place a piece of plastic wrap on top of a bamboo sushi-roll mat. Place the seasoned rice, then wrap and shape it into a drop shape. Cut it into half.
3. Place 1/2 Nori sheet, shiny side down, on a bamboo sushi-roll mat. Remove the plastic wrap from the rice and place the rice in the center of Nori sheet.
4. Wrap the rice with Nori sheet. Then gently press the mat around the roll to shape it (do not squeeze).
5. With a moistened knife (bread knife cuts well) cut the roll into 3 pieces (re-wet as needed. don't push but pull to cut).
--------------------------------- Osekihan (Azuki Red Bean Rice)
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1.5hr
Number of servings: 4
Ingredients:
2 cups uncooked Mochi sticky rice
55g (2oz.) Azuki red beans (Sasage)
Gomashio (a mixture of black sesame seeds and salt)
Directions:
1. Put Azuki and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Then simmer for 3 minutes and drain. Place the Azuki in a pot again, then add 200ml water, bring to a boil, and cook on low for 15 minutes. Drain and save the cooking liquid.
2. Wash and place the Mochi rice in a pot. Add water in the cooking liquid up to 200ml, add it into the pot, then add water to the appropriate level indicated in the pot, add 1/2 tsp. of salt (to make it tasty), and mix well.
3. Spread the Azuki on top (do not mix or the rice won't cook well), then place the pot into the rice cooker. Cover and press the button to start.
4. When it's done, toss the rice lightly using a rice paddle, serve in a dish, top with Gomashio.
Directions:
((Flower Pork Teriyaki Rolls)) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHgsddmR9Dc
((Potato Salad)) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACYOzrT6B8A
((Chicken Rice)) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCmfXqVJc6Q
((Sponge Bob Decoration))
1. Transfer a bit of egg white in a small bowl. Dilute the gel color with a little milk (or water) to give a thin consistency. Then mix into the egg white and season with salt to make blue egg liquid. For the yellow, mix the leftover egg and season with salt. Heat cooking oil in a small pan on low heat, pour the egg mixture in the pan and spread over the surface. Cook the egg until the edges begin to dry, then flip it over and cook the other side.
2. Cut the yellow egg crepe into a triangular shape. Then cut out a moon shape to make mouth. Cut out cheese, blue egg crepe, and Nori to make eyes. Cut out yellow egg crepe to make cheeks and nose. Make a few random holes in his face. Place it on the Chicken Rice packed in a bento box. Then place his tooth made with cheese to finish.
Difficulty: Very Easy
Time: 15min
Number of servings: 2
Ingredients:
400g (14oz.) cooked rice
A
* 1 tsp. toasted white sesame seeds
* 2 tsp. corn or potato starch Yakiniku
lettuce
sliced tomato
sesame oil
mayonnaise
Directions:
1. Mix A in the cooked rice, then knead with a rice paddle until it gets sticky. Divide it into 4 portions, wrap with plastic wrap and shape each into a flat round shape.
2. Heat sesame oil in a frying pan, then cook both sides of the rice burger buns until golden brown.
3. Layer the rice, lettuce, mayonnaise, Yakiniku, sliced tomato, and rice to serve. It is easy to eat if you wrap with parchment paper.
Omurice is a very popular home cooked meal in Japan.
It is a chicken fried rice wrapped with a thin sheet of crepe-like fried egg.
Kawaii rice dish for kids and perfect for a Bento lunch box!
Print on your Postcard
Before you hate ketchup, TRY Kagome Tomato Ketchup! This is what we use to make Omurice. You can easily find it at a Japanese grocery store.
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Omurice (Japanese Omelet Rice)
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 20min
Number of servings: 4
Ingredients:
600g (1.3lb.) warm cooked rice
200g (7oz.) chicken breast without skin
200g (7oz.) onion
50g (1.8oz.) canned sliced mushrooms
8 eggs
cooking oil
tomato ketchup
salt and pepper
cooked broccoli *if you like
Directions:
1. Dice the chicken and chop the onion. Heat 1 tbsp. of cooking oil in a frying pan and cook the chopped onion until tender. Add the diced chicken and cook until no longer pink. Add the sliced mushrooms and 8 tbsp. of ketchup and continue cooking. Stir to coat evenly.
2. Add warm cooked rice, season with salt and pepper. Divide it into 4 portions. *you can wrap the leftover rice in plastic wrap and keep in the freezer for about a week or more.
3. Beat 2 eggs (1 serving) in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. In another frying pan, heat 1/2 tbsp. of cooking oil, spread the egg mixture and make a round sheet of egg. Before the egg is fully cooked, place one portion of the seasoned rice in the middle. Fold up both sides of the egg, then shape it using the edge of the pan. Carefully flip it over onto a plate. *You can use a paper towel to help shape it.
4. Decorate with ketchup on top, and serve with cooked broccoli if you like.
Directions:
1. Use a small (2cm=0.8inch) flower-shaped cookie cutter and cut out the carrots. In a boiling water, cook the carrots for 10 minutes, drain well, and cool.
2. Place pork slices, season with a bit of salt, place the cooked carrot on the end of the pork, then start rolling.
3. Heat cooking oil in a frying pan, place the rolls seam side down, you can cover and steam to cook them through for a couple of minutes, then make sure to flip the rolls so that all sides are cooked equally crisp and brown.
4. Add and coat with A, sprinkle with a few pinches of corn or potato starch, and stop the heat when the sauce thickens.
5. When they are cool enough to handle, cut one side to let show the beautiful flower shape. *You can eat the scraps to see how they taste ;)
Karaage (also called Tatsutaage) is Japanese fried chicken. It is usually cooked for lunch, dinner, or bento. Also, it is the best party recipe favored by most people!
Difficulty: Super Easy
Time: 25min
Number of servings: 8 pieces
Ingredients:
250g (8.8oz.) chicken thigh or breast (w/o skin)
A
* 1.5 tbsp. soy sauce
* 2 tsp. Sake
* 1 tsp. grated ginger
2 tbsp. Katakuriko (potato starch) or flour
2 tsp. cooking oil
Directions:
1. Cut the chicken into 8 pieces. Season with A and marinate for 15 minutes. *This process will make the chicken tender.
2. Put Katakuriko (potato starch) or flour in a plastic bag. Remove excess seasonings from the chicken using paper towel (to make it crisp), then add into the plastic bag. Shake and coat the chicken with the starch.
3. Discard excess starch if any, add cooking oil, then coat until no longer powdery.
4. Place the wavy sheet on the tray and place the chicken pieces.
5. Place the tray on a microwavable dish. Microwave at 500w for 6 minutes (or 600w for 5 minutes).
- Cookper Microwave Karaage Tray comes with 6 wavy silicon sheets. Each sheet is one-time use.
- You can enjoy your favorite flavor by changing the seasonings!!!
- You can also use this product to reheat deep-fried food.
