My Accomplishments

Time flies. I forgot to list my accomplishments in May.

On 5/3, my Okonomiyaki Flavored Furikake won outstanding performance award at Tiger's furikake recipe contest. Tiger is a Japanese multinational manufacturer and marketer of vacuum flasks and consumer electronics including electric water boilers and rice cookers. Furikake is a dry Japanese condiment meant to be sprinkled on top of rice. Tiger asked for furikake recipes using their mill products.

On 5/19, my Sesame Mustard Marinated Seaweed and Yam received an honorable mention at seaweed recipe contest at Kagisho. I just used what I had in my fridge ;)


On 5/21, my Miso Mustard Stir-Fried Asparagus and Pork won the hot spring steam award. The contest was organized by Onogawa hot spring association in Yamagata. It was maybe the third time for me to apply for this contest, but again I couldn't win the high prize :(



On 5/24, I won the message award at Yukijirushi's cream cheese contest. They asked for party recipes, so I made my usual recipe, sushi rolls: Happy Cream Cheese Decorated Rolls. It's a salmon and white celery rolls with cream cheese and salmon roe on top. Gorgeous, huh?!

I know I need to try harder, but my wedding and my new home are keeping my hands full X(

I'll do the best!!!

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My Accomplishments

Belated post, but I will list my accomplishments in April.

4/10 was Yodoran (iodine-enriched egg) Day! My Spring Sushi Rolls were introduced at their event site. To give pink color to sushi rice, I sprinkled "Sakura Denbu", which is pink colored & seasoned shredded codfish :)


On 4/12, my "Black Sushi Rolls with Fruity Millet Tuna Curry", which won the prize for participation at the Millet Recipe Contest 2010, was posted on Japan Millet Association's website. Also, the report of the day was posted here. Can you find me?!

On 4/26, my Takoyaki Croquette was introduced on CookTV (TBS). The video is HERE. Sorry in Japanese X(




On 4/25, I won the special award at soy milk recipe contest. Sorry, no image available for this one.

That's it! I'll try to do better this month!!!

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Plum Wine Recipe Contest

Yesterday afternoon, I took a half day off to attend the finals of Home Cooking Plum Wine Recipe Contest organized by Fujicitio (supermarket in Kanagawa) and Asahi Breweries (leading brewery and soft drink company based in Tokyo). Plum wine, as you may know, is a Japanese alcoholic drink made by steeping green ume in shōchū (燒酎 - clear liquor). The finals were held at restaurant Harmonic located in Asahi's Annex building.

The total of 9 recipes which passed the first screening were cooked and served by the owner chef Minegishi Hiroshi. We enjoyed sampling them and actually evaluated them! What was good about this contest was we finalists didn't have to cook our own recipes ;) Thus, we had a relaxing time!

My recipe was again sushi rolls... I thought I should have submitted the better one if I knew that the chef is going to cook it for us!!! Anyway, I had a good time.

By the way, the event site was located in Asakusa, so I enjoyed sightseeing there, too! Asakusa is a part of Tokyo's downtown Taito district best known for its many temples, particularly Sensōji (left bottom image). Believe it or not, it was my first time to go there!

Today, the high is over 20C (68F) like summer! But it gonna drop down again to winter tomorrow. Crazy!

Take care!!!

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My Accomplishments

I will list up my accomplishments in March.

On 3/1, my Thai Green Curry Jasmine Kiritanpo Nabe won honorable mention at Thai green curry recipe contest. I was kind of shocked that I couldn't win the highest (ticket for Thailand) at the contest since I created lot other recipes to apply for it. However, the other day I saw on the news that the rebellions popped out there, so I'm not that interested in the award anymore...

On 3/1, my Beef and Tomato Juicy fried Rice won the challenge award at Kyushu umaka (means yummy) recipe contest.








On 3/4, my Japanese Style Shrimp And Avocado Sandwich won the highest award at BROOKS' (Internet coffee shop) recipe contest. They asked for 3-line easy recipes that goes good with their coffee products. I added wasabi spice in my sandwich which is a new style for sandwich I believe ;)



On 3/7, my Alaskan Cheese Fries Melt which won the highest award at KRAFT's cheese recipe contest appeared on their ad! It is now available at the supermarkets. The recipe is simple. I fried avocado and cheese wrapped with smoked salmon. It's slightly salted and delicious! Sprinkle them with lemon juice for a refreshing taste!


On 3/14, my Maguro And Avocado Chirashi was printed on Kamada's (dashi soy sauce company's) brochure.





On 3/23, my Pocky decorated cup cake won the Glico's chocolate blog award.









On 3/29, my Sauteed Pork Rolled Grapefruit won the side dish award at Florida grapefruit contest. I also rolled herbs in them which makes them very refreshing :D






On 3/21, I was supposed to attend a bento recipe contest in Kanagawa prefecture, but I couldn't make it. But next week, I'm gonna attend asahi beer's tasting and awarding ceremony :)

Currently I have only 2 winnings for April...
I gotta try harder.

Today it is cold like winter!
We expect snow in adjoining city!

Have a good weekend ;)

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My Accomplishments

These are my accomplishments in February.

On 2/5, I won the bronze prize at beauty nabe recipe contest. My nabe was "Brown Rice Porridge Shabu-shabu Nabe". Four judges actually sampled the nabe and critiqued. My dad told me that in China, people commonly eat rice porridge nabe. Is that true, jose?




On 2/6, my Creamy Udon Gratin won the milk award at the milk recipe contest organized by Sankei Shinbunkaihatsu (Newspaper Developers). The prize was 2 dozens of milk cartons. Luckily, my darling loves to drink milk! Me?! I don't really like to drink milk...

On 2/24, my Valentine's day recipe "Lovely Dots Crunchy Chocolate" won a prize. I combined hina-arare (pastel colored rice puffs) with pink strawberry chocolate :D





On 2/24, I won the silver award at deco-choco (chocolate decoration) contest. It was a contest to decorate a chocolate bar. I made a 3D picture frame! My darling loved it! I still have it displayed in the hallway ;)






On 2/27, my Mango Chocolate Mousse won a special prize at Yodoran (iodine-enriched egg)'s Valentine's day contest. I just used egg yolk to make it yellow :D





It is rare, but the oyster recipe contest was canceled on 2/20. They say there weren't sufficient number of applicants.

I sometimes question myself. "What am I doing everyday!?" Now it's already mid March... Time flies in routined life!!! Maybe it is time to add or change something. What if I change my stay-at-home life, cooking...

Have a good weekend!!!

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Millet Recipe Contest 2010

3/9 is a millet day. I attended the final of the millet contest organized by Japan Millet Association!

Using foxtail millet and black rice, the theme was to cook the food which you can enjoy with your family at the table. 6 finalists were selected from applicants (certified people, professionals and amateurs). My recipe was "Black Sushi Rolls with Fruity Millet Tuna Curry" (left bottom image).

Unfortunately, what I received was the prize for participation, but the level of presentations were advanced, so I'm glad I could come to the final! (I received a millet book signed by the author - Hisao Nagayama, millet products and other cereal products.)

Cereal grains were once a staple food alongside white rice in the Japanese diet. As rice came to predominate this diet after the Meiji Restoration (1868), however, the cultivation of cereal crops declined. But in light of today’s health-conscious lifestyles and emphasis on nutrition, those same cereal grains are beginning to reclaim consumer notice.

Japan Millet Association was established in 2004. Its members are associated with the production, processing and distribution of cereals and are active in promoting the benefits of cereal grains. The Millet Association has also established a scheme to certify those well-informed about grains and their cooking methods as “cereal sommeliers.” Thus the Japanese palate is evolving from mere appreciation of the nutritional value of cereal grains, to their greater—and more delicious—potential. (Zakkoku: Cereal Grains Return to Japan)

Thanks to their activities, we now eat millet more often than we used to without realizing it! Without a regret, I really enjoyed the contest!!! I will translate my award winning recipe when it is available online :D

Enjoy millet!

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My Accomplishments

My expectations are always disappointed... For successive days, I received frustrating results... I think I should better expect nothing, or should lightly enter the competitions X(

Anyway, I will list my accomplishments in January before I forget.

On 1/6, 10th person has photo reported my Shimeji and Minced Meat Omelette. This is my mom's idea :D It goes great with white rice. Yummy!







On 1/15, my Colorful Healthy Dried Tofu Minced Meat Rice Bowl won the gold award at mannanhikari recipe contest again!!! Mannnanhikari is a rice shaped konjac food. By cooking the rice with mannanhikari, you can save calories (up to 30%)! I made minced meat using koyadofu (dried tofu) which also saves calories, too!


On 1/18, my Balsamic Tomato Ramen won 広東賞 (Canton award) at the contest using 中華三昧 (famous Chinese instant noodles in Japan). Balsamic vinegar nicely matches the flavor of soy sauce based soup!





On 1/20, my Sausage and Asparagus Stamppot Croquette won the grand prize at Dutch food contest. Stamppot is a typical traditional Dutch dinner (mashed potato mixed with other mashed vegetables). My darling loves croquette, so I arranged it! The tasting party was held in December in Hirado. I didn't attend the event, but it is nice to see people sampling my food. The prize was a hotel voucher of 国際観光ホテル旗松亭 in Hirado. I booked the hotel and plane tickets already, so my darling and I are going to travel there on 4/3 for my darling's birthday on 4/4!

On 1/21, 10th person has photo reported my Creamy Christmas Tree Salad.









On 1/22, I won the outstanding performance award at my special recipe contest. I entered my Colorful Minced Meat Simmered Potatoes. I used leftover vegetables to cook the dish colorful :D






On 1/24, my Pound Cake Sandwich was posted at cookpad's contest page. It was introduced as a sample Valentine's recipe using Philadelphia cream cheese.







On 1/26, I received the prize for participation at the rice contest in Hokkaido. Unfortunately, I couldn't go there and cook. Also, on 1/13, I got through the screening for the home cooking recipe contest using ingredients of Kyushu, but I wasn't able to participate since the place was too far from Tokyo. Don't ask me why I applied... sometimes I don't expect anything. Opposite from the former! Ha-ha!!!

See you again!

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My Accomplishments

Wow! Time flies! Before I forget, I will list my accomplishments for December.

On 12/3, my miso fried chicken won the prize at fundodai's recipe contest using their seasoning products. They nicely introduced my recipe on their site :D







On 12/4, my tea leaves baked potatoes won the highest prize at おぶぶ茶苑(obubuchaen) in Kyoto. I received many different kinds of Japanese teas as a prize! Great thanks!!!






On 12/7, my LOVE sushi won the February prize. I made it for Valentine's day ;)








On 12/7, my minced chicken simmered long yam awarded a grand prize! It was a contest using Kikkoman's soy sauce.








On 12/14, my Japanese style rolled cabbage nabe awarded the Asahi Off prize. Asahi Off is a healthy low-malt beer which reduced purines by 85% and carbohydrate by 70%!






On 12/14, my Buri Daikon (Japanese amberjack or yellowtail simmered with daikon) was introduced at Cookpad with P&G's Hi Wash Joy (dish soap).







On 12/14, my kelp steamed rice won the highest award at Asahi Food & Healthcare's diet recipe contest.




On 12/15, I received 10th photo report of my curry chicken fries.









On 12/20, my healthy yogurt soy mousse was printed on a recipe card of soy milk product called sugoidaizu.








On 12/20, I don't find the picture, but my beauty smoothie won outstanding performance award at Manbo Corporation's recipe contest. Their famous product is squid shumai. However, for my work I used their white sesame collagen pudding.

On 12/26, my pork and kimchi fried rice won the grand prize at Kyushu Asahi beer's recipe contest. I received 30,000yen ($300) travel coupons! I just took a snapshot of our quick dinner... so I didn't expect to win such a big prize! I think I was lucky!!!

On 12/31, my donut ring Christmas cake won the grand prize at Yodoran (iodine-enriched egg)'s contest. I received 20 egg coupons!






Also, I received many prizes for participation: creap recipe contest, Nagatsugawa recipe contest, nikka (whisky) recipe contest, cabbage recipe contest, kikkoman new year's food recipe contest, and Higashiharima healthy recipe contest. Plus, I won 2 dozens of Sukoyaka tea samples.

All for today!

Have a good weekend!!!

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