Wedding Style

Yesterday (1/19), Erika Sawajiri (age 22: a Japanese actress, model, and musician) and Tsuyoshi Takashiro (age 44: a Japanese DJ, filmmaker, and writer) held a wedding at the Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo!

I love her bridal costume! Don't you think this is traditional but modern? Her tunokakushi (a traditional Japanese wedding headwear) is made of lilies.

The image is from The Sankei Shimbun & Sankei Digital.

HERE I found a video of the ceremony!

Oops... I am off my culinary topic again. Sorry...
I will post my Valentine's Day recipes before too long ;)

Please click below and vote for me.

Beef Beer Curry and Rice

As it gets colder, I prefer to cook stew, curry, nabe, etc... to warm up. Today, I will translate one of my curry and rice recipes that my blog friend has requested ;)

I wrote this before, but in Japan, we use "curry roux" to make curry and rice. There are many different kinds of curry roux in Japan. For this recipe, I used Vermont Curry! It's a curry roux with a touch of apple and honey. I'm sure it is available in the U.S.! I found that House Foods America Corporation (HFAC) provides it!!! (Their Java Curry is good, too!)

Oh, remember! The "beer" I added softens the beef and makes the curry mild. It is more like stew and easy to eat. Please try it out!

Video Recipe Available :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nusdJYSErw



---------------------------------
Beef Beer Curry and Rice

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 45min
Number of servings: 5

Ingredients:
200g (0.45lb.) thinly sliced beef
200g (0.45lb.) onion
200g (0.45lb.) shimeji mushrooms
200g (0.45lb.) frozen edamame beans in pods
500cc water
200cc beer
125g (0.27lb.) Vermont Curry (Med-Hot) *Japanese curry roux
1 tbsp. cooking oil
salt
pepper
5 servings steamed Japanese white rice
grape tomatoes if desired

Directions:
1. Use Vermont Curry or you can substitute it with any other Japanese curry roux! Doesn't make a big change!



2. Cut thinly sliced beef into bite size pieces, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Slice onion. Remove tough base of shimeji mushroom and break into bite-sized chunks. Thaw and remove the edamame beans from the pods.

3. Heat cooking oil in a large stew pot, saute the sliced onion over medium heat until it softens. Then add the beef and shimeji mushrooms and saute together.



4. When mushrooms get soft, add 500cc water, bring to a boil, skim the scum, add 200cc beer, and turn the heat down to medium-low and cook for about 15 minutes.



5. Turn off the heat, add Vermont Curry curry roux, and mix well until completely melted. Then put on the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until thickened.



6. Add edamame beans, stir, and cook 3 more minutes.





7. Serve on a hot bed of rice, garnish with grape tomatoes if desired.




My original recipe in Japanese is here.
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Is thinly sliced beef available in your country?
If not, I recommend to use bite size cut chicken! Any kind of meat is basically okay, though ;)

Oh no... too bad. I just received a message and knew that I lost the lottery to run Tokyo Marathon... Okay, I'll run at gym!!!

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Cheers! Omurice

It's a beautiful day without a cloud in the sky! I really wanted to have a cup of coffee at a cafe near the station instead of going to work...

Anyway, do you know Omurice? It is a thin fried egg wrapped chicken rice (seasoned with ketchup), shaped like an omelet. The fancy one comes with a runny omelet on top of the chicken rice! Which is meltingly delicious. My boyfriend loves it in that way!
Omurice is a very popular home-cooked meal in Japan. I think most Japanese moms have served this at least once at home! It can be found at most restaurants in Japan, too!

Wow! It's quite some time ago, but in May, I made a funny omurice! Those fingers are sausages! I drew nails and the beer foam using mayonnaise. Funny, right? The word "おつかれさま★" in Japanese means "Have a nice evening! (after work)".
My boyfriend liked this idea ;)

Video Recipe Available :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJPOHS3qyx8

You know what!? I just received a message from Tokyo Marathon Organization and they said that the lottery (will be held in the middle of November) is highly competitive. There were 260,000 applicants but only 35,000 people could run. Hope I could participate...

Okay, I gotta stop. Have a nice day ;)

Please click below and vote for me.

How to Make Tasty Mayo Marinated Tuna and Avocado - Video Recipe

These days, we see on TV that the oil price increase hit deep-sea tuna fishing industry.
Too sad... I love tuna!
How times have changed!!!
I wonder whether we are doing the right things for future generations...




Today I will translate my recipe using "sushi-su" (sushi vinegar or Japanese seasoned rice vinegar). It is a rice vinegar mixed with sugar and salt. The most popular manufacturer of sushi-su is Mizkan! Their products are also available overseas!

The slightly sweet flavor of sushi-su gives a small amount of mayonnaise a rich flavor, which is better for your health ;)



---------------------------------
Tasty Mayo Marinated Tuna and Avocado

Difficulty: Very Easy
Time: 5min or less
Number of servings: 2-3

Ingredients:
1 avocado
110g (3.8oz) Sushi grade tuna
A
* 1 tbsp. mayonnaise
* 2 tsp. Sushi-Su (Sushi vinegar)
* 1/2 tbsp. soy sauce
* a bit of Wasabi (Japanese Horseradish Paste) if desired
Kizaminori (finely shredded Nori sheet)

Directions:
1. Mix A in a bowl.
2. Cut avocado and tuna into cubes, place them in the bowl (1.), and toss lightly.
3. Arrange (2.) neatly in a dish, sprinkle with Kizaminori on top, and serve.

My original recipe in Japanese is here.
---------------------------------

You know what!? Yesterday, I was searching the web and found a lot of recipe contests in the US! I didn't know that it was also a popular promotional project there!

2008 Recipe, Cook-offs and Food Related Contests for both amateur cooks and professional chefs
http://www.foodreference.com/html/recipecontests.html

I didn't search further, but should be more! How amazing!!!
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Creamy Avocado Doria (Japanese Rice Gratin) - Video Recipe

Yesterday, I had a long meeting at work. It was raining all day long. And is still raining... Because of the weather or whatever, I was so tired that I wasn't able to finish my diary and went to bed.

This morning, I woke up at 6!
My boyfriend had to leave home at 7:30 (to attend on-the-job training), so I made him breakfast.
I left home with him and relaxed at a cafe in front of the station, thinking new recipes for few hours. Since I worked early in the morning, I could organize my ideas by noon! I shopped all the food stuff I needed for tomorrow and came back home.

Is it because of the rain and cold? I have a pain in my knee :( One problem after another... My ankle has just healed!

Anyway. I won't be writing my details! Ha-ha.
Today, I will translate one of my popular dishes!
Up to now, 24 people have made this and said good :)

Please try it out if you have a chance!
It's my boyfriend's favorite!!!

Print on your Postcard

---------------------------------

Creamy Avocado Doria (Japanese Rice Gratin)

Difficulty: Medium
Time: 30min
Number of servings: 20cm (8inch) pie dish

Ingredients:
((Fried Rice))
400g (14oz.) cooked white rice
100g (3.5oz.) thick sliced ham *sausage is okay
50g (1.7oz.) onion
50g (1.7oz.) green pepper
30g (1oz.) carrot
10g (0.3oz.) butter
salt and pepper
((Avocado Cream Sauce)) *200cc ready-made white sauce is okay
100ml consomme soup
100ml soy milk *milk or whipping cream is okay
2 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. corn starch
1 bay leaf *if you have
10g (0.3oz.) butter
salt and pepper
1 avocado
shredded pizza cheese

Directions:
((Fried Rice))
1. Dice ham into 1/2inch (1cm) pieces. Chop onion, carrot, and green pepper.
2. Heat butter in a pan on medium. Fry the diced ham until browned. Add onion, carrot, and green pepper, and saute until soft.
3. Add cooked white rice, mix well, and season with salt and pepper.
((Avocado Cream Sauce))
1. Dice the avocado.
2. Pour the consommé soup into a pan. Mix flour and corn starch with the same amount of water and add to the soup. Add the soy milk. Add a bay leaf if you like. Heat on low, stir constantly until the sauce thickens.
3. Turn off the heat, add butter, remove the bay leaf, then add the diced avocado.
4. Heat again on low for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
((Finish))
1. Butter an 8inch (20cm) pie dish. Put the fried rice mixture in the bottom, and spread the avocado cream sauce evenly over the rice.
2. Sprinkle with shredded pizza cheese and bake in a preheated oven at 480F (250C) for 10-15 minutes or bake in a toaster oven until the top is lightly browned.

レシピ（日本語）
http://cooklabo.blogspot.jp/2008/10/blog-post_10.html
---------------------------------

I'm gonna take a nap!
I can barely keep my eyes open...
See you next week!!!

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Aojiso Flavored Natto Dressing Salad - Video Recipe

Hello! Today is Friday!
I can't wait for the weekend to begin!!!

Yesterday, I realized that my "Aojiso Flavored Natto Dressing Salad" is now introduced at Riken's Aojiso 20th Anniversary website!
You can vote for a recipe on this anniversary website, but I guess it is hard to figure out how...

I wrote about this recipe before, but I haven't translated it yet, so today I will :)








---------------------------------
Aojiso Flavored Natto Dressing Salad

Difficulty: Very Easy
Time: 3min
Number of servings: 2

Ingredients:
1 package (1.7oz.) ground Natto (traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans)
2 tbsp. Riken's non-oil Aojiso (Shiso/perilla leaves) dressing or any other Japanese-style dressing of your choice
2 servings Japanese-style mixed salad pack of your choice
chopped scallion (green onion)
Kizaminori (finely shredded Nori sheet)

Directions:
1. Mix ground Natto and the dressing.
2. Place salad on a platter, pour Natto over, sprinkle with Kizaminori and chopped scallion on top and serve.

レシピ（日本語）
http://cooklabo.blogspot.jp/2008/02/blog-post_19.html
---------------------------------

On Wednesday, I got all my cavities fixed!
Now I can see my orthodontist again :)
I can't wait to get my teeth straightened!

See you next week!

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California Roll

It was very freezing and raining this morning!
I wore down-jacket...
It has been raining since Saturday night.
On Saturday morning, I took some pictures of cherry blossoms but they weren't in full bloom.

This morning, I saw them falling in the rain, so I guess Saturday was the peak.

Today, I will translate my California Roll recipe.
It is perfect and gorgeous selection for Ohanami, (cherry blossom viewing)!

Video Recipe Available :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQZEf3NCCo4



---------------------------------
California Roll

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 60min (includes rice cooking time)
Number of servings: 8 rolls (48 pieces)

Necessary Equipment:
suihanki (Japanese rice cooker)
makisu (bamboo sushi-roll mat)

Ingredients:
3 cups uncooked Japanese rice (short-grain rice)
A
* 4.5 tbsp. rice vinegar
* 1.5 tbsp. sugar
* 1.5 tsp. salt
2 avocados
20-24 imitation crab sticks
4 nori sheets
toasted sesame seeds
soy sauce
wasabi (Japanese Horseradish Paste) if desired
pickled Ginger if desired

Directions:
1. Cook rice and place in a bowl. Add A while the rice is hot and slice through rice using rice paddle to separate the grains.
2. Peel avocados and cut them into 8 strips each (total of 16 stripes).
3. Cover a bamboo sushi-roll mat with plastic wrap. Cut nori sheet in half and place it on the bamboo sushi-roll mat, shiny side down.
4. Spread 1/8 of sushi rice (1.) on the nori sheet using your finger tips, little bit moistened with water. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the sushi rice and turn it over so that the nori sheet facing you.
5. Place avocado and imitation crab sticks lengthwise on the nori sheet. (cut them if too long.)
6. Roll the bamboo mat forward, hold the line of ingredients firmly with your fingers, stop and leave about 1/3 inch of sushi rice, make sure all the ingredients are pressed in, roll it completely, gently press the mat around the roll to shape it (do not squeeze).
7. With a moistened knife (bread knife cuts well!) cut the roll into 6 pieces (re-wet as needed. don't push but pull to cut!).
8. Serve with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.

My original recipe in Japanese is here.
---------------------------------

You know what!?
The bread knife, I mentioned in the recipe, is the Miracle Blade which I purchased at eBay 5 years ago.
I saw it on TV and wanted to get one!
Actually it comes in a kit but I purchased only one.
I don't know the name of the knife, but on TV, it could even cut a rock!!!
It couldn't really though, ha-ha.

Please click below and vote for me.

Sauteed Pork with Salt Sauce

Hi there!
It is nice and warm again :)

Yesterday, when I got home, I found some aspirin under the table...
It seems like my boyfriend had a hangover!
Then, I opened the refrigerator and found that he has left and put his breakfast there...

He should have told me that he didn't feel like eating!
I could have saved time preparing!!!
Anyway, I served him that for his dinner, ha-ha.

Last night, since I could save time cooking dinner, I rebooked our plane tickets.
Actually, I needed to make a payment for the extra cost because the fuel surcharge increased. So I used this opportunity to cancel and rebook them. I found little cheaper ones due to the exchange fluctuations. They didn't make up for the extra cost, but were better than before.
Hope I'm all set now.

You know what! I hate my supervisor!
He is still in his 40s but has low energy and does everything very slowly. Also, he never listens to people. He just does what he believes is right. In addition, I don't like him cleaning his ears at his desk!

Today, I had a chance to translate another recipe.
It is my most popular recipe!
At this moment, 480 people have photo reported and said they liked it, so please try it out if you get a chance :)

Video Recipe Available :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kRuK-pIY3E



Please subscribe :)
http://www.youtube.com/ochikeron

---------------------------------
Sauteed Pork with Salt Sauce

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 5-10min
Number of servings: 2-3

Ingredients:
200g (0.4lb.) thinly sliced pork
100g (0.2lb.) onion
A
* 1 tbsp. grated ginger
* 1 tbsp. sake
* 0.5 tsp. salt
* 1 piece finely chopped garlic
sesame oil
cracked black pepper
shredded cabbage

Directions:
1. Cut thinly sliced pork into bite-size and season with A. Slice the onion.
2. Heat sesame oil in a frying pan, and fry sliced onion until slightly softened.
3. Add seasoned pork in the pan and saute until pork is no longer pink.
4. Finish with cracked black pepper and dash of sesame oil.
5. Serve over shredded cabbage.

My original recipe in Japanese is here.
---------------------------------

Enjoy!

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Nimono (Simmered Dishes)

Click to view recipe :)
- Buri Daikon (Japanese amberjack or yellowtail simmered with daikon)
- Chicken Drumsticks Simmered in Tomato Vinegar Sauce
- Easy Nishime
- Juicy Tender Simmered Eggplant and Shimeji
- Maple Bacon Simmered Hijiki Seaweed
- Miso Cheese Simmered Eggplant Witch
- My Mom's Juicy Tender Simmered Eggplant - Video Recipe
- Ratatouille Pizza
- Simmered Chicken in Grated Potato - Video Recipe

Okashi (Sweets)

Click to view recipe :)
- Action Painting Cookies
- Chocolate Muffins
- Crispy Hina-Arare Cheese Truffles
- Decorated Chocolate Bar
- Healthy Kit Kat Rare Cheesecake
- Love Decoration Cookie
- LOVE Message Chocolate Chunk Muffins
- Mango Yogurt Soy Milk Mousse
- Microwave Cookies - Video Recipe
- Osakana Kuwaeta Doraneko - Video Recipe
- Prune And Banana Yogurt Cake - Video Recipe
- Tofu??? - Video Recipe
- Yogurt Pomme-Pomme

Okazu (Side Dishes)

Click to view recipe :)
- Addictive Japanese Croquette
- Anchovy Garlic Tamagoyaki
- Asparagus Kanitama
- Asparagus Rolls with Healthy Kimchi Sauce
- Bite-Size Jap Style Tonkatsu
- Juicy Tender Simmered Eggplant and Shimeji
- Maple Bacon Simmered Hijiki Seaweed
- My Mom's Juicy Tender Simmered Eggplant - Video Recipe
- SPAM Pork Tsukune
- Stir-Fried Ginger Pork and Cabbage
- Stir-Fried Komatsuna and Crab Meat
- Stir-Fried Watermelon Rind - Video Recipe
- Sweet And Sour Potato Pork Roll
- Tonkatsu - Video Recipe
- Vegetarian Kinpira - Video Recipe
- Western Style Green Pepper, Carrot, and Egg Kinpira

Itamemono (Stir-fried Dishes)

Click to view recipe :)
- Ketchup Miso Stir-Fried Pork and Cabbage
- Sauteed Pork with Salt Sauce - Video Recipe
- Stir-Fried Ginger Pork and Cabbage
- Stir-Fried Komatsuna and Crab Meat
- Stir-Fried Mozuku
- Stir-Fried Pumpkin and Pork with Tenkasu
- Stir-Fried Watermelon Rind - Video Recipe
- Vegetarian Kinpira - Video Recipe
- Western Style Green Pepper, Carrot, and Egg Kinpira
- Yakisoba - Video Recipe

Gohanmono (Rice Dishes and Sushi)

Click to view recipe :)
- Beef Beer Curry and Rice - Video Recipe
- Bite-Size Tomato Cup Sushi
- California Roll - Video Recipe
- Colorful Vegetables Steamed Rice
- Creamy Avocado Rice Gratin
- How to Cook Steamed White Rice (Gohan) - Video Recipe
- Kampai Omurice - Video Recipe
- Katsu Curry - Video Recipe
- Katsudon - Video Recipe
- Lady Gaga Bento - Video Recipe
- Nanakusagayu (Seven-Herb Rice Porridge)
- Onigiri - Video Recipe
- Sobameshi Keema Curry - Video Recipe
- Tuna Gomoku Takikomi Gohan

Nabemono (Stews and Soups)

Click to view recipe :)
- Beef Beer Curry and Rice - Video Recipe
- Katsu Curry - Video Recipe
- Nanakusagayu (Seven-Herb Rice Porridge)
- Onion Potato Miso Soup - Video Recipe
- Sukiyaki
- Ton (Pork) Balls Nabe

Pan (Breads)

Click to view recipe :)
- Katsu Sando - Video Recipe
- No Yeast Easy Pizza Dough
- Ratatouille Pizza

Aemono (Dressed Foods)

Click to view recipe :)
- Balsamic Marinated Avocado and Tomato
- Crunchy Wakame Salad - Video Recipe
- Crushed Cucumber Salad Marinated in Sesame Vinegar
- Dashi Marinated Tomatoes
- Easy Tasty Cold Tofu - Video Recipe
- Glittering Chinese Sauce Marinated Chicken Fillet
- Rich Mayo Marinated Tuna and Avocado
- Spinach Ohitashi (in Lady Gaga Bento) - Video Recipe
- Tea Leaves Baked Potatoes
- Yukari Marinated Cucumber

Nomimono (Drinks)

Click to view recipe :)
- Fat-Burning Sour Drink
- Green Veggie Latte
- Soy Banana Collagen Smoothie - Video Recipe
- Watermelon Sangria - Video Recipe

Salada (Salads)

Click to view recipe :)
- Aojiso Flavored Natto Dressing Salad
- Crunchy Wakame Salad - Video Recipe
- Healthy Shredded Chicken Salad
- Healthy Tofu Rolled Pork Steak Salad
- Non-Fried Korokke (Croquette-Like Potato Salad) - Video Recipe
- Broccoli Tree

Agemono (Deep-Fried Foods)

Click to view recipe :)
- Addictive Japanese Croquette - Video Recipe
- Bite-Size Jap Style Tonkatsu
- Love Heart Chocolate Corn Dogs
- Love Heart Cutlet - Video Recipe
- Tempura
- Tonkatsu - Video Recipe

Yakimono (Grilled and Pan-Fried Dishes)

Click to view recipe :)
- Asparagus Kanitama
- Healthy Pan-Fried Minced Cutlet
- Healthy Tofu Rolled Pork Steak Salad
- runnyrunny999's Curry Flavored Chicken Wings - Video Recipe
- SPAM Pork Tsukune
- Sweet And Sour Potato Pork Roll
- Takoyaki - Video Recipe