My Plan for Summer Vacation

Every summer, I visit New York with my boyfriend.
It is already our 5th visit this year.
In other words, it has been already 5 years since we came back to Japan. (We used to live in New York.)
Actually, the first year, we went there in winter because the tour package was real cheap.
However, the weather was freezing cold (we forgot about the weather), so we decided to go there in summer from then on.

Badly, fuel surcharge is increasing every year.
5 years ago, it was about $50, but now is about $400!!!
Including airport tax and the other fee, we will be charged about $500 this year...
So, this year, I searched more precisely for the least expensive tour package.
But up to this point, I don't find any good one :(
I thought of booking plane ticket and hotel by myself, but surprisingly, the total price seems to be the same as the tour package.
However, today I found that if we select a little bit luxurious hotel, the total price becomes a good deal.
I guess I am talking to myself too much today.
No one understands this, right?
Okay, to conclude, I am still thinking!!!

Anyway, today, I forgot my key at home again...
It was the second time to borrow the key at real estate this year!
To justify myself, I forgot it because it was a garbage day!
Last time as well, I was thinking of throwing out garbage before I leave home, which my boyfriend doesn't do!!!

Finally, writing about my cooking!
Today, I will show you my Neapolitan Couscous Salad.
I came up with this idea from the meal served on the plane last year :)
The idea is everywhere!

Okidoki!
Bye for today!!!


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Peruvian Food

Hi!
Again, I didn't have a chance to write my diary on Friday.
I was just lazy doing nothing on that night...

These few days, I am bugged about my future direction.
I think this year shouldn't be the same as last year.
And now, it is getting clear!
Hope not give up thinking...

Anyway, on Saturday, my boyfriend and I went out for a dinner to eat Peruvian food in Shibuya.
El nombre del restaurante es MIRAFLORES :)
They serve real Peruvian food which Embassy of Peru recommend!
It has been more than 5 years since I last ate Peruvian Food, so I enjoyed a lot!
The reason why we went there is because, as I wrote before, I passed the initial screening to go to the finals and create drink recipes using camu camu for that restaurant.
I didn't have to go there and eat, but I was just curious to know what they serve.

Since we didn't know what to eat, we had a pre-fixed menu.
The food was good and was close to the Peruvian food I ate before.
They said they selected the most popular dishes for the course, but I think too much fish...
I hope they change one fish dish to chicken or something else.
But anyway, the portions were very big and we were satisfied :)

Interestingly, most of the customers there knew well about Peruvian food and they were ordering a la carte. I guess next time, we should better do so.

Okay, all for today!
Hope I could come back tomorrow.

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Ikanago no Kugini

I thought the spring has come but was a mistake...
This morning the weather forecast said that the spring is coming late this year...
Right! It was cold this morning and so as yesterday.
But somehow I could tolerate the cold since I believed that the spring is close.
Might better not seen that weather forecast to save utility charges.

Anyway, yesterday, my mom gave me Tsukudani (food boiled in soy sauce) made with Ikanago (sand eel/sand lance).
We call it "Ikanago no Kugini" in Japanese.
My grand mother, who lives in Kakogawa city (Hyogo prefecture), cooks a few kilograms of "Ikanago no Kugini" every year.

Ikanago no Kugini is a famous Tsukudani in Hyogo prefecture.
It is usually cooked and eaten around the end of February or early March, when the fish is about an inch long.
After its season, Ikanago goes deep in the sea where is cooler.
Then it goes under the sand and aestivate.

I love to eat Ikanago no Kugini every year.
I think I need to learn how to make this from my grandma someday.

Few years ago, I made lunch using Ikanago no Kugini for Ohanami (cherry blossom viewing).
Those flowers are Sakura (Cherry Blossom) made from thin slices of ham.
The green vegetable is field mustard.
The recipe in detail is here.
I never forget that my boyfriend forgot to take it with him.


Okay, I'm kind of drowsy, so see you again tomorrow.

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