Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

It is getting cold! The high is around 57F (15C) but chilly with dry air. Time to use heavy hand cream, I guess...

This summer, I bought Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve (5.0 fl.oz.) in NY and now it's doing a great job ;) Last winter, I wrote about my hand care items. I still use them but never enough, you know!!! I use hand cream every time after my hand-wash, so I need to keep a stock!

Changing my story, this afternoon, I went to see ENT doctor while at work because I had a runny nose (it hurt) and couldn't concentrate on my work!!! The doctor said my nose is not that swollen but prescribed me some pills. Should I need to see him?! Hope so... I know it is always cheaper and better to see a doctor than taking pills bought at a drug store! I hope I can go to the GYM tomorrow!!!
I always wash my hands and gargle when I got home, by the way...

I'm gonna go to bed now.
See you again...

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ANDERSEN Bread Contest

Yesterday, I went to Hiroshima to attend the cook-off final of the ANDERSEN's bread contest! ANDERSEN is a bakery. They try to make the most of our “Hygge” (means cozy) time with friends, family or on our own eating bread. They asked us for anniversary recipes using their bread. There were 5 finalists. (amazingly, 4 of us including me were from Tokyo area!) I woke up at 3 in the morning, took shinkansen at 6, and arrived at Hiroshima at 10. But the other 3 said they came a day before and stayed a night in Hiroshima. That might have been a good idea!

The grand prix was awarded to the lady who made croissant fruit cake. She said she makes it for her kids when they do a great job! Mine and others' were the outstanding performance award. My recipe was "inside-out beef cutlet sandwich". Of course I made it for my boyfriend (for his birthday) ;)

After the contest, we had a open sandwich party with judges (the CEO joined us as well). Their open sandwiches were like sushi (with fresh vegetables, meat, fish etc...) and was really great!!! There were more than 10 kinds. I think we (participants) had no sense of shame... we divided all into small pieces and shared each other.

I came back to Tokyo at 10PM. I didn't even have time to sightsee in the city or go window-shopping but I had a good time.

It's a small world!!! Next week, I am going to see the grand prix winner at a different contest!

Okay. I gotta go now.
Good night!

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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



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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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