Broccoli Tree

This is one of my popular Christmas recipes. Already more than 50 people photo reported me and said it turned out great!

Because I don't have any Christmas tree at home, I created my tree using broccoli. It truly gives you the Christmas spirit ;)

Broccoli is known to contain anti-cancer compound called sulforaphane. However, the benefits are considerably reduced if the broccoli is overcooked. To ensure maximum nutrition and cancer-fighting power of broccoli, the best way to prepare is to boil or steam it lightly about 3 minutes until the broccoli is tough-tender.

---------------------------------
Broccoli Tree

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 5min
Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:
1 bunch of broccoli
1 tsp. salt
mayonnaise
your favorite dressing
process cheese

Directions:
1. Carefully wash broccoli and remove all traces of dirt. Cut and trim florets into pieces. Cook broccoli florets in a large pot of boiling salted water for 3 minutes, until bright green and tender-crisp. Drain in a colander and cool down. The salted water will bring out the color and flavor in the broccoli! You can also steam them (without salt).
2. Pile the broccoli florets (stem-side in) on a plate and mold with hands. Cut out process cheese with a 3-inch star-shaped cookie cutter. Attach a toothpick and place it on the top of the tree.
3. Decorate the tree with mayonnaise and pour your favorite dressing over the tree!

You can add grape tomatoes as ornaments :D

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

Tomorrow is a holiday (The Emperor's Birthday). I am going to print out our New Year's cards with my darling! I waited till the holiday, so that we can work together, you know!

Till next time ;)

Please click below and vote for me.

Kneipp Bath Salt Heublumen

This is my recent favorite herbal bath salt! I finally bought the largest 850g bottle, since it was on sale with many samples ;P

Kneipp's bath salt is derived from refined ancient seawater rock salt and natural herb (essential oil). It's natural Rock salt (minerals) keeps you warm and leaves your skin feeling silky smooth!

My favorite aroma is Heublumen (hay flower or wildflower in English). It has a similar addicting scent as geranium (my favorite herb). It helps me relax and balance my mind as well as my skin :D

Anyway, yesterday I took a day off to see my friend's baby. Her smile was really adorable. I mobile uploaded the photo on my facebook album ;)

How was your weekend?!

Please click below and vote for me.

Ear Muffs

I bought new ear muffs (thanks for those who taught me it is not ear warmers)! I always wear hoodie when I feel cold, but since I don't want to mess up my hair, I decided to get one ;)

Oh, anyway, I am testing my darling for a while but it seems like he doesn't care having a pile of paper tubes (currently five!!!) in our restroom... If it comes to this, I would wait for him to throw them away!

Tomorrow, I am taking a day off from work. Sometimes nice to refresh. hehe.

Please click below and vote for me.

Sweet And Sour Potato Pork Roll

This is my award winning recipe from Delcy's frozen vegetable contest.

I rolled up frozen potato wedges with slices of pork. Oyster sauce and black vinegar seasonings give Chinese style sweet and sour taste!

It of course goes great with white rice :)

---------------------------------
Sweet And Sour Potato Pork Roll

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 10min
Number of servings: 12 pieces

Ingredients:
12 thin slices of spare rib pork (any portion of sliced pork is okay)
12 frozen potato wedges
flour
salt and cracked black pepper
A
* 1 tbsp. soy sauce
* 1 tbsp. oyster sauce
* 2 tbsp. black vinegar
* 2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tbsp. sesame oil
thinly (lengthwise) sliced leek
red pepper threads

Directions:
1. Work with one slice of pork at a time. Place the slice of pork so that the length of it is running flat and vertically towards you. Sprinkle a bit of salt, cracked black pepper and flour onto one side and place the frozen potato wedge on the end of the pork close to you and start rolling. Repeat with the remaining pork slices and frozen potato wedges.
2. Heat sesame oil in a frying pan, place the rolls seam side down, make sure to flip the rolls so that all sides are cooked equally crisp and brown.
3. Add A and stir-fry until the seasonings blend.
4. Serve on a plate with thinly (lengthwise) sliced leek and red pepper threads on top.

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

Today I forgot to bring my iPhone with me because I changed my morning routine... you know what I mean X( On such a day, I have a plan to see my friends...! Damn!!!

Have a good weekend!!!

♥Please Subscribe to my YouTube Channel♥
http://www.youtube.com/ochikeron

♥Please "Like" me on Facebook♥
http://www.facebook.com/Ochikeron/

♥Follow me on twitter♥
http://twitter.com/ochikeron (English)
http://twitter.com/alohaforever (Japanese)

♥My Cookbook♥

Scallop Roses

This is my award winning recipe from Quick Scallop Recipe Contest held in Hokkaido on 11/4.

10 winners were selected out of 372 entries nationwide.

My recipe is real easy. It just requires 3 minutes to prepare! Very cute and gorgeous idea for your party appetizer!



---------------------------------
Scallop Roses

Difficulty: Very Easy
Time: 3min
Number of servings: 4 pieces

Ingredients:
4 jumbo sea scallops
12 thinly sliced prosciutto
Taberu La-Yu (Edible La-Yu)

Directions:
1. Wrap each scallop with 3 slices of prosciutto, like a rose.
2. Top scallops with Taberu La-Yu.

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

As I wrote before, Taberu La-Yu stormed Japan in 2010!!! Sorry if it is not available around you, but this item is really tasty and versatile. Must try out!!!

See you again :D

Please click below and vote for me.

SPAM Pork Tsukune (Japanese Teriyaki Meatballs)

This is my award winning recipe from SPAM Recipe Contest 2010.

Tsukune are Japanese meatballs. We use chicken or pork and can be fried, simmered, or grilled. Cooked with salty sweet sauce and yolk for dipping is a popular Izakaya style. I arranged it with SPAM and a hint of ginger!

It's a perfect recipe for bento since it goes great with white rice. At the same time, it's a tasty appetizer for your sake!

Print Out this recipe on your Post Card

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

SPAM Pork Tsukune

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 15min
Number of servings: 12 pieces

Ingredients:
150g (5.2oz.) SPAM
50g (1.7oz.) mixed vegetables
A
* 300g (10.5oz.) ground pork
* 1 clove of grated garlic
* 1 tbsp. grated ginger
* 1 egg white
* 1 tsp. starch
* salt and cracked black pepper
B
* 2 tbsp. soy sauce
* 2 tbsp. mirin (sweet sake)
1 tbsp. cooking oil
1 fresh beaten egg yolk (if preferred)
chopped scallions

Directions:
1. Dice SPAM into small pieces.
2. Mix (A) in a bowl by hand until the mixture comes together and sticky. Add mixed vegetables and diced SPAM, and mix well. Roll the mixture into 12 small oval balls.
3. Heat cooking oil in a frying pan, place (2.), cook until the surface is lightly golden, add (B), and simmer until the sauce thickens and almost dry.
4. Sprinkle chopped scallions and serve with fresh egg yolk sauce (if preferred).

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

Finally translated. Enjoy!

Please click below and vote for me.

Pink Jeweled Eyes Hello Kitty - Pros and Cons

What do you think of this Hello Kitty?

I think it's cute! It went nicely with my iPhone :D
I should have taken a picture together.

However, my darling and co-workers said it's weird...

Sometimes, I find Hello Kitty that I would never buy, so this might be one for others... People have different tastes, so that's why we have many Hello Kitty variations. hehe

Tonight, I am seeing my friends from college time. I have some time to shop at Sanrio. Yay!

Have a good day.

Please click below and vote for me.

My Birthday Present

On Saturday, my darling threw me a birthday party :D

As a present, he gave me exactly what I want! JILL STUART's mix blush #6! How sweet, he gave me a small pink bouquet along with it. They both came out nice in my keepsake photo :)

At night, my darling booked a restaurant called "SONO". They are famous for creative Japanese food and soba made of 100% buckwheat flour. Huge fried shrimps with tartar sauce were really juicy, chunky and yummy! Of course, their soba was fablicious. I loved the way they served the soba with fresh grated wasabi!!!

I really don't eat sweets for dessert (because my darling doesn't), but how happy to have a birthday cake in front of me :D Half each was too much, though. hehe.

I gave him back a lot of hugs and kisses :) Thank you!!!

BTW, the image at the top is me with my darling's Amazon Kindle. He put the Apple sticker on the back. Fake iPad?! haha.

Please click below and vote for me.

Full-Time Job Conflict

I work for the same company, 9-17 full time, for over 6 consecutive years. Even if I worked for such a long time, my opinion never go through. I sometimes get really frustrated if I'm asked to attend the meeting and give my opinion for that reason... Moreover, my supervisor is not at all enthusiastic. He always goes for the safe option, which is kind of disappointing. And now, he announced us that he doesn't have a hope in his current project... Of course, I have a lot to say for it because I don't want to use my time for nonproductive work...

However, yesterday, my friend at hula class told me I have to give up and think of just getting a salary. She used to say her opinion at work but gave up because it's just a waste of time. Also, she said going home at 17 is pretty advantage. Yeah, I totally agree with her.

Unfortunately, many of the big Japanese companies have seniority-based system, which salary and job position rise in accordance with age and length of service, so it's not a good idea to change a job. It just worsen my situation. Also, most employees at such companies overwork, which is not my style.

Why I remain at the same company is because I experienced hard time seeking a full-time job in NY after 911. I think I did tens of interns and tens of part-time job back then. That experience made me think changing a job just because you don't like is not a good reason...

Anyway, now my issue here is not changing a job...

But the girl told me that is not a good idea since the stable income is important. Right...

I will close my eyes for a while and turn down my enthusiasm. I know it's my temporary stuff...

What a birthday present!!!

Please click below and vote for me.

My Birthday and My New Year's Resolution 2011

Today is my birthday. I have no plan for tonight but hula dancing as usual. My darling said he will celebrate my birthday on Saturday, so I look forward to it :)

Well, I'm always busy, but why don't I stop for a moment and set my new year's resolution for 2011!

才色兼備

No wonder, I will set this as my goal. It's a four-character idiomatic phrase meaning woman gifted with both talent and beauty. This year, I met many women with both and realized they all spare no effort! In other words, efforts make them talented and beautiful!!! People say they are gifted, but why don't I always do my best?! Better than giving up! hehe :P

Anyway, I have 2 exciting plans for the next year. One is our new home and another is confidential at this moment! I hope everything goes fine, and mostly, I hope everybody including myself is healthy because good health makes me happy :D

Unfortunately, 2011 is my 厄年 (unlucky year). It is said spending big bucks can drive away evil spirits, so I hope it is the right time to buy new home!!!

Have a good day!

Please click below and vote for me.

puma HYBRID Jacket

Winter really has come. This morning it was chilly as predicted. However, I was warm enough since I bought a new dawn jacket yesterday :D I already have one from last year but it is so large and dressy that it doesn't suit to take a packed train and go to the gym after work, so I bought a sporty one!



puma HYBRID Jacket #556466-03. 90% down and 10% feather. Very light and warm!!! To tell the truth, puma is my favorite sport brand (because it is cute and popular among young girls) but I've never owned any of puma product until yesterday!

I went for turquoise blue color because it is my second favorite color! If I want to carry fuchsia pink accessories (my first favorite color), they complement each other nicely! Yes, I bought a sports bag, too :D I couldn't find an exact image on the site but looks like the image above. Believe it or not, I used to carry my gym stuff in a shopping bag (cute one of course), so I finally bought a real bag after 2 years! haha.

Unfortunately, all I bought were not on sale yet. If I want to get a discount, I had to wait till next year, so I bought them when needed. Also, I was afraid that the color I want would go out of stock. I don't really shop at list price, so that's why I'm saying this to myself. hehe.

No wonder I go to the GYM tonight!

Please click below and vote for me.

Veda Vie Ginger Syrup

Hi there! What good thing(s) do you take for your health?

Last time when I went to the aromatherapy salon (caon), they introduced me a ginger syrup product called "Veda Vie Ginger Syrup". I tried it and I liked it but I wasn't that interested in it... However, later, when I picked up a beauty magazine at the GYM, I found the product is popular among models and actresses!!! Why don't I get one!? I ran back to the salon last Saturday to get one. haha!

Ginger has warming effect, perspiration effect, fat-burning effect (8g-10g of ginger burns your fat!), antioxidant effect, antidotal effect, and body purification effect. It eases up your disorders such as cold limb, shoulder stiffness, and back problem.

A bottle of Veda Vie Ginger Syrup contains 200g of ginger, so it's really thick! You can enjoy spicy-sweetness and feel it's working on your body!

The drink is easy to make. You dilute the syrup with 6 to 8 times the amount of hot water, water, milk, tea, soda, or etc... I love to dilute it with hot water. Simple but luscious delicious!!! Also with plain yogurt or ice cream is my favorite.

Of course, adding ginger to your meals is as good as taking this ginger syrup! I would recommend to try out "Sauteed Pork with Salt Sauce". Now more than 1000 people have tried out and said good, so there is a guarantee :D

The temperature seems to go down from this afternoon. I have to be ready to wear my down jacket and keep warm!

Have a good day :D

Please click below and vote for me.

Versatile Blogger Award

Thank you mica for passing me the Versatile Blogger Award! I love the award with such a positive name! It makes me feel motivated!!!

In accepting this award, I've got to: (1) thank and link the person who gave me this award, (2) share 7 facts about myself, and (3) pass the award to 7 other blogs that I've recently discovered and leave them a note to tell them about the award.

I already thanked mica, so I will list 7 facts about myself!

FACT #1
I love pink but fuchsia pink! That's why my wedding flowers and my colored dress were in fuchsia pink. And of course, my iPhone is in fuchsia pink, too :D

FACT #2
I don't prefer to eat sweets since my darling doesn't like sweets... Maybe that's why I don't have that many sweets recipes. Good for my health, though!

FACT #3
When I'm angry, my darling always goes to sleep. But in fact, I LOVE his sleeping face. For me, he looks cute when he is asleep. I always forgive him while he's sleeping... X(

FACT #4
I love hula but the teacher! My hula teacher used to join the idle group called Ribbon, so she is really cute and has her aura!!! I respect her a lot and I want to be like her. So, that's why I go to hula every Thursday night even after work and do video taking after every term, not to forget what she taught us ;)

FACT #5
As you know... I make a mistake with enthusiasm...

FACT #6
I never did cooking before I met my darling but loved to create things (drawings, making tables, and many other art stuff)! I didn't even help my mom... After I met him, I realized cooking is a practical way to be creative, so that's why I loved it and I think I will cook my art forever!!!

FACT #7
I love NY, the place where I met my darling. We visit there every summer since we came back to Japan in 2004.

I know many are busy so I'm not leaving a note, but this award goes to jo, Nazarina, merce, theda_bara,  fran, Genki Gaijin Girl, and Cathy. Please do when you have time :D

Please click below and vote for me.

iPhone App Lost Data!

Today, fuck (now I would say...) iPhone app lost all data which I kept for about a year, DAILY!!! I always try to b/u important data, but it just happened. Damn!!! Am I careless or what?! I just can't believe it! Of course I claimed the author of the app. I don't think they can help me, though...

By the way, I p/o important e-mails, b/u my important files (since our PC is 6 years old), and I even b/u my blog posts (I don't think I'm gonna retrieve all my posts when corrupted but just in case I won't feel mad...). But I do those once in 2 months. Do I better do every month or week?!

I'm really disappointed by what just happened on me...

Please click below and vote for me.

My Accomplishments

Now again it is time to list my Accomplishments in November!

On 11/3, I attended the finals of SPAM Recipe Contest 2010. Details are HERE.

On 11/3, my Montblanc-Like Egg Salad was broadcast on CookTV. HERE, you can view the video of it! As its name suggests it looks like the sweet but actually is salad. hehe ;)


On 11/4, I attended the award ceremony of the Quick Scallop Recipe Contest held in Hokkaido. Details are HERE. The ceremony also appeared on the news. The award-winning are now on the web.

On 11/15, my Tandoori Okara Chicken Nuggets was appeared on P.81 of a recipe mook (magazine book) published by Kodansha.




On 11/11, my Sweet And Sour Potato Pork Roll won a prize and received 3 packages of frozen vegetable. Delcy sells frozen vegetables and they asked for bento recipes using their products.

On 11/18, 10th person has photo reported my Neapolitan Stir Fried Cabbage. Instead of using pasta, I used cabbage to cook spaghetti Neapolitan. Real healthy and yummy :D My darling loves it!

On 11/30, my Miso Mushrooms Marinated Matcha Soba received the highest award at Tomisen (soba dealer)'s website. Like I marinate greens, I marinated Matcha Soba, which is made of green powdered tea (the tea used for tea ceremony).

On 11/30, 10th person has photo reported my Tuna Egg Sandwich! Oh, btw, the photo reports are available down the page I linked. Sorry the site is in Japanese.



And I received the Smile Award at ABC Smile Recipe Contest and the Idea Award at Asadaame Contest, but not big enough to write about.

It is funny that the recipes I think good don't receive an award but those I don't put that much effort always get a place...

Life is not easy!!!

Please click below and vote for me.