Nintendo 3DS

A few weeks ago, my darling won Nintendo 3DS at his office party :D



I was a game person when I was small but I haven't played games since after Nintendo 64... I am more to Apple stuff recently. haha

When is the last time you played games?!

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寿恵川 (Suekawa)

Hi there!

On the weekend, I had unagi (eel) at 寿恵川 (Suekawa)!!! In Japan, it is said that you can gain strength by eating unagi especially in summer!

But to tell the truth, I don't really like unagi... so, I tried out the one that people say it's good to see how I'd like it ;)

We first enjoyed their appetizer (sunomono) and cold sake, since it takes 30 minutes to cook unagi. LoL



So, here are the unajyu (eel served on rice) we had!

The first image is my darling's unajyu (松), which costs about 30 bucks.



I tried the smallest one (梅) but it still costs 17 bucks.



Believe it or not, I really could eat this unagi!!! Yay!!! It was amazingly delicious :D It is something that we can't make it at home since the tare (eel sauce) and the eel are different!!!

I think it was worth to try :D

But I don't think I can eat chewy fish or fish offal even if it's the best grade. Or, any kind of offal meat at Yakiniku. haha

Can you?!



Bye for now!

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How to Make Katsudon (Pork Cutlet Rice Bowl #YURI ON ICE) - Video Recipe

Katsudon is a pork cutlet rice bowl. Salty sweet flavor goes great with white rice! I hope you like it.

Katsudon

You can make it from 1 serving, perfect for a quick meal ;)

Deep Frying Oil I used:


Hon-Dashi (packaged Dashi powder):


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

Katsudon

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30min
Number of servings: 1 serving

Ingredients:
((Tonkatsu))
1 boneless pork chops
salt and ground black pepper
* flour
* beaten egg
* Panko (bread crumbs)
vegetable oil for deep frying
((Katsudon))
1 Tonkatsu
1 egg
30g (1/6) onion
* 75ml water
* a pinch of Hon-Dashi (packaged Dashi powder)
* 2 tsp. soy sauce
* 2 tsp. Mirin (sweet Sake)
Mitsuba (Japanese wild parsley) if you have
1 bowl of cooked white rice

Directions:
((Tonkatsu))
1. Slash the fat rimming of pork chops in several places to keep the meat from curling or shrinking when deep-fried. Pound the pork chops with a meat mallet or a rolling pin to make them tender. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Flour the pork chops lightly, dip in beaten egg, then coat with Panko. Use one hand for coating flour and Panko, and use the other to dip in egg to keep one of your hands dry.
3. Deep fry them in oil at 170C (340F) until thoroughly cooked golden brown. (Turn the pork over to cook evenly.) Remove the Tonkatsu from the oil and drain.
((Katsudon))
1. Cut Tonkatsu into small pieces. Slice the onion. Chop Mitsuba (Japanese wild parsley) into small pieces.
2. Put water, Hon-Dashi (packaged Dashi powder), soy sauce, Mirin (sweet Sake) in a pan and bring to a boil.
3. Add onion slices and simmer on low heat for a few minutes until tender.
4. Beat an egg, bring the soup to a boil, pour the egg over the onions, then lightly mix with the chopsticks. Quickly add Mitsuba leaf (Japanese wild parsley), cover, then turn off the heat.
5. Put steamed rice in a rice bowl, place Tonkatsu pieces, pour the simmered egg on top.

* You can simmer the Tonkatsu in the egg but to enjoy crispy Tonkatsu, I will simply pour the simmered egg over the Tonkatsu :D

↓レシピ（日本語）
http://cooklabo.blogspot.jp/2011/08/blog-post_13.html
---------------------------------

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Good and Bad 8th Anniversary...

Yesterday (8/11) was the 8th anniversary since I dated with my darling. We put off our celebration to the weekend but my darling bought me a nice sunflower bouquet that made me really happy!



At the same time, he opened an invitation to his friend's wedding and realized it was on 10/10, when we reserved a famous restaurant (hard to book) to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary X'( Of course, we canceled the restaurant... It is nothing to do with anyone, but I was kind of shocked...

However, this morning, my darling taught me a plan for the anniversary that we are going to stay at a hotel on 10/10! Yay!!!

I know... he did a great job to cheer me up. LoL

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Tansan Senbei

My parents, younger sis and grandma have been to Arima onsen (hot spring in Arima) last week and got me some souvenirs :D

Tansan Senbei (thin sweet cookie-kind) is very famous there. I knew gaufres cookies (with cream) but not this one. But my darling knew it and I heard it is very well known to Kansai-jin (Kansai people). Really?!



Also my mom bought me some beauty products.



Anyways, today is 8th anniversary since I dated with my darling ;) He remembered it this morning! hehe I think we gonna celebrate (nothing special, though) it on Saturday!

It's high 35C (95F) in Tokyo!

Take care!!!

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How to Make Katsu (Japanese Deep-Fried Pork/Chicken/Beef Cutlet) - Video Recipe

Tonkatsu is a deep-fried pork cutlet. It is a very simple and popular home-cooked meal in Japan.

"Ton" means "pork" in Japanese. If you use chicken, it is called "Chicken-Katsu". If you use beef, it is called "Beef-Katsu".


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWeQHCAsSR4

I hope you learn how to make it and arrange it in the way you like ;)



Deep Frying Oil I used:
http://www.nisshin-oillio.com/goods/vegeoil/product/index.shtml

Very popular Tonkatsu Sauce I recommend:
http://astore.amazon.co.jp/shopping072-22/detail/B00Z9P6Q4A
http://astore.amazon.co.jp/shopping072-22/detail/B00Z63F0BU

---------------------------------
Tonkatsu

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 15min
Number of servings: 2

Ingredients:
2 boneless pork chops
salt and ground black pepper
* flour
* beaten egg
* Panko (bread crumbs)
vegetable oil for deep frying
toasted white sesame seeds
Tonkatsu sauce
Karashi mustard if you like
shredded cabbage

Directions:
1. Slash the fat rimming of pork chops in several places to keep the meat from curling or shrinking when deep-fried. Pound the pork chops with a meat mallet or a rolling pin to make them tender. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Flour the pork chops lightly, dip in beaten egg, then coat with Panko. Use one hand for coating flour and Panko, and use the other to dip in egg to keep one of your hands dry.
3. Deep fry them in oil at 170C (340F) until thoroughly cooked golden brown. (Turn the pork over to cook evenly.) Remove the Tonkatsu from the oil and drain.
4. Slice each Tonkatsu into small pieces and serve with shredded cabbage. Grind the white sesame seeds and mix into the Tonkatsu sauce. Dip the Tonkatsu into the sauce and eat. You can add some Karashi mustard if you like.

レシピ (日本語):
http://cooklabo.blogspot.jp/2011/08/blog-post_10.html
---------------------------------

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Store Brands

How often do you go for the store brands?!

I do very often! And my recent favorite is a bottle of red wine! This red wine is only about 6 bucks but it is pretty good :D :D :D I think I bought it for more than 5 times!!!



Value Plus is actually not a store but cheap suggested brand at many chain stores.

However, the store brands are not always better... you know if you have tried. LoL

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八昌 (Hasho)

Good morning :D

On Saturday, we finally had the famous hiroshimayaki (okonomiyaki with yakisoba) at 八昌 (hasho)! Yay! Crispy pork in between was distinctive. Yummy!!!!!!!

Their teppanyaki seafood was delish, too! I liked their sake called 誠鏡 (seikyo).

Their guts stew (もつ煮) is also famous but I can't eat, so we didn't order... can you eat guts kind?!



Yes. The festival (omatsuri) was held near home. But not that many food stalls. There were many kids dancing bon odori. hehe



At night we saw fireworks from the balcony. My darling took the pic :D



Yesterday we had a really bad thunderstorm in Tokyo due to the typhoon approached Okinawa. Now the weather is fine and too hot expecting high 93F (34C)!



I hope I can start editing my new video today.

See ya!!!

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Pumpkin Sashimi - Video Recipe

I made up this idea. Kabocha Sashimi does not exist, but it is very addictive and super delicious!!! Some people asked me how it tastes like. It is just like eating avocado with soy sauce ;) hehe


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS3WNRPFC8M

I used Kanten (agar agar powder) to firm up the Kabocha (Japanese Squash). Kanten contains a lot of fiber. It cleanses your digestive tract and cures constipation. Good for your health!

Kanten (agar agar powder) is a coagulant extracted from a seaweed called Tengusa. It is different from gelatin that you have to boil it until the boiling point, or it won't firm up!



FYI:
Kanten (Agar Agar Powder)
http://astore.amazon.co.jp/shopping072-22/detail/B003Q46ZE2
Wasabi
http://astore.amazon.co.jp/shopping072-22/detail/B00Z5XE35U

---------------------------------
Kabocha (Japanese Squash) Sashimi

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 20min + 60min cooling time
Number of servings: 4

Necessary Equipment:
mesh strainer

Ingredients:
400g (14oz.) Kabocha (Japanese Squash)
200ml soy milk (you can use milk)
4g (2 tsp.) Kanten powder (agar-agar powder)
soy sauce
Wasabi

Directions:
1. Scoop out the seeds of Kabocha and microwave on medium (500W) for 3 minutes to make it easy to cut.
2. Cut Kabocha into large chunks and remove the skin. Place them in a microwavable dish, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave on medium (500w) for 5 minutes until tender (cooked through).
3. Mash Kabocha using a fork while they are hot. Then push through the mesh strainer to strain.
4. Put soy milk and Kanten in a pot, then mix well. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2~3 minutes, mixing constantly. *Please watch carefully and turn down the heat a little bit if it starts to dry out.
5. Immediately, add the Kanten mixture into the mashed Kabocha and mix well.
6. Pour the mixture into a square container and cool in the fridge for about and hour to set.
7. Slice and serve with soy sauce and Wasabi if you like.

レシピ (日本語)
http://cooklabo.blogspot.jp/2011/08/blog-post_05.html
---------------------------------

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Groove Coaster - iPad 2

I really don't play computer games but few days ago, I played a game called Groove Coaster on my darling's iPad 2 and was really fun :D



Whether on a computer, online (facebook apps), or on a game console, how often do you play games?!

It's not because I played it, I woke up late this morning... so gotta move on to the next real fast!!!

See ya :D

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Upgraded Blogger Template

My old blogger template was not capable of using many of the new functions, such as Google +1 button and facebook like button, so I finally decided to take time to upgrade my template!

Whew... how do you like it?!

Not a big change, though. LoL

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Tofu??? - Video Recipe

It is a cheesecake ;)
I once served this as a side dish then my darling was like O_o lol


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htyqXRM6Y4o

Not only for fun but perfect for April Fools' Day prank!



---------------------------------
Tofu???

Difficulty: medium
Time: 20min + cooling time
Number of servings: 3-4

Necessary Equipment:
electric mixer

NOTE: Ingredients are listed in both American and metric measurements. However, please use a kitchen scale (metric measurements) to get a perfect result.

Ingredients:
100g (1/2 cup) cream cheese *room temperature
1 tbsp. sugar
200ml soymilk (you can use milk)
A
* 5g (1/2 tbsp.) unflavored granular gelatin
* 2 tbsp. water
B
* 1 egg white
* 1 tbsp. sugar
Kuromitsu (brown sugar syrup)

Directions:
1. In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, sugar, and soymilk (add little by little) with an electric mixer. The mixture does not have to be perfectly smooth.
2. Put A in a small bowl, let sit for 5 minutes until gelatin is soaked. Powder gelatin soaks fast, so mix water right before you use.
3. Put 1 in a large pot and heat until smooth. Reduce to low heat, add gelatin and mix until completely dissolved. (DO NOT Boil) Then put in a bowl and leave to cool.
4. Whip one egg white and sugar until they form soft peaks.
5. Add whipped egg white in the cream cheese mixture and gently fold in with a spatula until smooth.
6. Pour the mixture in a Tofu container (or any container) and cool in the fridge for about an hour.
7. Remove from the container and cut like you serve Tofu. Top with brown sugar syrup to look like soy sauce.

レシピ（日本語）
http://cooklabo.blogspot.com/2010/12/blog-post.html
---------------------------------

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Rakan-Jaya

On Saturday, my darling and I went to Kyodo station to have a famous okonomiyaki there but the restaurant was filled as soon as it opened... so we gave up. Usually they don't take a reservation but the sales clerk let us reserve for the next Saturday :D

At that evening, we walked around Kyodo station and my darling found an izakaya called らかん茶屋 (Rakan-Jaya). We searched the net and was highly rated, so we gave it a try!

Their recommended sashimi for two was amazing!



All foods were delish!!!



I think I will go there again :D



BTW, I am still editing the next video since I was busy yesterday. oops.

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