Tri-Bean Summer Salad

Tri-Bean Summer Salad

  I really wanted to entitle this post, “Good Job, Auntie!” I somehow managed to refrain, although I am definitely patting myself on the back right now, despite a few “hiccups”. My 22 month old nephew came over this morning for just a few hours since he needed someone to look after him and I didn’t call in the cavalry (a.k.a. Aya-chan) to see if she was available to help, and I didn’t have Big Onechan to...

Read More

Nasu Miso (Miso Glazed Eggplant)

Nasu Miso (Miso Glazed Eggplant)

Lately, I’ve been making dishes at home that I’ve enjoyed at some of my favorite restaurants, and nasu miso is no different. One of my favorite dishes at Fukada, a Japanese restaurant near the Irvine Spectrum in Orange County, serves a delicious side dish, nasu miso. It’s pan-fried eggplant dressed with a savory-sweet miso glaze. Some of you might be familiar with this dish as it is commonly found on Japaneseizakaya restaurant...

Read More

Gomaae (Japanese Sesame Dressing)

Gomaae (Japanese Sesame Dressing)

I’m the only one at home that likes cauliflower.  Why is that?  Is cauliflower THAT unpopular? Growing up, I ate this regularly, probably as often as I ate broccoli, green beans, snow peas, eggplant, corn, asparagus, artichoke and all kinds of other vegetables.  My mom was great at making sure we had plenty of veggies at dinner. Maybe I was just a weird kid because I loved so many vegetables?   Bebe Dada and Big Onechan no longer...

Read More

Tofu Steak with Mushroom Sauce

Tofu Steak with Mushroom Sauce

  Every so often I get a craving for tofu steak. Do you ever crave tofu steak?!? Well, I had a craving for this a while back and made what I believed to be a “hearty” vegetarian dinner. I used to order tofu steak quite often at a little hole-in-the-wall izakaya in West Los Angeles (WLA) on Santa Monica Boulevard called Terried Sake House. Have any of you ever tried this place? It’s been a very long time since I’ve...

Read More

Homemade Granola & Happy Memorial Day!

Homemade Granola & Happy Memorial Day!

I know the Memorial Day Holiday has already passed, but, as always, I am behind on my foodie posts. I cook faster than I write. Or, maybe I just have too much to write, much like I talk too much, and therein lies my problem?!? Albeit late, I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day. On Sunday, we had a nice family BBQ with bebe dada’s family. Bebe E had her first outdoor pool experience and was able to splash her feet and stand on the first...

Read More

Baked Garlic Fries, Game 6

Baked Garlic Fries, Game 6

  What can I say… our Lakers ROCK!  Congrats to our Western Conference Champions!  Yay!!!  :) Saturday night’s Game 6 of the Lakers vs. Suns Western Conference Finals had my nerves on edge, especially in the 4th quarter!  The Lakers looked good opening up the 1st quarter with a few quick shots from Andrew, Kobe and Ron, but it wasn’t until late in the 3rd quarter that I really started to get nervous. With a 17-point lead...

Read More

Scalloped Potato Gratin

Scalloped Potato Gratin

  To say I hate potatoes would be too harsh, so let us say that the potato and I tolerate one another, like frenemies. For simple Japanese dishes that require the use of my enemy, the potato, I will cook with it, and season it lovingly, but when it comes time to eat, I will only take a few small bites of the large starchy root. In other dishes such as clam chowder, curry, or stew, I secretly hope that I over-cook my enemy so that it shrinks to...

Read More

Green Onion Pancakes

Green Onion Pancakes

I had a rare craving for green onion pancakes and decided to make this for my lunch.  Perhaps not the healthiest lunch, but I did try to make this with whole wheat flour.  That didn’t turn out so well, but if anyone has any tips on how to make this with whole wheat flour – by all means, please let me know!  So I had to dump that (a waste, I know – felt guilty – hate to waste food), and make a second batch using white...

Read More