Kyuri Su Shoyuzuke (Soy Sauce & Vinegar Pickled Cucumbers)
Su shoyuzuke Japanese style tsukemono, or pickles, marinated in a vinegar (su) and soy sauce (shoyuzuke) mixture is one of Bebe’s favorites. She wouldn’t complain if all she found on our dinner table were a huge bowl of these pickled cucumbers for a one-dish (unbalanced) meal. Whenever we visit my parents, my Mom is certain to make a batch of these delicious kyuri (cucumber) tsukemono a day ahead of our arrival, or on the morning we head over. Bebe loves, loves, loves these kyuri! My Mom always sends us home with some of her...
read moreBasics of Japanese Soy Sauce or Shoyu
Soy sauce, in many ways, is the backbone of Japanese seasoning and cooking. Before we delve into this subject, I realize that learning and reading about Japanese ingredients, such as soy sauce (shoyu) might not be of interest to some folks, but I’d like to share with you that writing about Japanese ingredients, foods and recipes has suddenly taken on a new meaning for me. I have a new job. That’s right, I am no longer Judy, (unemployed) stay-at-home-mommy, but rather, I am partially-employed Judy, freelance writer and...
read moreKorokke (Japanese Beef Croquette)
Every culture has it’s own version of a meat-and-potatoes meal, and the Japanese are no different. (Photo credit: Hideki Ueha) In Japanese cuisine, a meat-and-potatoes meal just might present itself in the form of a beautiful round croquette filled with a mixture of mashed potatoes, ground beef, and onions. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the most basic of Japanese-style croquette that you will find in most Japanese homes, and ours growing-up was no different. We, of course, never called these golden fried beauties croquette, but...
read more2014 Coaster Run
I waited one year to participate in what could possible be the best 5K in Southern California: The 2014 Coaster Run. In case you’re wondering, it’s the best, because Snoopy is the best. Yes, Snoopy graces the finisher’s medal, as well as the Coaster Run t-shirt. It makes it all worthwhile. About a year ago, I was looking forward to participating in the 5K Coaster Run at Knott’s Berry Farm, as well as the 1K Kid’s Run for Bebe. Last year, we tried to sign-up but we were late, and the event was sold out. It was...
read moreGreen Dessert for St. Patricks Day & Shamrock Craft
For the past two months I’ve been craving my Mom’s jello cheesecake dessert. St. Patrick’s Day seemed the perfect excuse for Bebe and I to make this together and “greenify” it for a festive March 17th. I changed the original dessert recipe from a walnut crust to that which is made of graham cracker crumbs. We also added several drops of green food coloring to the creamy cheesecake filling. Finally, we chose a brilliant and bright lime flavored jello for the topping. It was an easy dessert to make, and fun for...
read more2014 Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Green Fruit Kabobs
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Each year, for as long as I remember, my Mom made corned beef and cabbage for our family. The tradition continues today, as my Mom is likely boiling her corned beef as I write this post. I too, have kept our March 17th tradition and went out to buy corned beef and cabbage this morning, but unlike my Mom, I like to throw the meat in my slow cooker. In a few hours, I’ll also add the vegetables. Our family’s corned beef is slightly different than just boiled meat, however. Afterwards, we bake it for...
read moreAvocado Wontons and Apricot Soy Dipping Sauce
There are three things that I love at The Cheesecake Factory: 1. Vanilla Bean Cheesecake; 2. Mushroom Soup; and 3. Avocado Egg Rolls. Everything else on the menu is good and I have my favorites and not-so-favorites, but the three dishes I listed above are truly what get me through the restaurant’s doors. The first dish, Vanilla Bean Cheesecake, I will never, ever, try to re-create. Ever. It’s just one of those recipes that deserves to be made by a genius, so that people like me will pay $8 for a (somewhat small slice for $8) piece...
read moreHinamatsuri (Girls Day) Treat and Craft
Each year, during Hinamatsuri, or Girls’ Day, the Japanese markets near our home sell sweets specifically for celebrating this holiday. The most popular is “Hina Arare” or sweet puffed rice. The kids really seem to like this one. This year, we had a nice variety of treats thanks to my brother and my sister-in-law so I thought I’d share a photo of all the sweets we’ve been enjoying since yesterday. My favorite is the Botan Rice Candy. It’s a classic, very “old school” Japanese candy....
read moreIkura and Ebi Chirashi for Hinamatsuri (Cod Roe and Shrimp Scattered Sushi for Japanese Girls’ Day 2014)
Happy Girls’ Day! Today, March 3rd is Hinamatsuri, or Japanese Girls’ Day, and is also known as Girls’ Doll Festival. Dolls are displayed in the family’s home to wish for happiness and good fortune for all the girls in the family. This year, we managed to display our Hinamatsuri Dolls for longer than a few days as we remembered to set them out earlier in February. In years past, we hastily displayed our dolls just a few days before March 3rd, only to take them down immediately after the 3rd as it is considered...
read moreYaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Ball)
Yaki onigiri is a grilled (yaki) riceball (onigiri) which is often a staple at Japanese izakaya (tapas-style) restaurants both here in Southern California and also in Japan. Warm rice is lightly seasoned with salt and then formed into a ball, or in my case, a triangular-ball. Then, it is grilled over an open flame (yes, like an American-style BBQ grill) or a Japanese-style charcoal pit, or broiler grill. The grill that I use at home is an inexpensive stovetop fish broiler grill with a metal grate that nicely chars the onigiri (see photo...
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