Vegan Cleanse Day 4

For brunch, I had an open-sandwhich on Rye bread with banana, peanut butter and honey.

 

Then for dinner, I had this salad:

Tofu & Avocado Salad on a bed of greens with Sesame Dressing

On the side, I lightly sauteed Maitake mushrooms with Avocado Oil and then sprinkled some truffle salt.

Green Curry

Made Green Curry at home for the first time. My friend who visited Thailand brought this set back for us. It was really delicious, spicy AND all-natural with no additives, which was an extra plus! If I find this set again, I want to pick up a few boxes. 

Used a lot of veggies (eggplants, zucchinis and bamboo shoots) so the flavor was a bit light, but it still turned out really good! Also used Chicken breast.

There's a paste inside which you melt with the coconut milk, throw in the veggies and meat, simmer and serve!

Oden

Nothing better than a big pot of Oden on cold winter nights! Whenever we go to Tsukiji and know that we are coming straight home, we buy fresh Oden-Tane, or ingredients from Tsukugon. It is hands down the BEST!

Make some dashi broth, add in vegetables, boiled eggs and all the Oden and just let it simmer...

Close-up.

I love Oden!

Lasagna Christmas

For Christmas Eve, I made lasagna like I have for the past 2 years in Japan (2010 here). In my opinion, this years turned out the best!

Must have spinach!

Celebrated with some bubbles!

I've been addicted to champagne recently...

vs Winter

These are my friends to help me battle the cold weather!

手作りハンバーグ (Salisbury Steak)

Hamberg, or Salisbury Steak (didn't know it was called this until I looked it up on wiki) is considered a comfort food in Japan. My boyfriend said that he used to make them often when he was a student. I've only made minced chicken or tofu versions, so on his day off, he cooked us a hearty dinner.

First, finely chop onions and carrots, and lightly saute.

Add the sauteed veggies into minced meat (we used a pork and beef mix, but any type of meat works).

Add in some panko, an egg, salt & pepper and throughly mix.

Shape them into favored shape/size. When shaping, make sure to get the air out by slapping them down on your palm.

After shaping them, lightly cook the the surface to get some color, before simmering them.

To make the sauce, we chopped fresh tomatoes and added Port Wine. Any wine works, but we didn't have any opened red wine, so we substituted with Port, which turned out great.

Add in the lightly cooked steaks into the sauce, close the lid and let simmer.

After adjusting the flavor or the sauce with some ketchup, Worcester sauce, salt and pepper, it's ready to eat.

完成

いただきまーす!

Halibut Acqua Pazza

A couple of weeks ago, I saw a fantastic deal on a pack of Halibut and wanted to try making something new. After browsing through recipes, I made a really simplified version of  'Acqua Pazza'. Most of the recipes called for clams or some other seafood but since I didn't have any at home I skipped it. The result was a major success! Couldn't believe how flavorful and delicious it was and the best part is that it was so easy to make.

I felt like eating it again today so I went to go pick up some Halibut. (After browsing recipes online, I guess any type of whitefish will work.)

I diced an onion, clove of garlic and 2 mini potatoes. Bought some cherry tomatoes and a jar of organic Kalamata Olives today. (Last time, I didn't have very many ingredients so I did it plainly with onions, garlic and carrots for color and it worked great.)

First, I sprinkled some salt on both sides of the Halibut and then I lightly seared it with just a little bit of Olive Oil.

After searing both sides, I added:

1/2 cup of white wine

 1/2 cup of water

all the vegetables (1st picture)

 and put the lid on.

After maybe 5-10 minutes, all of the flavors will mix together, making a full-flavored sauce. Add some salt and pepper.

Plate it, sprinkle some chopped Parsley (I used Italian Parsley), drizzle some fine Olive Oil... and EAT! Super easy to make, healthy and so tasty!

Gyoza

I made Gyoza (餃子) because I had a lot of chives leftover and frozen Gyoza skin and ground pork. I made it so I can freeze it for when I don't have time.

Mix ground pork with grated ginger and garlic, Oyster sauce, salt and sake. I read somewhere online that the Oyster sauce adds depth to the flavor so I've been adding some ever since.

Add in finely chopped chives.

Mix together and wrap in Gyoza skin.

Finished Gyoza!

広島焼き

My sister brought me back this

Hiroshima Yaki Kit from her trip from Hiroshima.

生地を広げて、

キャベツ、もやし、具、豚バラをのせて、

横で卵を割って広げて

蓋をしめて、具をむらす

出来上がりはこんな感じ

いただきまーす！

Christmas Eve

For some odd reason, they celebrate Christmas "Eve" instead of the actual Christmas day in Japan. It's also an "event" night for couples. When you go out to eat on Christmas Eve, restaurants are filled with couples and most everywhere has their own course dinners.

So we decided to eat at home because we wouldn't normally celebrate Christmas Eve anyways. Like last year, I cooked Lasagna.

Turned out really well!

Added a lot of Spinach and 2 types of cheeses, Mozarella and Grueyre. So hearty and delicious!

Tonight, for Christmas dinner, we will celebrate the "Japanese" way by going out to eat at a restaurant with a Christmas course. We haven't forgotten our Californian roots though... it's going to be a Mexican course dinner!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

My Summer Dish

I made Ratatouille for the first time this year. Because its so easy and healthy, it appeared often over the past couple of months. My sister took these shots of our Chicken & Ratatouille dinner.

For the Ratatouille, I lightly infuse the flavor of minced garlic in Extra Virgin Olive Oil and then add in whatever Veggies that I have. Add some wine (white or red, either works), a can of organic crushed tomatoes and let it simmer. The leftover is delicious the next day, especially if its chilled.

I also think I am REALLY close to perfecting Grilled Chicken: Crispy skin and juicy, tender meat. I marinate the chicken with salt, black pepper, minced garlic and white wine for at least 20 minutes. Grill the chicken skin-side first and add weight on it to make the skin crispy. So simple.

Zion watching my sister shoot.

Valentine's Day

Baked Flourless Chocolate Cakes for the first time this V-Day.

After researching through a lot of recipes online,

I made my own version with less butter and sugar

and instead added some Grand Marnier Liquor.

Success!

It turned out moist, rich and not overly-sweet.

On a side note, went to go see:

It was cute.. kinda long but cute.

Hope everyone had a lovely V-day!

Orzo Greek Salad

I really like the Orzo Greek Salad at the Whole Foods salad bar.

So I decided to try making some at home.
First attempt. Turned out pretty good.

Orzo, Kalamata Olives, Sundried Tomatoes, Basil,

Light Feta Cheese, Spinach, Red Onions, Fresh Peas & Corn.

Flavored with Olive Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Salt and Pepper.

Close up.