Kinako-bo and mugi-cha (via Gourmande in Osaka)

LY old sweets

There is a surprise in the paper. Kinako (powdered roast soy beans) becomes … These are kinako-bo, sweets made of kinako and honey (or syrup). They taste a little like ginger bread, a little like caramels. (for the set) Cal 344.5 F11.7g C50.3g P17.9g The second surprise-pocket contains : It's roast wheat… oops, no, it's barley, actually. Omugi (barley) and komugi (wheat), 50% chance of error, I plunged. That will teach me to check. It is infu … Read More

via Gourmande in Osaka

Quick dashi from scratch… or from fish flakes (via Gourmande in Osaka)

LY : the first step of Japanese cooking

Fish flakes… I am cheating, I could start with a block of dried fish and shave it, but I don't do that. You can buy this "kezuri katsuo", bonito flakes in Asian grocery stores. Dashi is the stock. It will take 2 minutes of your time to do it. That's a basic for decent Japanese cooking. What's wrong with instant dashi ? Not much, only MSG, preservatives, flavoring and higher price. This is one recipe, among others. I use a combo of 3 ingredients … Read More

via Gourmande in Osaka

Mousse de foie aux olives et romarin (via Gourmande in Osaka)

Take the plain "mousse de foie de volaille" (chicken liver paste), like here : Mousse de foie de volaille , made of liver, butter, bouquet garni, onion, brandy. Add : Fragrant fresh rosmary. And slices of black olives… OK, bits, not slices as you have 2 sorts of olives the unpittables and the not-so-good. Wait 24 hours, so the flavors can blend. That changes everything. For a tartine… or two. … Read More

via Gourmande in Osaka

Hanbaagu – A burger with greens (via Gourmande in Osaka)

This is not exactly like in your local burger place… I often asked to Japanese Mums : "So you said you cooked healthy meals for your children. What is your specialty ? -Hanbaagu ! -Hamburger is healthy ? -Not hanbaagaa like in fast-food shops. Hanbaagu. It's full of fresh vegetables. And my kids love it…" Yes, Japanese style hamburger is a vegetable preparation. With a little meat in it. This is one of the classic "yoshoku" dishes. "yoshoku" … Read More