White waterfall (konnyaku noodles, shirataki)

DSC06794-002
DSC06764-002

糸こんにゃく (itokonnyaku) or しらたき(shirataki). They are noddles made of konnyaku. Shirataki means white waterfall as that’s what they look like. And who doesn’t want to eat a fresh mountain torrent in this season ?

DSC06768-002

Myoga, a veggie related to ginger. Delicious raw.

DSC06763-002

The noodles are sold in bundles that can unfold or not if you want to cook them in a hot pot. I simply rinsed them in cold water.

That’s a food without calories and it’s popular in the West some diet extremists. I don’t eat konnyaku in order to stuff my face without getting the calories. The food is appreciated in Japan for its texture and the lack of flavor that allows you to match to any flavorful food. A perk is konnyaku fiber favors smooth digestion.
These noddles, served chilled are very refreshing.

DSC06795-002

The tsuyu (dip sauce : dashi broth + soy sauce + mirin) with grated daikon radish. All the flavor comes from it so the tsuyu has to be coarse. I added green yuzu slices and the myoga.

DSC06779-002

Natto with mustard.

DSC06786-003

A small gaspacho.

DSC06771-002

Bought black gomadofu (black sesame tofu). You can make yours (recipe). This one is sweet. I served as dessert it with a yamamomo berry.

DSC06778-002

DSC06802-002

Yamamomo tofu cake

DSC03925-002DSC05503-001

A fresh dessert made with this season fruit. Simple and very refreshing.

DSC05462-001

Full size (served in the dish) :

Scramble a small block of momen tofu (firm tofu), add 4 tbs of flour, 1 tbs of potato starch, 3 tbs of almond oil, vanilla extract and a little rum. Add enough water to get a batter nearly liquid.

DSC04036-001

About yamamomo

Rinse a few fruits and roll them in sugar. Place in the dishes. Cover with batter. Bake (about 40 min, not too hot). It’s not totally firm but top should be golden. Let cool. Serve the next day, chilled.

DSC05479-001

Small version.

DSC05485-001

Out of the mold. Sprinkle a little vanilla sugar on top.

DSC05510-001

The contrast of the flavorful tart fruit and the soft creaminess of tofu is delicious.

DSC05522-001

Yamamomo on the pie, when strawberries grow on trees…

DSC04046-001DSC04063-001

It’s a second version of the Japanese flavor pie. I have added yamamomo a season fruit.

DSC03925-002

So this is the beast. The “Chinese strawberries”. They grow on trees, particularly in Shikoku islands. In Japanese, they are called 山桃 yamamomo (mountain peaches). Even though it’s a very ancient Japanese fruit, it’s not so common on markets these days. I’m glad when I can get some.

2013-06-113 pie base here

DSC04036-001

Then place a few yamamomo (the greenest, not so good to eat raw) and the filling and a little cane sugar on each.Bake.

DSC03971-001

Coat with raspberry jelly. Let cool.

DSC04027-001

Like the basic pie, it’s delicious served chilled.

DSC04083DSC04080-001