I know the first thing people envision when you say tofu is that semi-solid block of soft curdled soy milk. Sometimes it’s served as is with a little bit of shoyu and sliced green onions, sometimes its heated so those curls of shaved bonito slowly dance on the surface of the block and sometimes its […]
Food
Takoyaki recipe たこ焼き
May 11, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Takoyaki, or grilled octopus balls, is one of Japan’s best-known street foods that originated in Osaka. Whether you make a traditional style with bits of octopus or other alternatives, these ball-shaped dumplings are fun to make with your friends and family! Takoyaki (たこ焼き) is a Japanese snack in the shape of little round balls containing […]
Cherry blossom cookies 桜クッキー
April 13, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Celebrate the magic of spring with these crispy and buttery cherry blossom cookies. Topped with edible salt-pickled sakura buds, these cookies are infused with the heavenly fragrance and flavor of Japanese cherry blossoms. Spring in Japan is so beautiful and magical. All the hills and parks are covered with pink and white cherry blossom trees, […]
THE GOCHISO GOURMET: Alternate sandwiches
March 16, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Way back in the 18th century, John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, supposedly had his valet place slices of salted beef between two slices of bread so his meal didn’t interrupt his regular marathon card games, thus creating the sandwich. Since then, many iconic variations of that Early (pun intended) sandwich have been created, […]
Ootoya’s Sweet and Sour Chicken (Tori Kurozu-An) 大戸屋鶏と野菜の黒酢あん
March 2, 2023 by Leave a Comment
A copycat recipe of Tori Kurozu-An from Ootoya, this Japanese-style sweet and sour chicken uses black rice vinegar in the sauce to create a deep, malty savory flavor. Sweet and sour dishes from Chinese restaurants are really popular and my children love them whether they are made with chicken or pork. This sweet and sour […]
Nabeyaki Udon 鍋焼きうどん
February 2, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Fight the cold days with this steamy nabeyaki udon served in a donabe. Topped with chicken, tenpura and heaps of vegetables in an umami dashi soup, this hot noodle soup will be your favorite kind of winter comfort food. Nabeyaki udon (鍋焼きうどん) is a hot udon noodle soup traditionally served in individual donabe (earthenware pot) […]
THE GOCHISO GOURMET: Another bean binge
January 19, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Yes, I’ve discussed the benefits of the humble legume on many occasions, but since I’ve retired from the day job and inflation still keeps most cuts of beef in the double digit per pound range and chicken well above $5 per pound, what better source of affordable protein is there? Not to mention that animal […]
Matcha Gateau au Chocolat 抹茶ガトーショコラ
January 5, 2023 by Leave a Comment
This is a Japanese rendition of the classic French chocolate cake! Made with white chocolate and green tea, this Matcha Gateau au Chocolat is rich, moist and intensely flavorful. Warm it up slightly before you enjoy it — the melty texture is to die for! Are you a big fan of matcha desserts? If yes, […]
THE GOCHISO GOURMET: 20 years of talking story
January 1, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Here in the 50th, when acquaintances engage in idle chit chat to pass the time, we call it “talk story.” It may be with a relative that you haven’t seen for a while at a family gathering, it may be with a friend on a weekend over a can or two of beer. Or it […]
THE GOCHISO GOURMET: Wine country revisit
December 22, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Our last trip seems like a lifetime ago, as it was well before anyone had heard of COVID-19 and just after the devastating Napa earthquake. Back in that lifetime, we frequented wine country at least every two to three years and spent our days popping into sequential wineries off either the Silverado Trail or the […]
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