One of the most delicious summer foods is shaved ice with shaved ice shavings. In Japan this year, shaved ice coated with fresh cream and topped with fruit to resemble shortcake is very popular. Shaved ice stores offering shaved ice made with natural ice to make it fluffy have long lines of customers every day. This shaved ice machine is convenient for those who want to eat it at home. Since it is an automatic type, shaved ice can be made simply by pulling the lever on the right side toward you.
It’s time to enjoy Peaches! Peach fruits is mainly composed of carbohydrates. They are also high in the dietary fiber pectin, which helps to cleanse the intestines and relieve fatigue. If you eat it right away, store in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours before eating to preserve the sweetness.
The lightweight cup for Japanese rice is 1 cup (180 ml) and it is called “1 合(Ichi Gou)”. The key to cooking good rice is not to wash the rice too much. Soak the rice once in water, then discard it and stir it without water. A milky, starchy liquid will come out, which is then poured off. Repeat this two or three times until the water becomes slightly clear. Then cook the rice in a regular Japanese lightweight cup with 200 ml of water per cup.
Apples, in season from fall to winter, are a fruit rich in fructose and glucose. In addition, apple pectin, a type of dietary fiber, proliferates lactic acid bacteria. The basic method of storing apples is to wrap them in paper towels and store them at room temperature, but we will introduce a refrigerated method of storing apples that can be used for up to three months.
Measuring cups are useful for anything. Japanese measuring cups have a standard maximum capacity of 200 ml, so please keep this in mind when preparing Japanese dishes. In this video, I used a measuring cup to make mentsuyu (Japanese noodle soup). This soup is a bit thick, so please dilute it with water or hot water to your liking. It can be used as a sauce for noodle dishes such as udon, soba, and somen, as well as for simmered dishes, etc. It is very versatile, so please try making it!
Cucumbers are high in potassium, making them an ideal vegetable for detoxification, including improving swelling. It is also effective for rehydration as it is 90% water. They also contain alchorubinase, an enzyme that oxidizes vitamin C. It is recommended that vinegar be added to cucumbers or that they be heated.
There are ways to put it in a rice chest or put chili peppers in it, but what I settled on at home was to put it in a glass jar container and keep it refrigerated. You can enjoy the taste of minor grain rice for one month from the milling date in spring and summer, and for two months from the milling date in fall and winter.
Mortar and pestle is said to be “Suribachi” and “Surikogi” in Japanese. A characteristic of Japanese mortar and pestle is that it has ridges on the surface of the the mortar make it easy to crush ingredients to some extent without exerting much effort. And because they are made of ceramic, they are lightweight, and final product can be displayed on the dining table as they are.
Dried shrimps are a necessary dry food to add color to Japanese cuisine. It is often used as a topping for okonomiyaki and other dishes. Since they are originally dried, their shelf life is set for a long time, but once sealed, they quickly change in texture and taste. In addition, the unique aroma of dried foods may waft through the air, resulting in a strange odor. Freezing is a convenient way to preserve the flavor and aroma. Freezing dried foods may seem surprising, but it is a great way to preserve the flavor.
Do you like gyoza? I love gyoza, so I often make them at home. And I use this gyoza spatula when I do. Of course, you can use a spoon, but this tool is very time-saving because it allows you to quickly put the right amount of ingredients on the gyoza skin and spread it nice and thin. And of course, it can be used not only for dumplings, but also for spreading jam or butter on toast. For Gyoza & Gyoza Pastry recipe, please visit my food blog “YUCa’s Japanese Cooking”!
