Menu:
– Onigiri stick with Yukari, Black sesame seeds and Veggies
– Miso soup with broccoli, tofu and sweet potato
– Tamagoyaki filled with Hijiki seaweed salad
– Anpanman shape French fries
– Stir-fry spinach and sausage
– Steamed sweet potato and lemon
Dashi (だし) is the most important soup/broth to create the authentic Japanese palate. Umami-rich ingredients like kelp (Kombu), Bonito flakes, and dried sardines are all key ingredients of dashi. This time, I introduce the dashi with kelp and bonito flakes.
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The first collaboration class with Kokoro Cares was success!
I taught 6 dishes in 60 minutes ⏰
I usually make time to prepare many of the prep meals three times a week in bulk. This frees me up from having to think about the menu every day and allows me to have other free time.
The recipe is for two servings, but if doubled or tripled, it will provide 3-4 days of prep meals. If you plan the menu in advance, as I did in this class, you can use fewer ingredients, which results in saving money. Highly recommended!
There are still a few openings in the class, so if you are interested in this class, please message me directly or visit the linked homepage in the story in my profile. (Vegan, Halal etc. other options are available!)
If you are interested in joining this special class, please book your date from here!
4 spots (dates) are still available!
– March 28th, 10:00am (JST)
– April 11th, 10:00am (JST)
– April 18th, 10:00am (JST)
– April 25th, 10:00am (JST)
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Healthy Japanese Meals Class (March & April 2022)
The 3rd of March is the traditional and representative spring event day called “Hina Matsuri” in Japan.
Hina Matsuri (ひなまつり) is a special time to pray for the growth and happiness of Japanese girls. It is also called “Peach-Blossom Festival” because in olden times, people believed that peach blossoms had special powers to drive away evil spirits. According to the lunar calendar, peach blossoms were in full bloom around March 3. This is the reason that even today peach blossoms are always displayed together with Japanese dolls called Hina Ningyo (ひな人形).
There is a tradition if the baby is a girl, the parents of the mother give a traditional dolls called Hina-kazari (ひな飾り) to their daughter’s family. Hina-kazari is a traditional dolls of Emperor, Empress, their servants and accessories on the tiered stand.
In very ancient times, display stands used to consist of just two or three tiers but over the years they grew more elaborate and gorgeous. I had 7 tier Hina-kazari at my house and my younger brother always tried to climb up. His heroic story is still α hot topic every year among my family. His heroic story is still a hot topic every year.
This day, parents having daughter invite their families and friends to celebrate this event. They display Hina-kazari and serve guests traditional dishes. When I was a child, my family always celebrated the Hina Matsuri together. So, this event reminds me of my childhood every year.
Home Party Menu Ideas
If you are planning to celebrate this Japanese family event, here are the recipes that we prepare here in Japan and also I recommend for home party.
🌸 Main : Chirashizushi (Chirashi Sushi), Cup Chirashi Sushi
🌸 Soup : Hamaguri no osuimono (Cherrystone clam soup)
🌸 Side dish : Potato Salad / Chawanmushi
🌸 Dessert : Sakura Mochi / Hinaarare / Hishimochi
🌸 Drink : Amazake
Do you know this?
It is important to dismantle the display and put away the dolls as soon as the festival is over. The dolls’ faces are covered with special soft paper and each item is carefully wrapped and retuned to its designated box.
People have traditionally believed that if the dolls are kept out for too long after the festival, the daughter of the family will have a hard time getting married. I remember that my mother was rushing to clean up when the Hinamatsuri was over. I hope her annual effort worked!
Menu:
– Yaki (stir-fry) Udon [Recipe]
– Miso soup with tofu and Komatsuna
– Tofu Hamburg Steak (with Hijiki seaweed)
– Natto (fermented soybeans)
– Banana
Menu:
– Japanese rice
– Sumashijiru with wheat gluten and tofu.
– Grilled salmon
– Kimpira gobo
– Potato galette
– Sesame salad with spinach
– Tsukune chicken balls
– Takuan (Pickled daikon radish colored in yellow)
In this recipe video, I’ll introduce how to make Japanese Vegetable Curry. We will make homemade Japanese curry roux from scratch.
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