Yakibuta: Roasted Pork

Yakibuta (or Char Siu) is one of my favorite recipes to cook pork. Simply slice thin or cut into cubes and serve with sandwiches, salads, fried rice, ramen or simply on top of plain steamed rice.

It takes some time to marinate meat, but actual kitchen time is minimal.

Just make sure to cook plenty and keep leftovers in fridge, so you can use anytime you want!

Fried Calamari Balls

Balsamic Chicken

Serve this in casual occasions with lots of napkins!

Oven-Baked Arancini

I started to bake arancini instead of deep-frying because baked ones are a lot easier to make and to clean up.

Today I used lobster risotto, but any type of risotto would work.

Katsuo Tataki Carpaccio

Katsuo Tataki (or Katsuo no Tataki) is a lightly broiled bonito, traditionally broiled over an open fire of rice straw. The center is still raw like sashimi but smokey char flavor is added to it. Usually Tataki is cut into 1/2 inch thickness and served with soy-based dressings and condiments such as green onions, garlic, Shiso and ginger.

Katsuo Tataki is a specialty in Kochi prefecture, but would be available at Japanese grocery stores in either frozen food or sashimi sections.

Marinated Eggplants

I like to serve this with crusty bread or crackers. Great to add to salads as well.

Kids Favorite: Chicken Nuggets

A secret ingredient in my chicken nuggets is tofu! You won't taste it, but it simply makes chicken nuggets moist and tender.

I always pack leftovers in a Ziplock bag and keep frozen, so my daughter's school lunch is ready in a minute.

Pear Compote with Blue Cheese

It was my late afternoon snack for today.

Simply crumble some blue cheese on top of pear compote which I made the other day.

You can warm this up in the oven as well.

* A little bit of blue cheese goes a long way. You might want to add LESS than I did!

Hot Crab and Artichoke Dip

In frequent shopping at Whole Foods Market, I came across a recipe card: Hot Crab and Artichoke Dip. I made it for holiday dinner and it was a hit among my family.

I substituted Neufchâtel cheese with cream cheese and worcestershire sauce with soy sauce, which, I think, worked really good as well.

Easy to make and great for party appetizer.

For this recipe, please go to this link.

Candied Walnuts

Walnuts are good source of health benefiting nutrients such as minerals, antioxidants, vitamins and omega-3. These candied walnuts would be a  perfect snack for us all.

Marinated Oysters in Oil

These oysters have always been a crowd-pleaser in parties as an appetizer. It has to sit in fridge at least overnight before serving, so be sure to make in advance.

Great with wines and sake (Japanese rice wine, also known as Nihonshu).