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!

Sauteed Lotus Root, Kinpira-style

Lotus root (renkon) is one of my favorite vegetables. It is a root vegetable indigenous in Asia and has a crunchy texture with sweet-tangy flavors.

Enjoy the unique vegetable with this easy-to-make recipe!

Ankake: Tofu with Crab Sauce

Hinamatsuri: Doll Festival

Chirashizushi

Suimono

Wakatakeni

Herb Roasted Red Snapper

No-Bake Cheesecake

Hinaarare & Hishimochi

 March 3 is a day for girls called "hinamatsuri" in Japan. It is translated into girls' day or doll festival because a set of ornamental dolls is to be displayed in households with young girls.

I decorated my house with small dolls, hishimochi and hinaarare and ate sushi, wishing my daughter's happiness and healthy growth.

 

Salmon Miso Soup

Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup consisting of a stock called "dashi" and a seasoning called "miso" (fermented soybeans).

Today I added a variety of vegetables and a canned salmon to my miso soup. Canned salmon usually comes with the meat and bones and is loaded with vitamins, minerals, calcium and Omega 3 fatty acids.

This soup is a meal itself.

Gyudon: Beef Bowl

Gyudon is a Japanese dish consisting of a bowl of rice topped with beef and onions simmered in a mildly sweet sauce. Gyu means beef, and don is short for donburi, the Japanese word for "bowl". (Wikipedia)

This recipe is really easy to make and so satisfying.

Pickled Radish Florets

Parsley Tempura

This is a great way to consume a bunch of parsley sitting in fridge for quite a while.

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.

Soy-Marinated Duck Breasts

These soy-marinated duck breasts are a standard item in my Osechi (Japanese-style New Year foods).

Duck breasts would be available in some grocery stores, such as Whole Foods Market, Papa Joe's and Peacock, at frozen meat section.

Happy New Year 2012

Zouni

Osechi

Chikuzenni  & Kamo

Kagami-mochi

Wishing you a fruitful new year!