I didn’t expect to be doing two Zenpop “unboxing” posts in a row. In fact, I expected to review the items in the previous box. I have a good excuse. No, really, I do. If you don’t think what I have to say is a sufficient reason, then you haven’t…
‘Crostata’ is Italian baked tart. The reason why I call this tart ‘Crostata’ is because a photo of ‘Hazelnut Crostata’ taken on a street in Florence had inspired me to create it. My shortcrust pastry is super-easy as always. Using ready-made Sweetened Chestnut Puree (Cream or Paste), this crostata can…
My stroll through the ZenPop box is one that I’m hoping will be far less leisurely so, with any luck, I’ll be posting one review a day until I wear myself out, get called in for grand jury duty, or put on too much weight from an abundance of appealing…
This is a very popular stir-fry dish in Japan. It’s a dish consisting of vegetables, pork, prawns, squid, etc. stir-fried and thickened with potato starch. The dish is called ‘Happō-sai’ in Japanese and that means ‘Eight Treasure Ingredients’ as the number eight is the lucky number in our culture. This…
I’m continuing my brisk jaunt through the box of snacks ZenPop sent me with two of the salted potato snacks. Besides being made of potato and containing salt, they really don’t have much in common, but it’s not like I’m matchmaking them or engaging in little mock wedding ceremonies where…
I grew up in subsidised public housing which was a very tiny house with a small back garden, where there was a fig tree. I enjoyed the fresh fig fruit from the tree and my mother used to make fig jam and preserves. This is why fig is always special…
I’m headed close to the finish line in my race to review all of my ZenPop box treats before I loose my free time to jury duty (which is coming up on May 2nd). I have to say that it’s been quite refreshing to get back in the groove of…
On doing my research for a recent visit to Kyoto, I was intrigued by a restaurant I came across called Misoguigawa that specialises in ‘French kaiseki’. As I am more than partial to both French food and traditional Japanese kaiseki cuisine, I thought it worth a try. The restaurant is…
This is everyone’s favourite side dish. I cook it especially when we have roast dinner. Cauliflower, such a delicious vegetable, is so tasty when mixed with creamy cheesy sauce. If you don’t have time, just pour the sauce over the cooked cauliflower and serve. This dish is good enough without…
The peach on the bottom candy reminds me of “Call Me By Your Name.” If you haven’t seen it, don’t ask. The defilement of fruit is just too disturbing to relive. Like a runner struggling after a long, hard run to reach the finish line, I am slowing down on…
Crista, located just off Aoyama Dori in Shibuya (really more like Aoyama/ Omotesando) is one of my go-to places in Tokyo for casual western-style dining. It occupies the same space as Beacon used to (I think Crista simply is an updated version of Beacon) and, before that, in the last…
This is a very popular stir-fry dish in Japan. It’s a dish consisting of vegetables, pork, prawns, squid, etc. stir-fried and thickened with potato starch. The dish is called ‘Happō-sai’ in Japanese and that means ‘Eight Treasure Ingredients’ as the number eight is the lucky number in our culture. This…
Amazake ( Pureed type)Amazake is a Japanese traditional sweet non-alcohol drink which is served as a snack or dessert. Usually popular in winter, but nowadays it’s also available in summer. Amazake is made from Sake Lees which is left over from making Japanese Sake (Pureed type). There are also another…
The latest in my continuing marathon of reviews of my ZenPop box is a “health” drink/snack from Orihiro. Orihiro specializes in food targeted toward women who are calorie-conscious and up on all the latest food fads that are supposed to keep you younger looking and in the pink. These are…
Cinq Sens is somewhat hidden in the back lanes of Roppongi, but well worth seeking out. It offers, quite simply, some of the best value dining in Tokyo. Pictured is the three course lunch which comes in at under 2,000 yen (I had the lamb and my dining partner, the…
Vegetable Soup is easy to make and warm us on cold days. My mother used to make Creamy Potato Soup for my sisters and me. I simply added Cauliflower to that soup. The texture is lighter than her Potato Soup and I like this soup with freshly cracked Black Pepper.…
They call it Ireland’s most vibrant food, drink, hospitality and retail event. I’ll be there on September 16th from 2-4pm to talk about all things related to Japanese cooking and to showcase my new cookbook #japanesefoodmadeeasy. Under one roof you’ll find some of the best products in the Irish Retail…
The next step down the path of reviewing food from my ZenPop box (the “Peach Festa“) is paved with things for children. Both of these dagashi (kid’s snacks) are made by a company that most people know best for their savory corn snack sticks. I have to admit that I…
