This is my second write-up in a series about summer vegetables. Instead of enjoying them now, I am packing them for the upcoming seasons. I love shiso. You often find them sadly sitting underneath your sashimi at Japanese restaurants. These green herbs are similar to basil, but milder, and goes very well with fish, meat, […]
Author Archives: Moto Yamamoto
September 25, 2012
MOTOism: Farewell to Summer: Corn 2 Ways
Summer is over, but I like the beginning of the autumn. I can finally wear layers, and the chill in the morning and evening is comforting. And knitting season starts just about now! Although the food supply has lost seasonality in many ways and we can basically find almost any ingredient, any day of the […]
August 28, 2012
MOTOism: Gari (Pickled Ginger)
At Japanese restaurants, sushi is usually served alongside with gari (pickled ginger). Why? It’s a nice way to cleanse your palate so that you can enjoy each piece of fish, without mixing the flavors in your mouth. These pickled gingers are widely available at Asian grocery stores, but if you have a couple of hours […]
August 14, 2012
MOTOism: MOTOburger (Rice Buns)
If you have been to Japan, you’ve been to MOS burger, the best burger chain. Apparently it is coming to the U.S., which will be great.  Their burgers — from the regular MOS burger with bolognese sauce, to tonkatsu burger with cabbage, to real-deal teriyaki chicken to rice burgers — are made to order, so they […]
July 31, 2012
MOTOism: Miracle Koji Marinades
After I posted salt koji recipe a couple of weeks ago, I found out koji is literally a miracle condiments. This is the easiest thing to make, as long as you can find koji (usually at the Japanese grocery store), and the result is super-tacular. Marinate meat, even chicken breast, and it will never go dry. […]
July 24, 2012
MOTOism: NYC Umeboshi Project: Year Two
As some of you may remember, I made umeboshi (pickled plum) last year, while Kayoko & Co. were doing the same on the west coast. I used yellow plums instead of Japanese plums, while the west coast group used real Japanese plums, but pickled while they were still green and unripe. Both results were ok, […]
July 17, 2012
MOTOism: White Peach FroYo (Food Allergy Edition)
As I’ve written about in the past, I have developed an annoying food allergy. I’ve discovered that stone fruite are definitely not for me. Â Not that I need to carry an epi-pen, or that my face breaks out, or my body is covered with hives — but it’s just uncomfortable, since my throat scratches so […]
July 10, 2012
MOTOism: Blueberry Mochi
Hi, welcome to my new column, MOTOism. I’ll mostly be cooking here, as always, with the occasional restaurant rant, to keep everyone on their toes. It’s summer, it’s hot, and it’s time to make an easy dessert that doesn’t boil the kitchen. Over the weekend, I made batches of macarons, but I still haven’t figured […]
June 26, 2012
MOTO Restaurant Review: Le Bernardin: Disagreeing with 4 Stars
I recently became a permanent resident of this country, and to celebrate my newly acquired freedom, we went to Le Bernardin. Though I know a lot about food, I haven’t been to many top-notch restaurants because I end up bitching about its flaws. If you are paying $250 a person for a dining experience, don’t […]