Umami Mart

There is something about Japanese confectionary and pâtisseries that pushes sweets to a level of sophistication I haven’t found anywhere else. It’s not the purely Japanese examples either. They excel in transforming desserts from all over the world into something less sweet, less heavy and more palatable. And it’s no coincidence that sweets are HUGE […]

Cream anmitsu at Nakamuraya on the 9th floor of Tokyu department store (west wing) in Shibuya.

I had some left over persimmon after making this salad for Thanksgiving, so I sliced them into wedges and made these little appetizer sandwiches, which people seemed to really like! You could use any kind of cheese, really… but do make sure you choose Fuyu persimmons (the squat tomato looking ones that are eaten when crunchy and […]

Did you know that the U.S. lost all its chestnut trees back in early 1900s due to a disease brought over from China or Japan? Oops. Almost all of the chestnuts we have now come from Italy or China. But The American Chestnut Foundation has been working very hard to revive them in this country. […]

I don’t know about what’s going on in your city, but these days, NYC is filled with macaron shops. Sure some tastes better than others, but if you throw a stone, and it will hit a macaron shop or two. For the amount of effort you put in to make perfect macarons, I am slowly […]

I know fall is here when my CSA starts to brim with apples and squash. This savory tart is very comforting as the weather starts to cool. I used a pre-made pie crust, but you can certainly make your own. It works for breakfast, lunch or dinner and is great with an herb salad. INGREDIENTS […]

Brazil has a serious love for condensed milk in their desserts and brigadeiro is the #1 most commonly made of them all. It is the holy grail of condensed milk, butter, and cocoa powdered chocolate. They make for a seriously awesome ball of thick chocolate, covered in sprinkles. The chocolate sweet is named after the […]

The Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashana starts today which marks the beginning of the New Year on the Jewish calendar. To sweeten the New Year it is traditional to eat apples and honey and round foods which signify the annual cycle. To kick off the High Holidays, we have a couple of big meals with friends […]

I was so happy to have this recipe featured on a website I love, A Cup of Jo, as “The Best Peach Tart You’ll Ever Have”!. This peach tart (technically a galette) is simple, pretty and delicious! You’ll need: 1 (pre-made) crust, 2 to 3 peaches (no need to peel), 1 small tub ricotta, cinnamon, […]

A common dessert in Brazil called “Romeo and Juliet” comprised of goiabada (guava paste) and Minas cheese. The contrast of the sweet guava and the subtle and slightly savory Minas was a winning combination. Easily one of the best dessert finds during my trip; quintessentially Brazilian.