February 4, 2013
It is a bit unnerving that the word “oil” is a part of the name of this cake, but don’t let it fool you, it’s delicious. Besides, there’s oil in any cake, right? And since it’s not super sweet, this makes a great breakfast pastry, similar to a banana or zucchini bread. The addition of […]
January 28, 2013
Over the weekend, we celebrated a little Jewish holiday called Tu Bishvat. It’s often called the “new year of the trees†and is sort of like Jewish Earth Day. Traditionally people eat 15 kinds of fruits and nuts and drink four glasses of wine… then you go outside and plant a tree (who doesn’t love that?!)!  For […]
January 22, 2013
Oops, I did it again. Some of you may remember my report from last year on my first class flight on American Airlines, and the experience was surely memorable and comfortable. First class has bigger and longer seat, and you can stretch out like you are in your own bed. Food was somewhat ok, but […]
January 21, 2013
For a year in college I studied art in Italy’s culinary capital, Bologna. I lived with four Italian girls who made endless variations of pasta and always had homemade chili oil on hand. It’s basically just olive oil and red pepper flakes — you can add whole dried peppers to the bottle if you have […]
January 17, 2013
Last week, I shared a bowl of nishin soba with you, and I asked you to not to throw out the egg and sperm sacs. I have two recipes that will have you wondering why people would ever throw them out in the first place. Personally, I look forward to the herring shirako and kazunoko […]
January 14, 2013
There were some brussels sprouts scattered in my CSA box this week and it inspired me to come home and make an oldie but goodie: roasted brussels sprouts with golden raisins and turkey kielbasa. Swap out the kielbasa for tofu sausage or onions if you’d like a veggie version of this dish. You can just as […]
January 10, 2013
A gleaming school of herring greeted me upon my arrival on U.S. shores yesterday. After landing from Tokyo, my first errand after dropping off my bags at home was a visit to my local fish monger (Monterey Fish Market). Winter is a cornucopia of goodies for seafood. Crabs, oysters, salmon roe and herring are just […]
January 9, 2013
Back in December, on the eve of our 10-day break, I threw a fun okonomiyaki bounenkai at my place to celebrate the end of the year. Remember when I deemed 2012 as the Year of the Okonomiyaki? Well, it seemed only fitting to end it this way. And when Jay and Rie suggested they bring the goods for […]
January 7, 2013
It’s so cold in the woods these days — cozy up with a warm cup of Chai-Nog! Just mix one part chai tea (loose leaf or from a tea bag) with one part egg nog, then sprinkle with nutmeg. Spike it with a bit of whiskey or rum for a nightcap! This will surely warm […]
January 2, 2013
There is nothing like zosui (rice porridge) to soothe a year of overeating + drinking. Recipe here.