Japanese cooking class

My friend Alice who is now working in Japan used to teach Japanese cooking at a Japanese Language center down town. When she was seconded to Japan, she asked if I could help to take over the 'sinseh' (teacher) role. I was reluctant at first because of my weekend commitments but relented for the sake of helping a friend.

The Language center, JLSM offer several levels of Japanese language proficiency courses, Akido, Chirimen, Odori, Origami and other festival activities and fun.

Last Sunday, I taught Cha Soba and Gyoza. I was told that the JLSM committee members were holding their meeting at noon and was asked to help to cook extra for their lunch. Honestly, it is quite a task to make 'extra' gyoza in the short period we had but somehow all things went well and not only did the lesson finish, we managed to cook enough for lunch for another 10 people as well!

Below is the "Cold Cha Soba"


You can see the condiments laid in front of the metal tray of Cha Soba
(L-R) Sesame seeds, Spring onions, Quail eggs and a tube of Wasabi.



There were two pots of "Cold dipping sauce"



A pot of boiled Gyoza (the fried ones had long gone into the student's stomachs and take away boxes)


A pot of Miso soup.

Donburi

Left over minced pork, some eggs and French beans made a delicious donburi.

Snack Bento

This was a snack bento, prepared in a jiffy. In it is a "kai tan kow" (steam egg cake - a la Chinese style), some grapes and papaya cubes.

Onigiri on the go

Today, #2 travels down south with a college mate and several college staff. Apparently there are scholarship interviews taking place in two states and assistance is required.

#2 still struggles with her braces and asked that I make some Onigiri for her to take along just in case.

The large triangle ones are filled with Salmon and Avocado.
The barrels are mixed with furikake - a variety of beef and chicken.


The top box was packed with a croissant filled with Avocado, Mayo and Salmon.


The croissant cut into three pieces and packed in cling wrap.


A close up of the Onigiri.

Bento 302

I packed this box from left overs, one of those random days when a quick lunch bento was necessary.

This bento was mine and I had rice, some left over minced pork, vegetables and bits of waxed meat.

I really enjoyed it.

Korean Mandu aka Gyoza

Over the last week, I learnt how to make mandu. It's Korean dumplings.

Ingredients required:
Glass noodles
Bean curd
Taugeh (bean sprouts)
Onions
Garlic chives
Green onions
Mushrooms




Mix the above with pork or beef or both. Add an egg if necessary.



Wrap in ready made wrappers or home made ones.


Boil in a pot of soup stock comprised of Anchovies powder, garlic and onions.


Yum Yum!

Dinner Post

One of those random days when I cooked a really quick dinner in a great hurry. I had a large pot of water boiling the spaghetti.



And then I had another pot sauteing the onions and mushrooms before I added the cream and Swiss meatballs from IKEA. I peppered the cream sauce and added salt and chopped basil for more flavor.


I also made Chirashi Sushi in a separate casserole from leftovers.


Yummilicious!

Bento 301

It'a been a lonnnggggg while since my last post on Bento. Below is a simple lunch for #3.

Clockwise: ABC soup, piping hot rice topped with some sakura denbu (for color) and a box of chicken karaage and lots of grapes. You'll notice there are no vegetables because #3 doesn't eat them!


The "TIGER" flask all ready to go.

Of Birthdays and family

Last week, #3 turned 11 years old. We had a small family celebration in the midst of a everybody's busy schedule. Dad-in-law was in town and brothers-in-law too. Lots of men. (and a Holy man)

Mum and I planned the menu. As usual, mum has the last say and she very quickly eradicated my list of choices. In the end we had a braised duck, prawns and petai sambal, Ginger wine and chicken, braised pork, vegetables, pickled carrots, cucumbers and chillies, braised tongue and a pork bones and arrowroot soup.

My collection of bone china casseroles.


Braised tongue. Had raving reviews for this dish.


Mum braised duck for the first time and it was simply delicious.
A great cook always becomes a greater cook!


Sambal petai and prawns. Yummilcious!!



Dishes served...


"Death by Chocolate" by Just Heavenly.
Happy Birthday baby!

Julie Andrews shares @ 69

So, an anonymous comment in my inbox tells me that this article I received and published here was a hoax (thank you).
Apparently snopes.com debunked it ages ago.

Nonetheless, I like this parody of "My favorite Things" because I'm beginning to be able to relate to it. *Bleah*

Thanks Em for sharing!


It wouldn't be funny if it weren't so true... Julie Andrews turned 69 and to commemorate her 69th birthday on October 1, actress/vocalist Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was "My Favourite Things" from the legendary movie "The Sound Of Music."

Here are the actual lyrics she used:

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favourite things.

Cadillac's and cataracts, and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favourite things..

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favourite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favourite things.

Back pains, confused brains, and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short, shrunken frames,
When we remember our favourite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores.

Steam Boat dinner

Last night was one of those rare evenings we could have a long dinner together and not rush off for some appointment or other. I made some fish cake (the longish looking ones), the other two fish balls and mushrooms came from Jusco.


There was fresh squids, prawns and fish in the menu.


Delicious home made pork balls mixed with chopped prawns, more mushrooms and straw mushrooms.




Simply dunk into a hot pot of delicious stock.

Grocery shopping

If you haven't heard from me or I've yet to respond to your e-mail, know that I'm rushing around a lot lately. There are lots of runs and errands to catch up on.

Today was most fruitful though. Thanks Alice and Celia for all the effort to enable me to stock up my Japanese pantry.

Sometimes thing aren't the way it should be or look the way they should look or even seem the way they are expected to BUT so what! Life is too short to snort or get all hot to rot! Hahaha! I'm happy all the same.

My giant bag of Tuna Katsuobushi.


Frozen Unagi, Ebiko, Natto, Tako and a box of Chuka Iidako.



All the different sauces and condiments, teas and Japanese noodles, seaweed and rice (not in picture) necessary for cooking more Japanese dishes.

Updates!

Long absences and infrequent posts spell trouble for my blog. It's been despairingly neglected.

We've had guests over for dinner a couple of evenings. Between that, I've had to get my darling husband to show me the way to the new JLSM center. I have no idea how to get to Jalan Ipoh and it took three trips before I could find the place. *grin*

My dear friend Alice who moved to Japan permanently was back for about ten days and was facilitating an Obento class and we had scheduled to meet then. I really enjoyed her class and the company. It was fun meeting other 'students' passionate about cooking Japanese food.

I forgot my camera and had to use my hand phone camera. Obviously not a good option! I tried turning the picture around and saved it but it kept coming out on my post this way! Hmmmm...

Japanese vinegared egg yolk with crab stick and spinach

Simmered fried sanma fish curry

Strawberry and red bean roll

There was a second session in the afternoon but we were against time because some students arrived late. We were rushing and I forgot to take pictures. *sad face* Overall, both the sessions were interesting and new skills and tips were adopted.
Thank you Alice for the wonderful fellowship over lunch.


Random:
Below was lunch after my husband bought a bunch of petai from Pangkor Island. Yummy!

Home made Pasta

We eat a lot of pasta at home. It's easy to finish 6 boxes of 500g of pasta in a month, sometimes more even. I've tried making pasta a couple of times but never left me wanting to do more.

I was reading an old magazine and came across a simple recipe.

600 g high gluten flour

5 medium eggs


Mix and knead.


Allow to rest for at least 25 minutes.



Roll flat and wide.

Roll them together and cut to the size required.


Nicely falls over the knife when lifted up.

Nice pile of Fettuccini.

Made some Lasagna sheets too.

Freshly cooked Fettuccine. Fresh pasta took less than 5 minutes to cook till al dante.


Can't wait to try the Lasagna sheets!

Nothing tastes better than fresh pasta!
I think Barilla just lost a loyal customer.