Japansk matlagning

New year in Japan (Nytt År i Japan)

2013-01-26T17:13:00.001+01:00

It is a bit late to say Happy New Year.
I was visiting Japan and had new years holiday in Japan.

We went to Mt.Takao in Tokyo for hiking and could enjoy a nice view of Mt. Fuji from the top of Mt. Takao.

Spring has already come !!

We went to a hill near my parents house. Then it was full of flower of field mustard.

From the top of hill, it is the Pacific Ocean.

I wish all of you a wonderful 2013.

Onsen (Hot springs)

2012-11-03T13:43:00.000+01:00

It is colder and colder in Sweden. When Swedish summer is over, I always miss Onsen (hot spring). In Japan, there are so many osnen spots and it is very common to go to Onsen over weekends or even one day trip. Every time I visit Japan, going to Onsen with my family and friends is highly prioritized. The picture above shows a view from outdoor Onsen. The hotel we stayed is located in front of Pacific ocean and it was wonderful moment. Onsen outside is called Rotenburo. I prefer Rotenburo to indoor onsen because I can enjoy fresh air.

If you go to snow are in winter, you can enjoy Rotenburo with snow. One thing you should be careful is that the floor is a bit slippery. But I believe Swedish people are good at walking on snow and icy streets. Chances are, you should try!

Mont Blanc (chestnut cream cake)

2012-10-13T17:06:00.000+02:00

Mont Blanc is one of my favorite cakes. I am not talking about a tall mountain in Alps.
Unfortunately, I have never seen my favorite cake in Sweden...

Mont Blanc is a chestnut cream cake which is very popular in Japan. Where it came from is not clear but it seems it originally came from France, but the first Mont Blanc cake sold in Japan was in 1933. So it was quite long time ago.

Mont Blanc is a soft layer of cake with a pillowy mound of chestnut cream, all topped with strands of sweet nutty chestnut puree. It’s creamy, sweet and earthy with a few different textures in each bite.

Inarizushi

2012-09-22T15:49:00.000+02:00

Inarizushi is one of popular sushi and often made at home in Japan. Because it is easy kind of sushi to make with food results.

Inarisushi is a clump of sushi rice in a fried tofu pocket. Raw fish is not used for Inarizushi, therefore it is common food for picnic as well.

The picture is Obento I made with my nephew when I visited Japan and we took out Obento for a picnic. To make it fun we decorated with Japanese and Swedish flags.

Obento includes Inarisushi, Edamame(soybeans), Kamaboko( made of pureed white fish), Rolled pork with vegetable and Kyoho (Japanese Grape). Kyoho is one of my favorite fruits, it is extremely sweet..

It is important how to decorate to make it beautiful even it is not easy though. For kids lunch box, mothers try to decorate Obento with animal or character goods to intrigues kids and motivate to eat.

Japansk kultur på Östasiatiska museet

2012-09-10T21:08:00.000+02:00

I went to Östaistiska Museet where Japanese cultural events were held on 9th of September.

This is a mini Obento which mean small lunch box with several dishes. Obento is very common in Japan and you can easily access to get at supermarkets and convenience stores. Previously I wrote about Ekiben which is also one of Obento and sold at only stations.

Above picture shows Kyudo, Japanese archery, which is one of traditional Japanese sports. As all Budo ( traditional Japanese sports) includes the idea of moral and spiritual development. I can not deny this interesting combination with the traditional Japanese sport and the typical Stockholm background.

I can say that this is getting new Japanese culture called cospre. Two girls wear in Samurai costume and they really look like Samurai. I enjoyed many young peoples cospre shows.

Ekiben (måltid låda)

2012-07-13T15:06:00.001+02:00

Ekiben is a specific type of meal box, sold on trains and train stations in Japan. Each station sells different types of Ekiben so you can enjoy local food. They include several dishes like above picture such as Sushi, Karaage, Boiled vegetable with soy source etc. Tasting Ekiben is one of enjoyable ways during domestic trip in Japan.
People normally eat Ekiben with tea on trains and enjoy view and talking with your friends or families.
I always enjoy the moment every time I visit Japan.
If you have a chance to travel to Japan, I strongly recommend to try Ekiben!

Italiensk mat

2012-06-10T19:55:00.000+02:00

I visited my Italian friend and tried to cook gnocchi. The first time I had gnocchi was in Rome long time ago. After that I have not had a chance to have it. Finally I did and it was very good. One is with tomato source with mozzarella, the other one is with gorgonzola and wholenuts.

My friend made my favorite Tiramisu!

Japanska efterrätter ( Japanese sweets)

2012-06-06T06:05:00.000+02:00

Sometimes I want Japanese sweets. But it is almost impossible to buy them here so I have to give up or make by myself.
The picture is Japanese sweets served when I stayed in a traditional Japanese hotel in Japan. Kaki sorbet (on the top ), Sesame pudding ( on the right) and Yokan ( on the left).
Yokan is a tradional Japanese sweet, which is basically made of azuki beans, kanten (agar agar), and sugar.
Unlike western style it is very common that several sweets of small pieces are served. I like that way so I can enjoy different taste before being tired of.

Tokyo Skytree

2012-06-03T10:19:00.000+02:00

As you may already know, Tokyo Skytree opened to the public on May 22,2012. This tower with height of 634.0 meters is the tallest tower in the world The picture is from their website. The name of Tokyo Skytree was decided by the public survey.

Japanska lunch med Tonkatsu, Ris bollen och potatis salad

2012-05-19T22:38:00.002+02:00

My friend came to my place with her family and I prepared Japanese food for lunch. We wanted to take the food out and have a small picnic but it was a little bit chilly unfortunately. So we had lunch inside instead.

My friend has been curious about rice balls ( Onigiri in Japanese) and upon her request I made Onigiri with Ume ( Japanese salt plums) furikake and Tonkatsu ( Deep-fried pork cutlet) and Japanese Potato salad.

Japansk matlagningskurs: Picknick Lunch box (Obentou)

2012-05-06T14:55:00.002+02:00

Today a teenage girl came to my Japanese cooking class. She is the youngest girl in my class. Surprisingly, she can speak Japanese pretty well. So we enjoyed talking in Japanese !

We cooked Obentou ( Japanese lunch box) with Chicken Karaage, Teriyaki hamburger, Japanese styled potato salad and Onigiri( rice ball).

We took out the Obento with us and enjoyed a small picnic near cherry blossom. It like Ohanami (Cherry blooms viewing ).

Uramakisushi

2012-04-29T19:11:00.000+02:00

Recently this Uramakisushi ( seaweed is inside ) is very popular especially outside Japan. Ura means back in Japanese. Uramakisushi is a little bit easier to make than ordinal makisushi which seaweed is outside. This time I made salmon and cucumber makisushi.

Kungsträdgården

2012-04-28T21:05:00.000+02:00

It was a beautiful weather today. I went to Kungsträdgården to see cherry blossom with my friends.
It was so breautiful. I always enjoy seeing cherry blossom because I can feel like being in Japan.

Cooking class- matlagningskurs

2012-04-22T20:24:00.000+02:00

There are 2 people coming to my Japanese cooking class. We cooked Tonkatsu , Teriyakichicken and Japanese curry rice. It was enjoyrable time! They never cooked Japanese food. Of course this was the first time for them to eat the Japanese food they cooked. After tasting, both of them said " I really like Japanese curry rice."

Udon- Japanska nudlar

2012-04-21T13:25:00.000+02:00

Udon is one of my favorite noodles and my family living in Japan sent my favorite Udon.
Udon are white and thick wheat noodles which are basically made by kneading wheat flour. Dried, pre-boiled, and fresh udon are available at supermarkets in Japan.
There are several Udon dishes in Japan. Udon is served either warm or cold. I prefer cold Udon during summer. Cold noodle is eaten by dipping into mentsuyu which is soy sauce flavored dashi soup. You can also add some toppings such as grated fresh ginger, chopped leek, sesame seeds, wasabi.

Cherry blossom in Japan - Sakura

2012-04-15T09:20:00.000+02:00

Sakura means cherry blossom in Japanese. Sakura is one of my favorite flowers and it is the most loved flower for Japanese.
My parents sent some pictures of cherry blossom last week. Now Cherry blosson i Tokyo is almost over....and making pink carpet on the ground.

Japansk frukost ( Japanese breakfast)

2012-04-08T20:00:00.000+02:00

I often have Japanese breakfast on weekends. Traditionally Japanese breakfast come with rice, miso-soup and some dishes.
My favorite is Natto which is fermented beans. Natto is very characteristic smell and taste but it is very tasty and healthy.

Makizushi

2012-03-31T20:07:00.000+02:00

I made Makizushi with salmon and carrot that is easy to get in Sweden.

Ingredients

Sushi rice
Seaweed
Salmon
Carrot

Cut a carrot and salmon to long thinly
Boil pieces of carrot a few minutes
Put a seaweed on a makisu ( bomboo sheet) and put sushi rice on a seaweed and carrot and salmon and wrap!

The first time is very difficult but it matter of practice.

Teriyaki chicken - Teriyaki kyckling

2011-05-02T17:00:00.001+02:00

Teriyaki chicken is also very popular dish in Japan and easy to cook.

Soba

2011-04-21T13:00:00.001+02:00

Soba is one of the Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour.
It is served either chilled with a dipping sauce, or in hot soy-based broth. Chilled soba (cold soba) is very popular during the summer and Soba in hot broth is popular during the winter.

Chilled soba is often served on a sieve-like bamboo tray called a Zaru like the picture above, sometimes garnished with bits of dried seaweed, with a dipping sauce known as soba tsuyu on the side. Wasabi and leeks are often added into the tsuyu.

Japanese-style curry - Japansk curry

2011-04-18T13:15:00.001+02:00

Have you heard of Japanese-style curry?

Curries are very popular dishes in Japan.

Japanese-styled curries are thicker than curries found in other cuisines and served with Japanese rice

Curries vary from hot to mild. They contain many kinds of spices and vegetables and fruit essences.

A wide variety of vegetables and meats or seafood are used to make Japanese curry.

They are balanced diet and healthy as well!

The easiest way to cook Japanese-styled curries is to use Japanese instant curry roux.

Cherry blossom vewing - Hanami

2011-04-12T11:20:00.000+02:00

Cherry blossom viewing - Hanami in Japanaese- is very popular in Japan. People have a small party under cherry blossom trees with their friends and families. They bring some foods and drinks or have BBQ during the day or night. At very popular spots for Hanami, you may find it difficult to have a space, especially Friday nights or weekends since some people reserve a spot before the party is held.

The blossom forecast is announced each year by the weather bureuau. So you can know the best spots and timing for enjoy Hanami.

from japan wikipedia

However, this year is a bit different since parties are being called off due to earthquake and tsunami occured March 11. There is a mode of self-restraint.

Cherry blossom - Sakura

2011-04-11T11:05:00.000+02:00

Sakura means cherry blossom in Japanese.
It is one of my most favorite flowers.

Cherry blossom is somehow special for Japanese, which is not only its beauty but also feels the excitement about the beginning of a new year.
Since Japanese school year starts in April and newly graduated poeple starts working in April.
The entrace ceremony of a shcool is often held at fully open cherry blossom season.
The high school I went to has an ally of cherry blossoms leading from the gate to the shool buildings. I remeber that the enterance ceremony day was at the peak of cherry blossoms. They were so beautiful. The cherry blossom welcomed new students this year as well as they did to me.

Shogayaki - Ingefära fläsk

2011-04-07T10:08:00.002+02:00

The first Japanese food is Syoga-yaki. Syoga means ginger, and yaki means fry. Syoga-yaki is simple but is very popular dish for lunch or dinner in Japan.

Ingredients for 2 serving

250g thinly sliced pork
140g onion
15cc grated fresh ginger
30cc soy sauce
15cc mirin (if not, honey is fine)
30cc sake (if not, white wine is fine)
15cc vegetable oil

1. Slice pork and onione very thinly.

2. Mix sliced pork, sliced onion, grated ginger, soy sauce, mirin
(or honey) and sake (or white wine) in a bowl.

3. Heat vegetable oil in a frypan or a wok pan.
When it is hot,add ingredients of 2

4. Lower heat and cover a lid. Stir them sometimes until pork is cooked.

5. After pork is cooked, remove the lid and heat until liquid goes away.

In Japan, Syogayaki is normally served with hot Japanese rice separatly, but placeing shoga-yaki on top of hot rice is also very good. It is called Shoga-yaki Donburi.(Donburi means a bowl)

Hey, Hajimemashite

2011-04-05T16:09:00.017+02:00

"Hajimemashite" betyder trävligt att träffas på japanska.

I would like to write about Japanese food and what is happening in Japan

I have been living in Stockholm for a few years.

Since I moved to Stockholm from Tokyo, I have been trying to cook Japanese food using ingredients that I can easily access to in Sweden.