Tempura Brussels Sprouts

It’s Brussels sprouts season again!
Again, I’m quite content to eat Brussels sprouts steamed and lightly dressed in lemon juice (naked sprouts? oh my, the thought makes me blush…).
Tempura Brussels sprouts?
I’ve lived in Japan a whole bunch of years now, and yet this recipe idea is new to me.
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1. Blanch 20 trimmed Brussels sprouts in [...]

Horse Cookies

I live within easy walking distance of  huge internationally known equestrian park (in Japanese).
But I almost never go there by myself, because I want my big sister with me for support: she’s the brave one around horses.
My very busy sister tells me that horses are rather fond of cookies and muffins. If I bake cookies [...]

The PC and the OC: Cauliflower!

With great apologies to cauliflower lovers everywhere, I’ve never completely understood the excitement surrounding cauliflower.
Is there something mysterious about it? (Ooooh….look up cauliflower and aphrodisiacs!…really?!)
I went shopping this afternoon for sour cream and olives, but just like shopping at IKEA, I bought things not on my shopping list.
I now have in my shopping bag a [...]

Snowman Soup

You could be boring and just call this recipe regular old non-exciting hot chocolate milk.
But “hot chocolate milk” makes people merely smile from one nostril to the other.
To see a really really huge smile – that’s what we’re aiming for – tell your friend you’ve made him some Snowman Soup. Give him the mug and [...]

Persimmon and Hazelnut Salad

I’m perfectly content eating persimmons the same way I eat apples: just bite into them. But I suppose that’s not very polite when guests come for dinner.
Persimmons are back in season here. Making a salad with them seems a great way to keep me from mindlessly – but oh so happily – devouring a whole [...]

Spiderweb Eggs

Spiderweb eggs?
Who thinks of these specialty creations? Martha Stewart does.
Spiderweb eggs!
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1. Place 12 eggs in single layer in a large saucepan, and cover with 8 cups water and 2 cups frozen blueberries. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Cover; let stand 10 minutes.
2. Using a slotted spoon, remove eggs one at a time, and [...]

Orange Jack-o’-lanterns with Sorbet

I don’t understand why, but Christmas decorations are already appearing in the stores here. For those of you who forgot to stock up on Christmas stuff right after Christmas last year, run to buy your stuff *now* while it’s still relatively new and cheap.
For the rest of us planning to wait until December 23.5 (you [...]