It’s more a technique than anything, a nice combination of savory and sweet, and it’s a great spread. It isn’t a spicy recipe, though it can be if you wanted it to be. I opted for sweet peppers here to compliment the overall ingredient combination, as well as to please the family, as they don’t exactly appreciate the level of spiciness that I do. Still, the focus here is on the flavor, particularly the combination of savory and sweet, with plenty of fresh pear, dried figs, sweet peppers and mustard seeds....

Nattō is a traditional Japanese dish made from fermented soybeans. It is notoriously known for its distinctive, pungent aroma and a sticky, slimy texture, which might initially deter the uninitiated. However, its unique flavor profile and numerous health benefits have made it a staple in Japanese diets for centuries. How Natto is Made To make natto, soybeans are selected, cleaned, and soaked to soften. After steaming, they’re mixed with Bacillus subtilis, a fermenting bacterium, and left to incubate in a warm environment for up to 24 hours....

Navy Bean Soup recipe Whether you have leftover nearly naked holiday ham in your refrigerator at this moment or simply want to devour a satisfying, easy soup, this Navy Bean Soup Recipe is for you! It is the absolute best way to clean out the fridge and it’s economical too! This Navy Bean Soup is rich, slightly smoky with layers of creamy beans and potatoes. It is deeply satisfying and waiting for YOU!...

Nikko is renowned for its beautiful natural scenery and we recommend making a stop at the nearby Kegon Falls during your visit to the area. Why? Kegon Falls (華厳滝) is one of the three most beautiful waterfalls in Japan (日本三名瀑) and just a short 30 min drive away. On the drive to Kegon Falls, the scenery is lush green in the summer and bursting with autumn colors during the fall season....

Nishime Kombu (煮しめ昆布) is dried kelp, also known as kombu. It is softer, less fibrous, and cooks quicker than the regular kombu used for dashi. Kombu is an auspicious ingredient and is used in celebratory dishes, such as Osechi Ryori as the word “kombu” is similar to “yorokobu” (喜ぶ to be happy). What Is Nishime Kombu? Nishime kombu is edible kelp. Unlike the kelp for dashi broth, which needs to be cooked for long periods of time, nishime kombu is tender and eaten in simmered dishes....

Our family took a trip to Okinawa – the most southern islands of Japan last December. Since it was winter time, we didn’t get to enjoy the famed beautiful sandy beaches but there are so many activities to do on the island. From visiting the caves at Okinawa World to seeing the giant whale sharks at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, we got to experience the many personalities of Okinawa and of course, ate all different types of Okinawan food....

Baked French Toast Casserole When I actually make breakfast it is always for a special occasion. And because its a special occasion, it is totally acceptable to eat dessert for breakfast like Creme Brulee French Toast or Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes or Apple Pie Pancake Bowls. This Eggnog Baked French Toast Casserole is no exception – dessert for breakfast at its most delicious. And because it passes as breakfast, that means it is completely acceptable as brunch, lunch, dinner and again for dessert....

That’s it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this oxtail soup recipe. Let me know if you make it. I’d love to hear how it turned out for you, and if you decided to spice it up! There are many ways to make this dish around the world, with different spices and supporting vegetables, yet the results are always filled with tender meat that is ready to fulfill the hungriest of cravings....

The Japanese celebrate the New Year by feasting on Osechi Ryori (お節料理), traditional Japanese New Year food packed in lacquered boxes along with this special mochi soup called Ozoni (お雑煮). What is Ozoni? Ozoni is a special soup that we eat in the morning on New Year’s Day in Japan. It usually includes mochi (rice cake) and the preparation varies by household and region. There are numerous regional variations in Japan but we usually divide into two types – the Kanto (Tokyo area) style and the Kansai (Kyoto area) style....

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H. Chicken stew is an easy choice for simple weeknight cooking. This is true in American where we can season up some inexpensive cuts of chicken, toss it into a pot with vegetables and liquid, then braise it until it’s ready to enjoy....

WHAT IS PURI | POORI? Poori is a whole wheat, unleavened, crispy, yet soft & puffy, deep-fried Indian bread. This Indian poori is paired with so many classic dishes like poori bhaji (poori served with aloo sabzi, also known as aloo puri). Other popular combinations are chana poori, dal puri, halwa poori, or it is simply enjoyed with some shrikhand or aamras. My son loves this crispy Indian bread, and can easily gobble up a number of them....

These Potato Salad Pork Rolls are one of my favorites, probably close to my number one favorite dish Korokke. My mom used to put these in my bento and I still remember that feeling when I open the lunch box and see the pork rolls inside. When you make a lot of Japanese Potato Salad for a party or potluck, this is the most delicious way to use up the leftovers....

With Thanksgiving just days away, you probably have your menu set, but if not, or if you are planning on bringing Pumpkin Pie, then I strongly recommend you mix it up this year with either Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie or Pumpkin Praline Pie, After all, no Thanksgiving is complete without comforting, creamy pumpkin pie BUT no Thanksgiving is complete without nutty, brown sugar Pecan Pie. Every year, everyone has a favorite pie, and every year, multiple pies are made to appease everyone’s loyalties....

Have you gotten your holiday baking on yet?! I love the holiday season when the aroma of Snickerdoodle Bars, Caramel Popcorn, Gingerbread Brownies, and Pecan Cheesecake fill the air – and my belly. And now I am so excited to bring you TWO new holiday baking treats – because what’s better than one classic holiday flavor? Two of course! These soft and chewy Peppermint Red Velvet Brownies and Peppermint Eggnog Cookies are sure to be the hit of the season and they use the same ingredients for double the flavor and festive fun!...

If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! – Mike H. This pepper sauce works in the sweetness in the form of both honey and brown sugar. The resulting flavors are somewhat sweet, but not TOO sweet, and the sauce as a whole definitely leans more toward savory....

Sake, “rice wine,” or “nihonshu,” is ubiquitous in Japanese cuisine and culture. The history and culture of sake are closely intertwined with the Japanese civilization. The Japanese drink sake at festivals and ceremonial events throughout the year and at mealtimes every day. So, what is sake? Let’s examine the centuries-old brew, starting from the ingredients, the process of sake making, the different styles and varieties, and the people involved. This sake guide is the first of a four-part series delving into the world of sake....

Scoville Heat Units: 500 - 700 SHU About Santa Fe Grande Chilies The Santa Fe Grande pepper is also known as the yellow hot chili and the guero chili. The pods are approximately 5 inches long and ripen from greenish-yellow, to orange-yellow to red. The peppers start as a pale yellow color before maturing to a bright orange or to a fiery red about 75 days after transplanting. They are somewhat sweet to the taste and great for pickling....

Honestly, I’ve never made scallop bisque before this. Last July when we visited Anchorage, we made a small trip to Alyeska Resort. And amongst things to do there, Seven Glaciers Restaurant, a mountain-top luxury, fine dining restaurant had some rave reviews. So we decided to visit the place. The restaurant is set in a gorgeous location overlooking the glaciers. It is a nice little romantic spot. It is anything but romantic when you are with kids....

Boom! Done! Your shrimp and grits are ready to serve! It is SO GOOD, right? No joke, this is the best shrimp and grits recipe out there. It certainly is for me! At least I think so! There are so may different ways to make shrimp and grits. In the south, we find it on menus everywhere, and no two recipes are the same, usually because of the sauce or gravy....

I get giddy over a plate of sizzling, piping hot fajitas placed directly in front of me at a restaurant. The juicy shrimp, steak or chicken the homemade warm tortillas, the hearty beans and rice, the enlivening salsa and lime and the cooling sour cream and guacamole. Who is with me?! I love fajitas so much, I’ve already shared Chicken Fajitas, Steak Fajitas, Pork Fajitas, Crockpot Chicken Fajitas, Sheet Pan Fajita Salmon, One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta and even Chicken Fajita & Rice Soup – obsessed much?...