Posts

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies Recipe Last week I unveiled my light, airy, angelic Red Velvet Angel Food Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Glaze for Valentine’s Day. Today, it’s time for its counterpart — rich, chewy, chocolaty, decadent Oreo Red Velvet Brownies. I don’t think its humanly possible to eat just one. So don’t feel bad about yourself if you try…its a losing battle. You might have noticed, I looooooove cream cheese and I looooooove Oreos in desserts — especially together like my Double Layer Pumpkin Oreo Cheesecake and Raspberry Chocolate Ganache Cheesecake with Oreo Crust....

Yokohama Chinatown (横浜中華街, Yokohama Chūkagai) is Japan’s largest Chinatown, located in my hometown Yokohama. Its main attraction is the vast array of tantalizing Chinese cuisine restaurants and food stalls. One of the most reputable restaurants is Kiyoken (崎陽軒), which has been serving Chinese food since the early 1900s. Their shumai (steamed pork dumplings) have been a popular and signature Yokohama souvenir for decades. What’s Japanese-Style Pork Shumai? Shumai (シュウマイ) in Japan typically contains ground pork and finely chopped onion, seasoned with a few Japanese condiments....

Quail eggs, or uzurano tamago (うずらの卵) in Japanese, are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. They’re one-third of the size of chicken eggs. You may have seen these tiny eggs on a restaurant appetizer, added to stir-fries, deep-fried, or used as garnish. The Japanese use it in cooking and pack the eggs in bento. What Are Quail Eggs Quail eggs come from medium-sized birds in Europe, North Africa, Asia, and the southern United States....

PULL APART BREAD RECIPE video Pull Apart Bread I just couldn’t stop eating this Cheesy Pesto Pull Apart Bread. But the second I mustered the will power to pull away from inhaling it into oblivion, I called my mom and told her she had to make this pull apart bread for her next holiday party or dinner because: It’s is crazy delicious. It can be made ahead of time so all you do is pop the prepared bread in the oven when its “go” time....

Sesame Oil (胡麻油・ごま油) is made from sesame seeds that have been crushed to produce its rich aroma. The oil—available in both untoasted and toasted—has been used for centuries in different cultures. It is a primary flavor element in East Asian cuisines like Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cooking. What Is Sesame Oil Sesame oil can be made from raw or toasted sesame seeds. The color can range from pale yellow to golden brown....

I’m always looking for nutritious, balanced, and tasty meals that I can get on the table quickly on a weeknight. One dish that fits the bill is Simmered Ganmodoki (がんもどきの含め煮), or Japanese deep-fried tofu patties gently cooked in a simple yet savory broth. As working parents with schedule-packed teenagers, we rely on meal-prep and freezer-friendly ingredients. Ganmodoki are readily available in Japanese markets; they are also easy to make from scratch and freeze for future meals like this!...

I’m finally joining the slow cooker bandwagon! Many friends in the US have a slow cooker in their kitchen and they’ve been telling me to get one. However slow cookers are not common in Japan and I did not grow up using them. Maybe it’s because most kitchens are quite small and there is no space for another small appliance. I received my slow cooker a few months ago and I’ve been testing out Japanese recipes with it and it’s been fun, and amazingly easy!...

This Spicy Whole Roasted Cauliflower is my tribute to that philosophy. It is actually also similar to something my mother makes, a beautiful large oven roasted vegetable platter with this beautiful cauliflower at its centre. While it is similar in looks I cannot say for sure that it is similar in taste because I cant recall ever eating it – cauliflower used to not be my thing. However over time that has changed and in no small part because of my love for Aalu Gobi (spiced potato & cauliflower)....

It comes from the Bhojpuri cuisine I am so thrilled to have discovered this recipe from Chhattisgarh (a state in the center-east of India)! Steamed Bafauri is an easy to make vegan snack recipe from the Bhojpuri cuisine. They make this during festivals in Chhattisgarh. I stumbled upon this recipe while exploring through different Indian and International cuisines. Thanks to this quest of mine, I have come across many such amazing recipes that may be long forgotten today or are only made in some households and no one else has ever heard or got to taste it....

But did you know that there is more than one kind of paprika? That is right- there are various kinds of paprika that you can use for many purposes. Some go all out on the spiciness factor, some add a hint of smokiness, while others go the opposite direction altogether. That is where sweet paprika comes from. The great thing about this is that it allows you to garner that peppery flavor in ample amounts without letting the spice overpower the rest of the flavors of the dish....

If I HAD to choose only a single fish to eat for the rest of my life, I think it would be salmon. I love a LOT of fish, but salmon is the ideal package when it comes to flavor, texture, healthy oil content and overall versatility. I can cook salmon so many different ways and into many different types of meals. Seriously. See my Salmon Recipes. YUM. Sometimes, though, you want to keep it simple and serve it fillet style, like this recipe, which preps the salmon with basic seasonings, then finishes it off with sweet and mildy spicy Szechuan sauce....

Do you trust your mothers recipes? While the overwhelming majority of my Pakistani recipes are inspired by my mamas, I have limited confidence in her written recipes because that secret andaza factor is strong. This one surprised me. It wowed me. So much so I made it twice in one week much to the excitement of my little who loves it just as much as I do. Recipe Origin: Tala Hua Gosht Tala Hua Gosht literally translated means fried meat....

Here are the cutest and daintiest sushi you can easily make at home – Temari Sushi or Temarizushi (手まり寿司). Adorned with a variety of colorful toppings, these sushi balls are often served during happy occasions like Hinamatsuri (Girl’s Day) in Japan. What is Temari Sushi? Temari (手毬), which means “handball” in English, is a traditional Japanese embroidered ball, which people used to play with. These days, Temari balls are treated more as decorative ornaments in the house rather than a children’s toy....

Pin this recipe to save for later Watch: How to make Kalua Pork WHAT IS KALUA PORK? When vacationing in Maui this summer, we had the privilege of sinking our teeth into rich, earthy, juicy shredded Kalua Pork permeated with smokiness, and I was amazed at how unbelievably delicious the simple pork was – and how I couldn’t stop eating it! So, what exactly is this famous Hawaiian pork? Authentic Kalua Pig (Pork) is salt-rubbed smoked whole pig, a popular Hawaiian dish and the centerpiece of nearly every Hawaiian luau....

When it comes to blazing heat that scorches quickly and precisely, the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T will surely deliver. It is one of the hottest chili peppers in the world. The Butch T is a strain of the flaming Trinidad Scorpion pepper with roots in the United States, Australia and Trinidad, and was listed at the hottest pepper in the world briefly in 2011. It was eventually surpassed in heat by the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion and then again by the Carolina Reaper, which is currently the hottest chili pepper in the world officially according to the Guinness World Records....

Have you heard of Japanese Dipping Ramen Noodles? Known as tsukemen (つけ麺), it is one of the most beloved styles of ramen in Japan, especially during the summer months. But, it’s also delightful in transitional seasons like spring and fall, when we have days with warm sun and breezy wind. The dish involves serving cold noodles alongside a bowl of hot soup. You would dip the noodles into the soup and enjoy the toppings served atop or on the side of the noodles....

Hakone, as a designated Japanese National Geopark, is well-known for its year-round scenery and hot springs. Nestled within mountains in the west of the Kanagawa Prefecture, it is removed from the big city environments of Tokyo and Osaka. The breathtaking Lake Ashinoko is just a quick bus ride away with a stunning view of Mt. Fuji. In addition to natural wonders, there are renowned museums such as the Hakone Open Air Museum and the Venetian Glass Museum, both of which make use of the surrounding mountainous beauty to display their pieces....

This vegan mushroom spinach pasta salad is healthy, light, and super flavorful. I love that it comes together very quickly and can be enjoyed as a meal any time of the day. Full of fresh veggies and simple to make, this is one of my go-to easy vegan pasta salad recipes, especially for potlucks and gatherings. This recipe requires minimal chopping and is a one-pot dish. Whenever I make this pasta recipe, I always add edamame, spinach, and mushrooms....

One of my recent challenges has been creating more vegetarian and vegan recipes that are family-approved. They’re a tough crowd when it comes to judging my cooking, but this Vegetarian Udon absolutely won their hearts. It’s light and delicate, yet so flavorful and comforting—we never get tired of it. The best part? You can easily customize it with whatever you have on hand. Let me show you how I’ve been making this noodle soup!...

Throughout the years, many JOC readers have shared their Japan travel experiences with us. A long-time reader Diana hiked the Nakasendo for 7 days from the west to the east. Since we wouldn’t be able to do it ourselves anytime soon, she has kindly offered to share her experience with JOC readers. Here’s her story below. Nakasendo – From Kyoto to Tokyo If you’re taking the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, why not take the Edo period mode of transportation— your two legs—on the return trip?...