Poffertjes & Bitterballen

Poffertjes are a traditional Dutch small pancake.  It looks like a bit Takoyaki, but this is more flat.  Eat with powder sugar.

Bitterballens are a savoury Dutch meat-based snack, typically containing a mixture of beef (minced or chopped), beef broth, flour and butter for thickening, salt and pepper.

In Holland, you can eat them at any cafe or restaurant.  I like to eat them with a beer sitting outside watching people goes by.

Takoyaki(Octopus Balls)

Takoyaki is originated in Osaka and you can even make Takoyaki at home if you can get a cast iron or an electric takoyaki pan.  I had never made Takoyaki before at home as my parents are from Tokyo as well as myself.  One day my daughter had a play date with her friend whose mother is from Osaka.  We had Takoyaki party and it was a big success.  Kids really enjoyed it so I learned from the mother how to make it.

It's simple and tasty.  Mix flour, egg, and dashi soup.  Pour batter into the pan and add octopus(cut small pieces), some spring onions, tenkasu(deep fried small balls).  When you eat it, put Tonkatsu sauce (Japanese worcestershire sauce) or Okonomi sauce and mayonnaise and blue seaweed(Aonori) on top.

Cup Cake

I don't bake often, but sometimes I really feel like baking more than cooking.
I baked this cup cakes for my kids and their friends.  My kids like the most simple one so I just baked with flour, egg, sugar and put the dry cherry on it.

Tonjiru(miso soup with pork and vegetable)

Tonjiru is a kind of miso soup with thin pork belly with vegetables such as daikon, carrots, negi, gobo shiitake, aburaage(fried tofu skin) and tofu.  This soup is very popular in Japan especially in north of Japan as it's very cold winter time.

Singapore is a tropical country though I miss sometimes having Tonjiru.  My oldest daughter who loves western food doesn't like miso soup, but she likes Tonjiru.  I guess that Tonjiru has more volume and flavour than normal miso soup.

Shokado Bento

Shokado Bento is a famous bento originated in Kyoto.  However, you can eat anywhere in Japan at a traditional Japanese restaurant.  This is what I had when I was in Japan last time.

Prawn with Yuzukosho

So here is the dish that I used Yuzukosho.  Clean and open prawns and paste a tiny bit Yuzukosho and garlic powder.  Sprinkle Katakuriko(potato starch, you can use corn starch for a replacement).  Put a table spoon of salad oil in the pan and cook both sides for a few minutes.  Squeeze lemon before you eat.  Yummy!

Yuzukosho

Yuzukosho is a type of Japanese seasoning. It is a paste made from green chili peppers and yuzu peel and salt.  It is famous in Kyushu.  My uncle is making his own Yuzukosho in Kyushu and he send me often and I love to use this spicy, but flavourful seasoning on my dishes.  You can also buy a bottle of Yuzukosho in a Japanese supermarket.

Kyuri to Wakame no Sunomono (Vinegard salad with Cucumber and Wakame)

New study have found that a compound in wakame known as fucoxanthin can help burn fatty tissue.  It is also used in topical beauty treatments.

One of my favorite Sushi restaurant in Singapore

I like to make sushi at home for my family or guests, but sometimes I feel like going out and eat good sushi.

This is one of my favorite sushi restaurant in Singapore. They have a really good quality of fish and rice.  They use Koshihikari rice from Niigata.  The price is reasonable especially for lunch time.  They will open another sushi restaurant in Novena in October. 

Tomi Sushi
9 Raffles Blvd
Parco Marina Bay #03-04
TEL: 6333-4633