Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Good oil is always needed to make a delicious dishes.  This olive oil is one of my favorite.  I couldn't find it in Singapore before, but I finally found it where I could buy! 

This is really great olive oil.  You will realize when you use this oil for a dressing or bread.

Hanami Bento

Hanami means "Cherry Blossom(Sakura) Viewing" in Japanese. 
The cherry blossom is Japan's unofficial national flower. It has been celebrated for many centuries and holds a very prominent position in Japanese culture. Sakura which bloom for just a couple of days in spring. We celebrate that time of the year with hanami parties under the blooming trees.

When I was doing bento & catering business, I tied up with one of a main shopping mall which organized  "Hanami by the river".  I created "Hanami Bento" like this photo.

Myoga

Myoga is an herbaceous, perennial native to Japan.  It is edible flower buds and flavorful shoots and we use  as a garnish for soup, noodle etc.  Myoga have shown promise for potentially anti-carcinogenic as well.
My mom had a garden where had a lot of Myoga and she picked it up whenever she needed for some dishes when I was a child.  I think it was a really luxury time as Myoga is very expensive here in Singapore.

We also eat just cut smaller size and dip in Miso.  A chopped Myoga with a bit of soy sauce with a bowl of fresh white rice is also very delicious.

Sashimi

Sashimi must be very fresh and should consume on the same day you've got them.  I found very nice Otoro which is  the fattiest portion of the tuna, found on the very underside of Tuna fish. This cut is fatty almost to the point of falling apart and can literally melt in your mouth. Personally I like Chutoro which is the belly area of the tuna along the side of the fish between the akami and the otoro.  It's less fatty.  But this day, I had to entertain people so I got Otoro, Akami(which is the leaner meat from the sides of the fish. ), Scallops, Octopus, Kohada(Shad) and Mackerel.

Salt

There are so many kinds of salt.  I like a Himalayan Pink Sea Salt.  It has a very deep tasty full flavour.  I also like Bali Salt and French salt.  Believe me, it tastes much better if you use these kind of salts on your dishes.

Hiyayakko (cold tofu)

Hiyayakko is a popular Japanese dish made with chilled tofu with toppings.  There are 2 kinds of tofu used in Hiyayakko, silken and cotton. Silken tofu is much more smooth and it is the best for Hiyayakko.
People in Japan usually eat in the summer as it is a very cold dish.  As I am in Singapore, I make quite often, but the tofu must be very fresh so I only make when I have a chance to get really fresh handmade tofu at a Japanese super market.

The topping of this photo is chopped Zaasai (Chinese vegetable, but you can find bottled one in a supermarket), chopped spring onion and sesame oil and a drop of soy sauce.  This is great appetizer in a hot summer day!

Home made Cheese Cake

My family like sweets and I like to bake some sweets sometimes if I have time. 
I baked Cheese cake which my family really like.  This is easy to make.

Ingredients:

Ritz biscuits100g
Unsalted Butter 3 tsp (melted by microwave )
Cream 1 cup
2 Eggs
Cream Cheese 250g
Flour 3tsp
Sugar 1/2 cup
Lemon juice 1tsp

1. Break Ritz biscuits into small pieces and mix with Butter.
2. Put 2 on the bottom of round shape flame(21cm)
3. Mix other ingredients and pour on the Ritz.
4. Bake 180c for 50 minutes.