English Breakfast?
at 2006-08-22 13:52:51
Mackays Three Fruit Marmalade
I got some awesome presents from my good friends from England yesterday. Two huge boxes of English tea that I have never tasted before, and four jars of marmalade! Can you imagine how delighted I am?
To express my gratitude and also to fully enjoy the presents (both tea and marmalade together), this morning I made myself an English breakfast… or at least,
I Needed Something Refreshing for Lunch Today - Somen Noodles -
at 2006-08-22 13:52:51
Somen Noodles
Well, I was quite busy for the past couple of days, shooting photos at the dance festival and posting them to another blog of mine. To tell you the truth, on August 10th and 11th, which were the main festival days, I didn’t eat decent supper because I kept moving from one dance venue to another all afternoon and evening, then went straight to work at night. On those two days, my
Nectarine Cobbler
at 2006-08-22 13:52:51
Nectarines (※×%○■ #▽ Expensive)
Yes, baking peach cobbler – more precisely, nectarine cobbler – has become my summer ritual since I had a success last summer. Nectarines are not very popular here in Kochi, and the supermarkets I often visit seem to have them on shelf only for a few weeks in August. So this summer, I kept a close watch on the fruits section of the supermarkets, and managed to
Declining and Rare Japanese Geisha
at 2006-08-22 13:41:26
Have you seen the movie “Memoirs of Geisha” that starred the lovely Zhang Ziyi and martial arts expert Michelle Yeoh? If not, then most probably you are wondering about the meaning of the word “geisha”. Literally, geishas were traditional Japanese artist-entertainers in the 18th and 19th centuries. Although there are geishas that still exist today, their numbers are obviously decreasing.
Before aspiring geishas begin their training, they have to complete first their junior high school or even high school or college education. During the training, they have to be familiar with the traditional instruments like the shamisen, shakuhachi, drums, and traditional songs, tea ceremony, classical Japanese dance, literature, and poetry.
Unfortunately, geisha is now a rare sight outside Kyoto because the province is the place where the geisha tradition is strongest today. The two of the most prestigious and traditional geisha districts, Gion and Pontocho, a
Savory and Nutritious Miso Soup
at 2006-08-22 13:41:26
It was my Japanese friend who told me how to prepare a miso soup back in college. At first, I was looking on how he prepared the soup, but later on I found out that I can actually do it. According to him, miso which is manufactured from soybeans, grain, and a fermenting agent, is another Japanese contribution in the world. This savory and nutritious soy food is very rich in protein, something which is very critical in the Eastern part of Asia. It is the best base for sauces, soups, dressings, and toppings; and serves as medium for making pickles. Also, he told me that almost every place in Japan has its own miso variety, therefore there are lots of choices. Among the main choices include the two most prevalent and readily available red and white miso. The second variety with a deep dark red to an almost ebony brown color has a rich aroma and earthy taste. On the other hand, the white variety with a yellowish brown color as well as a lite in color has a sweet taste.
According
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