On requests, I planned an event of Japanese Fusion cooking class for my Japanese friends and done in early September. It was different class from our regular ones, and done in Japanese (language). Some Wanaka Japanese locals joined to others who came from other region. They all had great unique character that was enough to start session cheerfully.
Blue cheese & Shrimp Chawan-mushi (Steamed egg dish in cup) :
ブルーチーズとシュリンプの茶碗蒸し : ・・・ワインがすすみます。
Miso grilled Chicken :
鶏肉の味噌漬けグリル : ・・・ご飯がすすみます。
~served with Edamame&Ghemmai-gohan(flavored brown rice), and desert later~ ~枝豆と玄米の炊き込みご飯、デザートもご用意しました~
I got some good strong responses for the Blue cheese Chawan-mushi. Some of them didn't like Blue cheese usualy, but they enjoyed this dish! It's one of my best recipe and great matching to white wine !!
Place the fish in boiled Dashi broth, add slices of ginger. (As I found green parts of spring onion in fridge, I put them, too.)
Once it boiled again, cover with OTOSHI-BUTA and cook for 7~8min. with medium heat.
Tip-3 : OTOSHI-BUTA Covered by tin foil or baking paper which is adjusted the size of surface of the pan for circulative heat effect evenly for the fish.
I made KIMPILA as a side dish today. Usually this dish is made by carrot & burdock in Japan. But there are no burdocks here, then I use parsnip instead.
Cut and make thin shreds for both, and cook in oiled frying pan with a bit of chili, then season with sake, sugar, mirin, and soy sauce. Drop a little of sesame-oil over as a finishing touch. Serve them and sprinkle sesame seeds.
Little sisters and the parents came to visit us from Japan. Girls had been looking forward to meet Miffy (our pet sheep), but Miffy was not here. She was staying at Mr.B's farm as short of eating grass here.
Mr.B's farm is 20min. away from here by car, where it has an amazing view from his house up on a hill. A scarecrow was welcoming us at vegetable garden. Look at his necklace of aminal's skulls.
動物の頭蓋骨を首からぶらさげた・・・案山子のお出迎え
その向こうに・・・いたっ! Miffy there!
"Miffy~!!!" "Baaaaa~!!!!"
She replyed us. "Round shape, you are!!"
久しぶりの呼びかけにも、ちゃんと応えてくれましたよ。 冬の間に毛が伸びて、この通り、まんまる!!!
She enjoyed eating Nuggets with her flat-mate goat.
~September sessions of our cooking class~ We introduce a traditional Japanese custom of HANAMI (Flower viewing of cherry blossoms) as a lecture before cooking.
At a great good timing, I've got special items from Japan !
Preserved SAKURA (Cherry) blossoms in a jar & Sweet paste made from the blossoms
Both are for cooking and/or making sweets for seasonal celebrations. It's good to show people, let them taste and sharing HANAMI celebration in the classes.
For wine lovers, I often make a blue cheese chiffon cake which has rich texture of tasty NZ bluecheese. Here they were!! This couple loved NZ wine, and enjoyed it with each course of dinner. Before dessert, I served some pieces of the blue cheese cake for them. It was another good matching !!
Got a super busy couple as guests from Japan. They only had 3-nights holiday! Long way flight, long way drive, and just 1-night here, then going back to Japan. Ohhhh the time was so precious!! I was deeply impressed and glad to meet them.
Japanese cooking in New Zealand. Sometimes it's hard to make an appearance of proper Japanese dishes here in country side as limited purchase of the ingredients. After as a chef in my restaurant, I found a more focused passion with food and challenge to make own style influenced from Japanese tradition. Introducing my cooking life for family, friends, homestay guests, and cooking classes, I hope this blog gives you some pleasures. Cheers!