Okay, please forgive me but this isn’t an Asian dish, but an Arab dip. Living in Kuwait for over four years, I was addicted to this eggplant dip called mutabal. I’m not really sure what the correct spelling is, but that’s what it sounds like. I also really miss the chicken shwarma but I can’t …
The weather here in the Northwest has become cool and wet and I am sad to see the sun go. But, the fall vegetables bring a variety of change to the dinner table which is always enjoyable. The other day a very close childhood friend who lives in Oregon rang me up for an eggplant …
Watercress has that crunch and sharpness that is very distinctive that seems to divide people into those that really like the bite and those who find it too bitter. By adding a warm soupy dressing seems to compliment the flavors so I hope you give this a try if you are in the group …
Last week during qi gong class, Dr. Wang, an acupuncturist and herbalist, gave a discussion on eyes. Over the last five years or so, there has been a noticeable deterioration of my eyesight. This is probably due to age, as well as the more frequent use of staring at a monitor. Our lifestyles today have …
Pickles are essential to an Asian meal. Many of us often bring over a jar of homemade pickles to friends and family when we visit one another because we know it will be appreciated and consumed quickly. Recently, my Japanese girlfriends visited and we shared a few recipes with each other. We all enjoy cooking …
Umeboshi is a Japanese pickled plum which is salty and sour, most commonly used in the center of an onigiri, or rice ball. To learn how to make an onigiri, click on the link and watch my video! Traditionally, umeboshi were extremely salty and sour, but as our palettes have changed and we are more …
I love noodles! Hot, cold, with soup, fried, with a sauce, it doesn’t matter, noodles are just so wonderful and versatile! Noodles are an Asian staple, but if you go to any Asian grocery shop there is such a variety that it can be extremely confusing. Since the weather is getting warmer….well actually since I …
How often do you have soup? In a typical Asian meal, soup is a constant item that completes a meal. However, in the West, soup is most commonly enjoyed for lunch. If you disagree, please correct me! Soup not only warms you up but is very satisfying. The following story may entice you to enjoy …
Here is another great recipe for the versatile Chinese cabbage. This recipe was sent to me by my childhood friend Amy, who lives in Tokyo. I had to modify it a bit because the type of readily available ingredients differ from country to country. In Asia, thinly sliced meat is readily available. However, where I …
Chinese cabbage is also known as nappa cabbage or hakusai. Nappa in Japanese means a leafy vegetable and stems from the word happa that means leaf. Due to the mild flavor and a crunchy yet soft texture, the Chinese cabbage is extremely versatile and absorbs the flavors of any added sauce. It is also regularly …
In the two previous blogs we’ve covered the appetizers and main courses. This blog will have the remainder recipes for the salad, rice, pickles and dessert. Asian meals usually have rice, pickles and soup to round them off. The pickled vegetables in Japan and China, tend to be salty and sour while the Koreans enjoy …
On a hot day like today, it’s hard to build up an appetite. The textures of the soft tofu and crunchy vegetables and the salty soy sauce and rich sesame oil can make this simple salad a very satisfying meal. Tofu Salad Ingredients 1 block silken tofu, cut into cubes 1/4 red onion, minced 1 …
