Raccoon Miso Soup!

07Mar09

At last, I’m making raccoon soup! Don’t worry: no raccoons were harmed in this production.

Filed under: Japanese Food, Soups   |  6 Comments
Tags: Japanese Recipes, konnyaku, Shirumono

Bright Orange Kabocha-Miso Soup

23Sep08

The Portuguese had vast worldwide connections opened trade with Japan. Among the many they introduced to Japan was this squash. The Japanese asked the Portuguese the name of this vegetable, and the Portuguese answered Kampuchea (Cambodia) where it was from. The Japanese heard “kabocha,” and so this mis-named vegetable found its way into the language and cuisine of Japan.

Filed under: Japanese Food, Soups, Vegetables   |  2 Comments
Tags: Japanese Cooking, Japanese Recipes, kabocha, miso, Shirumono

Japanese Oyster Chowder with Miso

14Sep08

This is a clam an oyster chowder with Japanese ingredients! Sweet white miso and soy milk combine to make this interesting soup. The store was fresh out of clams, except for the small flat tins of smoked clams. So I’ve substituted shucked oysters for the clams. A very good soup!!!

Filed under: Fish and Seafood, Japanese Food, Soups, Western Influenced food   |  8 Comments
Tags: miso, oysters, Shirumono

Baby Bamboo Shoots: Takenoko

20Apr08

It’s finally spring, and in Japan young bamboo shoots are included in meals as a symbol of the new season. Here in Michigan, I have not yet seen any fresh bamboo shoots in the Asian stores near home, but parboiled bamboo shoots, sealed in heavy plastic are available most of the time. The bamboo shoots I usually see are cone shaped, about 3″ in circumference and 4″ to 6″ long. They have a very elegant inside geometry that you would never guess if you have used only the canned ones available in most U.S. supermarkets. So what are these?

Filed under: Japanese Food, Soups   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: bamboo shoots, miso, Shirumono