Archive of Past Blog Entries

Amazing Twists on Traditional Tea, Shuhari Matcha Cafe

Amazing Twists on Traditional Tea, Shuhari Matcha Café ヴェニスおしゃれな守破離(Shuhari)抹茶カフェ Centuries of traditional Japanese tea craft mingle with modern treats at Shuhari Matcha Café. Japanese high-quality tea ceremony matcha is whisked and served. Just like the kind that is served by kimono-clad beauties in Kyoto. However, the café also adds creative twists on classic Japanese and American comfort foods. Coconut milk swirls in... Read Full Article97

It's A Wonderful Life: 5 Magic Keys from the Japanese Tea Ceremony...#BetterWithMissJones Matcha Frosted Lavender Cupcakes

Matcha mania is sweeping the US at the moment. Bon Appetit has recipes for everything from matcha donuts to matcha smoothies and spa day masks! Starbucks has “shaken, not stirred” 007 sexy iced green tea and sensuous matcha lattes. It makes me giggle to see this matcha storm brewing in America. In Japan, matcha mania is also alive and well. (And has been around for as long as I can remember.) Myriads of yummy cakes, ice creams... Read Full Article98

Dive into Pleasure, 5 Skinny Secrets from Japan, #Gluten-Free #Glutino

Glutino kindly provided the gluten-free products pictured in this post. All opinions are my own. Dive into Pleasure, 5 Skinny Secrets from Japan, #Gluten-Free #Glutino Ahhhh, the holidays! Bright lights, beautiful presents and big temptations entice this foodie. Growing up in Japan (babyhood to UCLA) allowed me to glean a few secrets to staying skinny. Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus. You can enjoy your Christmas cake and eat it too! Even... Read Full Article99

Good News from The Ninja Baker

Holidays bring families together, gifts around the Christmas tree and sweet carols. Or candle lighting of the Menorah with loved ones. In Japan, Christmas is typically a commercial holiday; so, Christmas cake appears. (Bestsellers tend to have tons of strawberries, whipped cream and cute chocolates.) Keeping with the good cheer of the season, I want to share some sweet news. 1. For you or the foodies in your life, click this link to a... Read Full Article100

Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies, #SundaySupper

“If you do not waste, you will never have lack.” (無駄なければ、不足がなし) The Japanese version of “waste not, want not.” Canned pumpkin and chocolate candies are always purchased in abundance during the holidays. (What’s the point of a stocking if Santa doesn’t deliver chocolates?) Start the violins…luscious chocolates are the typical “leftovers” from the holidays at this Ninja Baker's home.... Read Full Article101

A Mother's Love, Miracles and The Breakaway Bakery

A Mother's Love, Miracles & The Breakaway Bakery A mother’s love for her daughters miraculously saved her own life.  Exhausted and without energy, Janice Lavine continued to care for her children. Including trips to the doctor. When one daughter was given a list of allergies and foods to avoid, Janice kept her company. She joined in on the restricted regime.  Janice suddenly found the prescribed gluten-free, dairy free... Read Full Article102

Japanese Sugar Plum Fairy Cupcakes, #SundaySupper

Clap your hands if you believe in fairies! Sugar plum fairies from The Nutcracker!  Ballet in Japan is a big after-school activity. Many Japanese moms chauffeur or take trains with their ballerina princesses to class. So, The Nutcracker is a familiar figure on stage and in stores at Christmas time in Japan. Need a Nutcracker ballet refresher?  In a nutshell (tee hee): Toys around the Christmas tree come alive at midnight. Including... Read Full Article103

Miso Glazed Corn, #SundaySupper

Once Upon a Time in the faraway land of ancient Japan, families made their own miso.  Soybeans and sea salts were tossed in with rice. Barley and wheat were used to make miso, too. (Rice was pretty pricey for a few centuries.) Japanese koji (fermented cooked rice and soybeans) was key to the storage of miso during snowy winters in the olden days. (Way before refrigeration and supermarkets.) Each home had their unique take and flavor of... Read Full Article104

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