Latest Blog Posts

Latest Blog Posts

Crossroads Kitchen: Love and Art Meet On A Vegan Plate, #Giveaway

Crossroads Kitchen: Love and Art Meet On A Vegan Plate (*Scroll down for the Crossroads Kitchen Cookbook Giveaway.) ウエストホリウッドのクロスローズ・キッチン。 What stirred Johannes Vermeer to paint his Girl with a Pearl Earring masterpiece? Why did Billy Joel compose Uptown Girl? Love. The same reason Crossroads Kitchen’s Chef Tal Ronnen took the vegan path and is now the maestro of exquisite plant-based cuisine.   Wanting to impress a cute... Read More

Miso Salted Caramel Chocolate Brownies

Japanese matcha and miso are au courant. Suddenly, Bon Appétit and countless gourmet sites are touting the Japanese green tea and fermented soybeans. Growing up in Japan, matcha tea powder and miso soybean paste are staples in the kitchen of this Ninja Baker. Why fickle fame has spotlighted the Japanese staples now is a mystery. What is certain is the umami of miso and the subtle notes of matcha are now available to American audiences.... Read More

Japanese Green Tea Matcha Cream Topped Vegan Waffles, #SundaySupper

What tricks were used to cajole you into eating carrots as a child? As children, my sister and I traveled from Tokyo to Spain. Our superstar tennis mom was playing in a tournament. (As was Arthur Ashe who I was lucky enough to meet!) Mom needed to practice to win the big purse. So, my sister, Karen, took charge of meals and other caretaking duties. At one dinner, Karen promised me that if I ate all the carrots off my salad, my straight hair... Read More

Japanese Melon Ice Cream, #SundaySupper

“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” ~Winston Churchill (former English Prime Minister) If one believes the wisdom of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Japan is flawless! Every trip back to my hometown of Tokyo reveals revolutionary change. It’s an odd feeling to be gazing at futuristic architecture. Yet, sensing the familiarity of the surroundings in my bones. Has this ever happened to you... Read More

Apple Crisp, #SundaySupper

Celebrating Dads on Father’s Day is as American as Apple Pie…Or Apple Crisp. I figure my apple crisp is the 2016 version of the classic pie. Sugar seems to be a dirty word today. Especially in Southern California where I live. So, my apple crisp is created with organic Fuji apples, organic oats, Japanese yuzu citrus juice, a bit of brown sugar and spelt flour. Surprisingly, this Oreo-loving Ninja didn’t miss the white sugar.... Read More

California Dreaming About European Caffe Luxxe

California Dreaming About European Caffe Luxxe ヨーロッパの気品なカフェ・ラクス   ​California Sun, European-Style Coffee: Life is Good カリフォルニアの太陽のもとで味わう最高のコーヒー A touch of elegance, a taste of Europe is yours with a cup of coffee. Caffe Luxxe serves exquisite organic espressos and cappuccinos that will make you forget about coffee chain stores forever. Nestled between fashionable boutiques and high-end furniture stores, you’ll find the... Read More

Follow the Gluten-Free Yellow Cake to Emerald City Matcha Magic

A package arrives addressed to the Ninja Baker. Inside the box a sliver of silver gleams. Digging through the plastic peanuts, I discover Dorothy: A bundt pan so named by The Peoplehood of the Traveling Swirly Pan. A ruby journal (Toto) dutifully leans against Dorothy. And appropriately a spatula with the red shoes is revealed. I love this brainchild project of Pastry Chef Online, Jenni Fields. She’s recruited a community of bakers from... Read More

3 Japanese Ways to Dress Up an Idaho Russet Potato

The Idaho russet potato is a tried and true American classic. From the most momentous to mundane moments, the spuds faithfully deliver flavor. Idaho russets dutifully report to the kitchen and are whipped, baked and mashed into deliciousness. Do you have a potato recipe that is a family favorite? Please share! My husband’s mom was an excellent cook, baker and mother. (Think freshly baked pies every Friday.) David (my husband) was... Read More

Matcha Scones, It’s A Small World & More, #InMyKitchen

It’s A Small World. Gone are the days of the static-filled conversation over the phone. Friends, family in remote reaches of the world now connect clearly with Skype and FaceTime. It’s a Small World that provides great opportunity to expand perspectives. I’m on Skype at least twice a week peeking into the homes of my friends in Japan. While collecting recipes for scones and other scrumptious items on the Internet, I peek into... Read More

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