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This post is sponsored by American Family Insurance. All opinions are my own.
Dinner in Tokyo was mostly fish, miso soup and rice. I never tired of the simple fare in my 17 years growing up in Japan. I was always excited, however, when birthdays and anniversaries rolled around. Celebrations meant cake and sloppy joes or lasagne. Like American TV in the ‘70s (dubbed into Japanese), the dishes made a rare appearance. So, lasagne... Read Full Article313 |
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Potluck suppers are like the Miss America beauty pageant. As the evening progresses a few cooks emerge as popular choices. Their contributions are devoured with nods and smiles.
I’m attending my first tailgating potluck party (a virtual one!) at Twitter for #SundaySupper. (Scroll down for details.) As I made my Japanese go (chess) game inspired rice dish called gomoku gohan, I recalled the wise words of my Top Potluck Chef... Read Full Article314 |
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The Silk Road started with one Chinese Emperor Wudi’s dream. And one General Zhang Qian’s courage to carry out the vision. They committed themselves to build better understanding between the East and the West in 2 BC. Despite a journey fraught with mishaps and encounters with nomadic rebels like the Xiongnu - whose goals were less than lofty - the project captured the hearts of many and the Emperor’s dream endured.... Read Full Article315 |
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Lines wind around the corner for Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Tokyo and Osaka; piggy banks are emptied to buy American jeans, and McDonald’s are a happy go-to meal. American peanut butter is another story. Most Japanese are aloof to the concept of a PBJ sandwich. So, Skippy is available only in foreign specialty stores at special luxury item prices. Japanese supermarkets do carry a strain of peanut butter but it lacks the rich,... Read Full Article316 |
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Do maple syrup, pecans and butter bring forth any fond memories for you? My mind flies to Sunday mornings and stacks of pancakes. Maple syrup, toasted pecans and butter murmur comfort and sunny chitter-chatter around the breakfast table.
Pancakes with Maple Syrup (Photo Credit)
The nostalgic ingredients are also the stars of this month’s Cake Slice Baker’s group challenge. Maple Pecan Chiffon Cake with Brown Butter... Read Full Article317 |
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The year was 1975. Heaven’s winds had blown away the cherry blossoms of March and April in Japan. Wispy lilac wisteria waved and fragrant full-petaled roses bloomed on light May breezes. To top off the excitement of spring, Queen Elizabeth was visiting Tokyo! In her Sunday best, the white-gloved royalty planted an oak sapling as a gift from Great Britain at (the former) Emperor Hirohito’s Akasaka Palace (built in the style of Louis... Read Full Article318 |
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Once upon a time, this blonde-haired Ninja Baking Goldilocks declared her love for American brownies. But in her heart of hearts, she knew something was missing. The bars lacked flavor. So, she searched high and low on her spice rack. Suddenly, she spotted three bottles of Asian spices. Carefully, she took down the bottles of Chinese Five Spice, Cardamom and Ginger. Each would need to be tested and tasted. So, in time for this week's... Read Full Article319 |
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Shall We Dance? The Japanese film with the famous Rodgers & Hammerstein song as its title track made me want to dance. Do you have a song that motivates you?
Shall We Dance? a Japanese movie (with English subtitles)
was a big box office hit at many US art houses in 1996.
An American rendition of the film starring Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon
was released in 2004.
Today’s #SundaySupper theme... Read Full Article320 |
