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Thursday, February 21, 2013

Lazy Mama's Udon Spam Veggie Soup (10 minute Recipe)

I ran out of noodles this day so I used rotini. 
You're up at the crack of dawn, likely woken up by your screaming kids who are charged up  and excited to get the day rolling! You've barely had time to brush your teeth & wash your face but the kids are moaning that they're hungry.

 I came up with this quick recipe on such a beautiful day like this a few months back.

I know this isn't the most healthiest of recipes (note spam) but I wanted to ensure that they had a helping of veggies, protein and carbs to energize their day. I also didn't want to spend too much time in front of the stove as I have a crazy toddler to watch who climbs, flushes and chews on everything in sight.

As always, please tell me how you make out with this recipe & your suggestions and feedback is very much appreciated.  A photo for me to share of your rendition to this recipe would also be fantastic!


Ingredients(for4):


Frozen udon noodles OR macaroni 1 block (udon) OR 1/2 cup (macaroni)
Spam 2 slices
Udon soup mix (powder) 1 pouch
Frozen mixed veggies 1/2 cup or roughly 2 handfuls
Water 4 cups
Onions (optional) 1/4 (small)



How to:

1. In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil

2. Add udon noodles (or macaroni) and boil according to the package instructions.

3. Slice the block of spam and set aside two pieces. Lay the remainder on a cookie sheet, cover with saran wrap and freeze for future use. (When they're frozen, transfer them to a ziploc bag and store in the freezer).





4.  Cut the two slices of spam into bite size cubes and grill on a frypan until they are lightly brown in color.  (I don't use any oil as the spam is oily enough).



5.  Add the mixed veggies and onions (optional) to the pot and once the water comes back to a boil, add the udon soup mix. 


You can purchase udon soup mix at most Asian Supermarkets and online.
T&T carries a smaller box of 8 but I purchased mine at Fujiya as they come
in a 20 pack box for cheaper.
6.  Stir well until the udon soup mix has dissolved.
7.  Lastly, throw in the grilled spam & serve.
8.  Add additional salt and pepper to your liking. I don't add any as the spam adds to the saltiness.

Helpful tips:

  • I add double the water than what the udon soup mix instructions require (package instructions are based on adult portions). I do so as I dont' want it to be too salty for the kids and the spam also already adds salt to the soup.
  • On those days when I have a bit more energy & time, I will add fresh vegetables that I find in my fridge.  Green onions, broccoli, mushrooms, clove of garlic even daikon goes well. I tried cabbage and it's fine but once it cools down it smells like fart!
  • You do not need to grill/brown the spam but I find that it brings out the flavor and adds richness to the soup. This extra step does make a difference!
  • I also add a helping of frozen edamame as my kids love it.
  • If you prefer to substitute the spam for a healthier option, you can add chicken  or sausage.  I would grill/heat them first before adding to the pot. Make sure that the chicken is fully cooked before adding to the soup. Bacon and ham go well with this soup too.
レシピ検索No.1 料理レシピ載せるなら クックパッド

Disclaimer:
I am not responsible for the actions, content, accuracy, opinions expressed, privacy policies, products or services or for any damages or losses, directly or indirectly, caused or alleged to have been caused as a result of your use or reliance on such information.

This Website/Blog includes links to other sites operated by third parties. These links are provided as a convenience to you and as an additional avenue of access to the information contained therein. I have not reviewed all of the information on other sites and are not responsible for the content of any other sites or any products or services that may be offered through other sites. The inclusion of these links in no way indicates their endorsement, support or approval of the contents of this site or the policies or positions.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Kabocha & Chicken in Tomato Cream Sauce (20 min recipe)

Kabocha (Japanese pumpkin) is a favorite amongst the Japanese as it is very rich in nutrients such as beta carotene, vitamin C, iron and potassium.


Although we try to incorporate it into our daily meals, we often struggle with keeping it exciting!

I found an interesting recipe that puts a spin on traditional steamed kabocha recipes.  I have yet to try this recipe out myself so I apologize as I do not have any photos.  I'm posting this recipe for my friend so I hope she will make it for us and share with us her photos! She is much more talented in cooking and photography (my food photos are a disaster)  so I look forward to hearing from her.

I would also love to hear your feedback and see photos of your rendition of this recipe.


Ingredients (for 2):
Boneless, skin-on chicken thighs 1 piece (600g)
Kabocha (seeds removed) 1/4 (400g)
Onion 1 small or 1/2 medium
Garlic 1 clove
Butter or EVO 1 teaspoon
Flour 2 tablespoons
* Diced tomatoes in a can 2 cans (14.5 oz each)
* Cooking Sake 50mL
* Water 1 cup
* Milk 1 cup
* Sugar 1 tablespoon
* Chicken stock powder 1 tablespoon
Salt & Pepper 1 pinch each
Cream or plain yogurt optional (for garnish)
Fresh or dried parsley optional (for garnish)


How to:

  1. Cut chicken thighs & kabocha into bite size pieces. *keep the skin on the kabocha.  
  2. Thinly slice garlic and onions and set aside.
  3. Heat butter or EVO in a non-stick frying pan and sauté the chicken thighs (skin side down) until they're lightly brown in color (does not have to be cooked through).
  4. Add onions, garlic and kabocha in with the chicken and lightly mix together.
  5. When the onions soften up and turns translucent in color, add the flour and stir together.
  6. Once the flour is mixed in well (can't see traces of white powder), add the ingredients in *asterisks *  and simmer on low heat (do not cover with lid).
  7. Simmer on low heat until the kabocha becomes tender (pierce with a fork or toothpick).
  8. You may notice the liquid evaporating while it simmers but do not add water.
  9. Take a taste and season with salt and pepper according to  your liking.
  10. You can lightly drizzle some cream or plain yoghurt to jazz it up & sprinkle some parsley.
Helpful tips:

For a healthier option, you can substitute the "skin-on" chicken thighs for skinless.
Be sure to brown the chicken thoroughly as the more you brown it, the rich in flavour it will be.

**As stated, I have not tried this recipe yet so please be mindful that the portion sizes might be different from our North American expectations. I find that Japanese dishes are usually smaller in size (I guess they eat less than we do).  


Special Mention/Credits:
This recipe was posted on cookpad.com by Ayu Kajiwara-san. You can find the original recipe along with photos here http://cookpad.com/recipe/1646801 .


Disclaimer:
The original content was taken from a Japanese website cookpad.com. The original recipe was posted by a user on the site. It is not my own. I am simply translating the recipe in English to share with my friends. I am not responsible for the content, outcome or anything else for that matter!  But if your family ends up lovin' it you can treat me to coffee hehe!
I am not responsible for the actions, content, accuracy, opinions expressed, privacy policies, products or services or for any damages or losses, directly or indirectly, caused or alleged to have been caused as a result of your use or reliance on such information.

This Website/Blog includes links to other sites operated by third parties. These links are provided as a convenience to you and as an additional avenue of access to the information contained therein. I have not reviewed all of the information on other sites and are not responsible for the content of any other sites or any products or services that may be offered through other sites. The inclusion of these links in no way indicates their endorsement, support or approval of the contents of this site or the policies or positions.

No Mess Onigiri (rice balls) for Tiny Hands

My kids are huge fans of onigiri (rice balls) and nori (seaweed).  Me...not so much! Why? Because it's a mess to clean up!  The rice crumbles everywhere and the aftermath is just a disaster.

Well I found a recipe on cookpad.com which was posted by NOAmama. It is a very creative way for serving up no-mess onigiri.  Even the littlest hands can help themselves without creating a disaster for mom to clean up!






Ingredients:

1 sheet of nori (seaweed) of your preference
1 scoop of cooked rice
*optional furikake (dried fish, seaweed mix flakes)

1 kitchen scissors

How to:





Spread "cooled down"rice on half side
of the nori & sprinkle rice flakes (optional).


Here's a pic of rice flakes.  You can
purchase them at most Asian Supermarkets. 
They're usually made of dried fish, shrimp & eggs so
I like to sprinkle some on for added nutrition.
You can also search on Amazon for "furikake".


Fold over the side that's not 
spread with rice and and lightly
squish down (kinda like a sandwich).


Take kitchen scissors and 
cut into bite size squares.
Voila!

A few points:

You may use hot rice but I prefer to use cooled down rice (not cold as in the fridge).  Serve immediately as the longer it sits, the nori will become soggy and chewy.


Thank you NOAmama-san for this disaster-free recipe!

You can view her actual recipe online at http://cookpad.com/recipe/1824593

Allergy alert: This particular furikake (rice flakes) does not contain any egg or milk products. Egg is a staple of most most furikake so please be sure to read the ingredients list carefully.
I bought this particular one at T&T in Metrotown (for you BC residents).

Disclaimer:
The original content was taken from a Japanese website cookpad.com. The original recipe was posted by user NOAmama. It is not my own. I am simply translating the recipe in English to share with my friends. I am not responsible for the content, outcome or anything else for that matter!  But if your kids end up lovin' it you can treat me to coffee hehe!
I am not responsible for the actions, content, accuracy, opinions expressed, privacy policies, products or services or for any damages or losses, directly or indirectly, caused or alleged to have been caused as a result of your use or reliance on such information.

This Website/Blog includes links to other sites operated by third parties. These links are provided as a convenience to you and as an additional avenue of access to the information contained therein. I have not reviewed all of the information on other sites and are not responsible for the content of any other sites or any products or services that may be offered through other sites. The inclusion of these links in no way indicates their endorsement, support or approval of the contents of this site or the policies or positions.





Monday, February 18, 2013

How I Got Started

Both of my kids have food allergies.  My daughter is allergic to peanuts, all tree nuts and most fish. My son is severely allergic to all milk products and eggs. Combined, it makes for quite the food challenge!

Although my children suffer from food allergies, I don't want them to fall victim to the allergens.  I want to show them that there are many food options & meals which they can enjoy and eat safely.  I also don't want my children to grow up becoming picky eaters and so I decided against becoming a short-order cook and am refraining from catering meals to each of them.  Therefore, my challenge to myself is to find recipes and cook dishes which the entire family can enjoy! 

So...easier said than done. Recipes with NO milk, eggs, nuts and fish...oh man!

Prior to my son and his food allergies, I cooked a mix of Western and Asian meals but nowadays I'm finding that my table is lined with Japanese food most nights.  Traditionally (prior to foreign influence), Japanese cuisine did not incorporate the use of dairy and so I've had much success in finding recipes that work for our family.

I was introduced to an amazing site called cookpad.com.  It is a Japanese site dedicated to  mostly Japanese recipes.  It's kinda like a Japanese version of allrecipes.com (but better IMO). You can contribute by posting your own recipes and you can also receive feedback along with a picture from users who have tried your recipes. It's a really neat site. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that I am on the site every day!

So as I was raving about the site to my friends, they had started to ask me for some recipes.  My friends being non-Japanese, I started translating some of my favorite recipes into English for them to try.  I hope you find enjoyment out of these recipes as well!

**Note: not all dishes posted on this blog are free of milk, dairy, eggs and fish. I am not a dietician or allergist. Please consult a professional. I cannot guarantee that the recipes posted are free of any and all allergens. I am simply translating recipes to share with friends. The original source content is not mine.