Friday, December 15, 2006

gratin and the opera

Tonight's dinner was gratin. Usually in Japan, this dish is made with a white sauce and seafood or chicken. I've never had it with tomato sauce, but since I had some pasta sauce in the freezer, I decided I should try to use it up.

The Japanese also have an original version of gratin called doria, this is a gratin made with rice instead of macaroni. I sauteed some shrimp and spinach in oil with some garlic, then put everything into a baking dish and topped it with parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. It baked in the oven for about 20 minutes. (My oven has a "gratin" button, so I just press it and it cooks the dish.) It was a great dish to warm up with.

While wandering in the convenience store, I found a new candy by Morinaga, called "Winter's opera". After checking out their website, I realized it came out last month in Eastern Japan and only came out this month in Western Japan! This candy is very decadent.

The box has a hologram type film on it which sparkles when light hits it.

When you open it up, you are introduced to 9 little opera candies. All with gold leaf flecks smiling at you.

The layers: the gold leaf flecks, a slightly bitter chocolate, a coffee flavored creamy chocolate and lastly the crunch of a chocolate and cookie bottom.

Enjoy the weekend!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

That chocolate is packed in a fancy looking case. Do you try all brands of chocolate whenever they are released?

K and S said...

Hi Sue,

It was quite fancy. I usually look for dark chocolates to try. I don't like white chocolates, but will try some milk chocolates.

Anonymous said...

After scorching hot weather last week, today is unbelievably cold - and that gratin looks like it'd be so comforting and warm in my stomach!

K and S said...

Ooh, that is weird. Isn't it summer there, Ellie? BTW, have the fires stopped? I hope so.

Gratin is a good way to warm up!

Take care.
Kat

Jann said...

I end up cooking recipes and substituting ingredients- sometimes I suprise myself!It looks as though your tomato sauce worked perfectly! Happy Cooking!

K and S said...

Yes Jann, this worked out well. I often substitute whatever I have in the refrig. Happy Cooking to you too!

Take care.
Kat

ilingc said...

Hi Kat,

Japanese confectionery companies always come up such interesting candies. I wish there was a store here that stock and sells them when they come out!

ps. That gratin looks very warm and hearty. :)

K and S said...

The gratin was great, Ilingc.
Too bad you don't have a store that stocks these treats. I think they could be addictive!

Take care.
Kat