Friday, April 25, 2008

odds & ends

In Japan, they have different types of strawberries. This one is called Amaou.

Not sure if this is what is called an acrostic, but the name comes from A: Akai (red)
Ma: Marui (round)
O: Ookii (big)
U: Umai (delicious)

These guys were definitely big, round and delicious! Perfect for dipping in dark chocolate. (Mom says that this is an acronym not an acrostic...thanks Mom!)

So, without butter, I used only olive oil for these banana nib muffins. As I baked the muffins, I realized I didn't put in any eggs or vanilla extract either! They came out a bit dense, but they were really moist, probably because of the bananas.

Some "old-fashioned" bacon that I found. Only 6 slices in a package...won't tell you the price. Of all the brands I've found, this one cooks up the crispiest! With a brand name like, Butz, I wonder if there is some kind of hidden message? (Maybe?)

A new brand of candied yuzu (citron). Saw a segment on television where they were making these. It takes about 6 months to make a batch. They soak the citron peels in sugar water for several days then, air dry them r-e-a-l-l-y s-l-o-w-l-y, then add more sugar.

These peels are so delicious! Makes your mouth pucker because they are so sour. They are brownish, because they don't add any coloring.

Well, they have finally started building. It looks like it will be 3 (or probably 4) new houses on the lot next door. All I know is that the scaffolding is as high as our building (3 stories)! If you notice the 2 cement slabs, each is for a house.

The newest macaron flavor at Starbucks is lemon. A bright yellow outside with a tart lemony gel filling. Delicious!

I had lunch with my host-mom the other day. I like having lunch with her, it gives us time to bond and she always tells me about the newest food trends. I wanted to share what she told me...egoma oil. Egoma is in the same family as shiso (perilla/beefsteak plant) and the leaves are found in Korean cuisine, maybe the oil too? She said that if you have high cholesterol, this oil will help bring it down and is better than olive oil. The only thing with this oil is that it is expensive and has a very short shelf life.

Hope you have a nice weekend, next week is Golden Week here.

15 comments:

  1. Those strawberries look delicious!

    j

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  2. Mmm, I love crispy bacon. Especially when it's cut thin...reminds me of salty chips. :)

    Have you tried the oil yet? I wonder if you can really taste the shiso type flavor?

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  3. I like the strawberries here Jasmine, seems like they are picked fresher than the stuff we get in Hawaii.

    I haven't tried the oil yet, Lori. Trying to use up my olive oil before I open up this one :)

    Take care.
    Kat

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  4. butz, indeed! maybe instead of it being the pork belly, it's the....nevermind :D have a good weekend, kat!

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  5. Ah Golden Week, when thousands and thousands of tourists descend on Okinawa! Roads packed with rental cars and drivers looking at maps while driving slow! It's usually a traffic mess here!

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  6. I was thinking more of my butz, Bourgogne... :)

    That, and summertime, Nate!

    Take care you two!
    Kat

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  7. Hi Kat, candied yuzu looks yummilicious!!! Do you know if they are sold outside of Japan / who is the manufacturer?

    Thanks and have a great weekend!

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  8. Those lemon peels look good. Your description makes my mouth water.

    What are your plans for Golden Week? Hope you have fun!

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  9. looks like you have been busy,tasting and shopping! The macaroon from starbucks looks delicious~was it as good as it looked?

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  10. I still cannot get over the fact that you can get macarons at Starbucks, how lucky!! ^_^

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  11. I'm not sure if they ship outside of Japan, Chien, it is made by a parking area in Kyushuu, but I bought them from a convenience store in Osaka.

    Thanks Monique, no plans of yet for GW.

    It was expensive, but delicious, Jann.

    I guess you need to make a trip to Japan soon, Kathy :)

    Take care everyone.
    Kat

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  12. I really wanted to make some candied yuzu peel, but couldn't find the fruits (well, I did find some but it was $30 a pound).

    I'll keep an eye out at the Japanese grocer for the candied peel, now that I know that it exists.

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  13. I hope you can find the candied version where you are Cybele!

    Take care.
    Kat

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  14. AHh I like the amaou acronym. It's very japanesey. :D

    and your starbucks sells macaron. I wish the ones here sells them! They've only got cookies, brownies and muffins = boring...

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  15. Very Japanesey indeed Ilingc. Guess you better come to Japan soon for some macarons :)

    Take care.
    Kat

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