scanner

The other day, I need to make a pdf of some paperwork, only problem is that we don't have a scanner.

Well, guess what?! you can actually scan something at a certain convenience store...7-eleven.

The area we live in is very fortunate to have different convenience stores...Lawson, Family Mart, Circle K, Daily Yamazaki & 7-eleven.

Actually before I went straight to 7-eleven to do the scanning, I checked out the other convenience stores, just to be sure.

Yup, only 7-eleven has it. Most other stores won't even know what the heck you are talking about if you try to ask.

It is 30 yen a sheet, so it is pricey, but so worth it if you need to get it done and don't want to buy a scanner.

biscoff spread

Am finally jumping on the biscoff spread wagon.

I've seen so many people posting on biscoff spread that I finally picked up a jar when I was in Hawaii.

It is good, creamy with that "spicy" flavor that the cookies have.

But you know what is even better?

When you crumble some biscoff cookies on top. (There is actually a crunchy version of the spread, but none to be found here in Japan.)

I think it gives the flavor a little more "oomph" and a nice crunch.

sunset

Have been into sunsets lately.

Gives me a chance to thank "someone" at the end of the day.

I think the clouds and pollution in the air give the sunsets more "character".

Also enjoy when there is some reflection on the water or when the sky turns pinkish-orange or fiery red.

This one was taken from the train.

I often wonder if the other people on the train are checking out the sunsets too or are "too busy" trying to check things out on their cell phones.

Anyway, hope you are enjoying the sunsets where you are.

seafood memories

The other day Satoshi and I were talking about some of our past trips.

"Sencho no ie" literally means captain's house.

This pension near Lake Saroma in Hokkaido was a place we visited in 2002 (pre-blog), a place where Satoshi also visited in his university days.

The dinner was amazing.

3 tables full of crab, shrimp, fish...you name it, it was on the table, cooked and served in all sorts of ways (hot pot, raw, just to name a few)...this was all for the 2 of us.

I remember there were other families enjoying their seafood on many tables as well.

Even if I couldn't finish my half, Satoshi finished it for me.

Hope we can go back there again someday.

speculoos apple crumble

I love the internet...I got this idea from Dorie Greenspan, who got the idea from a bistro that she visited in Paris.

It made a lot of sense to me to use speculoos cookies because they have that "christmas-y" apple pie type of flavors.

Since I had a not-so crispy apple, I decided to try it, instead of throwing the apple out.

I sort of made up my own recipe...

Speculoos Apple Crumble : makes 2

oil
1/2 apple, sliced
2 teaspoons vanilla sugar
several grinds of cinnamon
2 packages of caramel biscuits a.k.a. speculoos a.k.a. biscoff, crushed
2 pats of butter

Use some oil to grease your ramekins.
After slicing your apples place into the ramekins.
Sprinkle a teaspoon of vanilla sugar on each
Grind cinnamon on each
Crush a package of caramel biscuits (1 package has 2 cookies) onto your apples. (I crushed them with my fingers, because I wanted it chunky) Use 2 cookies for 1 ramekin.
Cut the pat of butter into smaller pieces and place here and there in ramekin (use 1 pat for 1 ramekin)

Bake at 180F (350F) for 30 minutes.

NOTES: I'll admit my crumble was a bit dry, but the aroma from the oven was really nice and overall it was delicious especially with a cup of tea.

I definitely want to try this again, maybe adding some oatmeal and nuts to the topping.

foodie thursday in kyoto

Met up with Tamakikat yesterday. It had been awhile since we had seen each other, so we had a lot to chat about.

We headed to Com Ngon for lunch. We got there a little early, but they were kind enough to let us come in and look over their menu.

We both chose their Pho Ga set...880 yen and decided to share an order of their rice paper spring rolls...330 yen.

The warm broth really hit the spot, we were a little confused with the noodles in there though, a mixture of skinny and flat ones.

There was also some chopped pork with peanuts over rice. The pork was seasoned with shoyu and some other spices.

Also with this set was a salad that came with a shrimp cracker and some pickles.

Filling but really delicious.

After lunch we walked around a bit and then went to check out the Salon de The Au Grenier d'Or.

I've checked out the pastry shop with friends before, and they changed that shop to mainly a "take-out" place.

Kitty-corner from this pastry shop is the tea salon.

They renovated an old home and put tables and chairs in. There is also a "fukinuke" (inner garden) which you can gaze at while having tea.

I chose their fig tart.

This was interesting because there was also leaves of shiso (perilla).

When you ate the crust together with the fig and shiso it was a really refreshing taste.

Different but delicious.

Tamakikat also sent me home with some sweets from Demachi Futaba, they are known for their mame mochi, a soft mochi filled with sweet bean paste and studded with black beans. The lines to purchase this can sometimes take hours.

She gave me some mame mochi and kabuki dango. It was my first time to try kabuki dango, there are 3 flavors-- nikki (cinnamon), plain & matcha (green tea) on one stick.

Both were great with some green tea.

It was nice to catch up with Tamakikat and I hope she had a nice time too.

It's Friday here, hope you have a great weekend.

Com Ngon
304 Ichirensha-cho
Nakagyoku, Kyoto
Phone: 075.223.3337
Open 11:30-23:00

Salon de The Au Grenier d'Or (UPDATE:2018 no longer in business)
519-1 Kikuya-cho
Nakagyoku, Kyoto
Phone: 075.468.8625
Closed Wednesdays and one Monday (call if you plan to go on a Monday)
Hours: 11:00-19:00

on a walk (or two)

Have been getting out for walks, especially on sunny days.

The other day, I noticed this teeny car. It is only a one-seater and the convience store uses it to deliver online take-out.

I wonder if this car is electric? It sure is small.

I also saw this Datsun Bluebird 1600 SSS, it still moves too!

There is a man that I almost always see walking in Minoo, he is always wearing a suit and that hat.

Always.

Even when the weather is super humid and hot.

He always tells each person he passes "good morning" or "good afternoon", and if he is saying it to a female, he always tips his hat.

Always.

I think he may be someone famous as Minoo is known to have many local stars living there, but I am not so sure who he is.

Sorry I couldn't get a picture of his face...

What have you been seeing on your walks?

p.s. I hope everyone on the East Coast and affected areas are okay. The images that the news has been showing is pretty horrific...please take care.

UPDATE: according to a tip from an Anonymous reader, this man is Mr Takechi, thanks again Anon!