butternut squash

There is a little fruit/vegetable stand in our neighborhood called Maeshika.

They bring in vegetables and fruits from all over Japan, and their prices are somewhat reasonable.

This week, since I was getting back into the groove of things (I think I've finally gotten over jet lag, but am still working through a cold), I went to see what sorts of fruits & veggies they had.

I was excited to see that they had butternut squash. (apparently grown in Okinawa)

It is something I've seen around the blogosphere but never in our markets.

So I purchased one yesterday...345 yen (tax included).

Of course, never having cooked with one, I looked online for info on how to peel/clean them. (love the internet!)

I had stashed some chicken stock, onions and bacon in the freezer before going to Hawaii, so I took them out.

With the rainy weather, I am planning to use half of the squash for soup tonight and planning to freeze the other half for soup in colder weather.

I hope to try other veggies/fruits from this shop in the future.

The weather here is definitely cooler in the early mornings and evenings, but we've been having rain and some humidity due to a typhoon near Taiwan.

I know the US and surrounding areas have been having krazy weather too....please take care and stay safe everyone.

Maeshika
1-6-20 Iguchido
Ikeda, Osaka
Phone: 072.761.8437
Hours: 9:30-19:00
Closed Sundays and 3rd Mondays

oui

Yoplait came out with a French yogurt called "oui" (means yes).

It is a thicker yogurt, so I'm not sure how it differs from the Greek type nor whether France or Greece actually have these types of yogurts...

I bought the coconut and blueberry flavored yogurts...

I loved the little messages on the back of the foil top.

The container is glass, so be careful when you buy them and I plan to bring these containers back with me to Japan.

I thought both were a little too sweet for me, so next time I'm home and if this is still on the market, I will try the plain.

Have you tried this brand? What's your favorite flavor?

moku kitchen

Got to spend my last day in Hawaii with Gaye lunching at Moku Kitchen.

This shop is related to Monkey Pod Kitchen.

Moku Kitchen is located in the SALT at Kaka'ako complex. The parking structure is so narrow and I wasn't familiar on how to get to the restaurant from the parking structure, so instead of pressing 1R, I pressed 1 (I think they should put something in the elevator, or if they did have something, it wasn't noticeable) and ended up walking all the way around the buildings...

Anyway...we shared this Beet Salad...love beets & goats cheese....

Garlic Truffle Fries

Szechuan Stir Fry Green Beans with Mac nuts...oyster sauce, garlic, chili and ginger...I want to re-create this and Gaye also shared how she makes this at home too (thank you!).

Pulled Pork Sandwich...

Everything was delicious and it was nice that we went when they first opened so we could chat because by the time we left they were packed and noisy!

Gaye also gave me all these goodies...granola, coconut chips, some items from bath and body works and a handmade spray.

It was nice catching up with her and I'm glad we've been able to keep in touch over the years.

I hope to bring Satoshi to check out this complex the next time we are back.

Thanks for lunch and spending time with me Gaye!

Moku Kitchen
SALT at Kaka'ako
660 Ala Moana Boulevard
Honolulu, Hawaii
Phone: 808.591.6658
Hours: 11:00-23:00

sugarlina

I know, we were all gonna go on a "diet" after that major foodie vacation, plus I think I may need some time getting back into the groove of things, so I thought I would line up some posts...

Before heading back, BFF and I had dinner and afterwards were in the mood for something sweet.

Since she had never heard of Sugarlina Bakeshop, I bought her a nutella cupcake to try.

BFF unfortunately is super picky about cupcakes (or baked things in general), so she was disappointed with their shortening based frosting...but enjoyed the cake which was moist.

5 years ago, I first tried them and enjoyed them.

Their prices are the same, though over the years our sales taxes went up.

In Japan these days, it's all about being "insta-bae" (in-stah-bah-ay) or "photogenic for Instagram"...so where I would have probably chosen a favorite flavor like chocolate, which would be brownish...I instead chose the blingy blue vanilla one...he he.

I loved the buttercream-ish frosting topped with all that crunchy blue sugar and the cake was super moist.

And since we had purchased something, they gave me a free macaron...so we kinda split this cotton candy flavored one.

I think they put the cotton candy flavor into the shell and the filling is a dense whipped cream...talk about sugar rush!

5 years ago, they only sold cupcakes so it was nice to see that they had expanded their menu a little.

And if I am not mistaken over the years, they freshened up the interior of the shop too.

I'm glad I got to reconnect with this place...I'll be back (for special occasions).

thank you

Earlier this year, our neighbor chopped down the avocado tree in their yard.

Their avocados were HUGE, creamy...too bad I learned to like them a little too late in life (I was a super picky eater growing up).

My brother says other avocados will never taste as good.

The owner's mother, (before the owners that live here now) planted the tree from seed many many moons ago.

Man, the tree was at least two or three stories high...

The ripe avocados would literally bomb our roof as well as theirs (even taking out a couple of their skylights)

The roots have crawled under the dividing stone wall and part of our patio foundation.

And the falling leaves would be constant.

But, there was so much shade that it gave us, and I loved the sound of the rustling leaves in the wind.

Even the owners (now) would hang out under the tree and talk story.

They say that all good things have to come to an end.

I'll miss the tree, the avocados and especially the shade...thank you!

On another note, it was a short 4 weeks or so for me in Hawaii, lots of eating, lots of terrorizing bonding with my furry niece, lots of catching up with friends and family.

I appreciate Satoshi for always letting me do this once a year...thank you!

I'm heading back to Osaka today.

Be well everyone!

big island bee & la tour bakehouse

As I was trying to figure out what to bring back as omiyage, I came across these cute packages of honey.

There are 8 sticks in each package and are sold for about $3 (plus tax, prices vary at different stores) each.

8 = hachi (ha-chee) in Japanese which is also the same pronunciation for bee...I'm not sure they intended to make that connection but I thought it was cute...

another item I picked up for friends is the Furikake Puffs by La Tour Bakehouse, which are sold at all La Tour Cafes.

These are $3.50 (plus tax) and would recommend picking these up at the main location in Iwilei--they have the most inventory, though the parking lot is kind of a pain to get in and out of.

I hope the friends I give these to will enjoy them.

down to earth

This trip back I was trying to support local businesses as much as possible...

One such business was Down to Earth, I would go quite often that I hope no one actually remembers me...

I found something new that I like there...their dark chocolate coconut chews...so good!

Usually when I go, I pick up a salad from their salad bar.

I think I would go two or three (sometimes more times) a week to get the salad for my dinner.

It's sold by weight...and I almost always get the same things...lettuce, kale, curried quinoa, beets, carrots, hijiki salad, avocado, sunflower seeds.

And pick up some bird bars for breakfasts.

I really want to re-create this...love all the seeds in there, so good!

What's your favorite local business?