Our get together on 25/26th Dec

They don't really do Christmas, so I called it get together on 25/26th December. I like it that way, very casual, and no Christmas hassle and stress. For English people, it's the one of the important day of the year and they make effort to be something special. 

Isn't it supposed to be family gathering and time to relax? Not anymore. Coming up to the Christmas, people get stressed about buying presents, where to go and who to invite, getting new decorations, buying lots of foods they can't even finish etc, and more & more people seem like spending huge amount of money on gifts, I heard some parents bought an ipad to a 9 year old kid (I would assume with 3G/4G). Cor, blimey, what does Christmas mean to those people? Money? $$$$????

Just before the Christmas, I got stopped by two Jehovah's witness people, I was in a hurry, I didn't meat to be rude. I stopped. One of them asked me a question; "Tell me something, what does Christmas mean to you?" I said without hesitation; "Nothing, Christmas means nothing to me!" And I walked off. They didn't say anything, I looked back and waved; "It's not my religion!" Oh, the expression they had on their faces. I didn't mean to be rude.... If I had more time, I would explain to them, I always do. I chat when they knock on my door when I'm not busy. They always knock in really bad time. Almost as if they know I am busy and try to piss me off?☹☹☹

By the way, it was an simple question but it would've been loooong & deep answer, would need a pot of tea and good couple hours for this discussion.....

25th Dec

Marilyn preparing sprouts and chestnuts

Uncle Steven curving his chicken

We all contributed to that day. Uncle Steven eats meat, so he brought his chicken (not a turkey, he wasn't fussy either), Marcus made his speciality yummy nut roast (every year, it turns out different), Marilyn did all veggies, and I brought desserts. What an team work! Clearing after wards was also the team work, I don't mind washing up. I'm used to it!

I ate 2 servings. Yes, 1 serving means nothing to me. I eat lots for a little person as everyone tells me. I couldn't eat desserts, we went out a little walk, when we came back, we chilled out in front of fire. and had some chestnuts cooked on the wood burner. 

We also had desserts. I made "Chocolate and chestnut tart (vegan), and mango and coconut pineapple jelly with orange cashew cream (vegan).  They were not  raw though. For the tart, I used tinned unsweetened chestnut puree, for jelly, I needed to boil the liquid to dissolve the veg gel.

I thought my tummy was going to explode after the desserts.

Beautiful roasted potatoes

Porccini mushroom gravy was delish!

Mango and coconut jelly

26th Dec

We stayed over night round Marilyn's. 
More food! Our breakfast, we were good, we had juice and some rye toast.  I don't owe a toaster anymore, so, this rye bread (sometimes pumpernickel) is a real treat for me.

Carrot, apple, beetroot & ginger juice

 After our walks in Covehithe, we had our late lunch/ tea. It was.... "Bubble and Squeeeek".
This is yet another dish, people seem to have different ideas from each other.  Some use mashed potato, some use crushed new potato, I saw it was made with blanched grated potato (like hash brown). All mixed up making into a patties, or spread in a baking tray and bake. Anyhow, it taste good making it from leftover food from previous dinner.

Bubble&sqeeeek with left over nut roast and tofu sausages

It's always lovely to get together ( If you have a nice family and get on well with each other), I always encourage people to do this. I don't see my family often, need to make the most of each other while I can and whenever I can. I know some of my friends have complicated family and very dysfunctional and yes, very hard to get together to have lovely time. I hope these will be solved before too late.

Food in Japan: Home cooking---Mum's food

Here's some of foods my mum cooked for us. When we got there, I told her what our diets were like, she looked a bit puzzled. She thought bacon was o.k to eat for vegetarians, bless her. She made us lovely salad every night. We were more than happy eating with kabocha, sweet potato and seaweed salad. 

My parents don't eat lots of food we used to eat anymore, simple food with fresh ingredients seem to be their diets. Of course, us, Japanese loooove our noodles, wherever you go there, there are always noodles bar/ cafe/ restaurant and convenience stores. You don't get hungry there. 

My dad is a diabetes, he was taking a few tablets. As far as I could see, he ate much better than last time I saw him. He used to love sweet things, like me, cakes, chocolates, biscuits and anything passing through his eyes. That is one of many reasons why I now tend to avoid sugary products. 

Anyway, here they are. o(^▽^)o

The evening we got in

Salad, tofu, sauteed mushrooms and fruits

Salad & Vegetable broth

The evening we got in, mum already cooked Japanese bacon (it's much different from English ones. More like a ham-like texture and colour) sauteed with Shimeji mushrooms, and pan fried chicken in soy sauce. I did tell her we didn't eat meat on the phone before, but obviously she didn't take in, did she. So, she needed to cook another batch without bacon and made a bowl of salad. Bless her. 

This veg broth is usually made in winter and popular dish to have on new years day, is called "Kenchin-jiru). Some put chopped pork, but this one was made with kombu stock with little soy sauce. And I loooove it. This is another dish I could easily live on. It usually contains: shiitake mushrooms, eddo potatoes, konnyaku( made from a kind of yam, contains dietary fiber, low calorie, helps level blood sugar and cholesterol, prevents high blood pressure, it's called konjac in England), daikon (radish), carrots & gobou (burdock root). All cut into chunky pieces. Always taste much better on the second day!

 

Aubergine with miso & Kabocha

Sweet potato cooked in lightly salted water

I asked to mum to cook without soy sauce, Marcus can't have it due to wheat intolerance, she cooked in lightly salted water, she thought really plain to begin with, but actually, these sweet potato had plenty flavour, no need to add any sauces. It was gorgeous as they were. Same as kabocha. Cooked in the same way, and they were delish! When I got back, I cooked them just like she did, but felt it tasted different...Always what mum cooks is better than mine.

Sauteed beansprouts and Shimeji mushrooms

Ooooh! Seaweed salad! The best in the world!

I love seaweed salad, I could eat them all day and everyday.  In Japan, they are reasonable to purchase from supermarkets, and full of nutrients. They are available in dried or semi-dried, of course, semi-dried ones are much nicer and fresher. They usually come in salted. So, need a good soaking and wash in cold water. For mixed seaweed salad, it's just handy to buy dried ones, they usually come in a few packets in a bag. 

Seaweed is very nutritious. It contains natural iodine, much better than iodine added table salt. There is "seaweed seasoning" available in England too, use as salt. It also contains good amount of calcium and protein. When I was a child, I was told to lots of wakame seaweed for strengthen bones and healthy hair, and what they said was true! 
Moreover, seaweed has vitamin B12, A and soluble fiber.

I recommended to many people to include them in their diet, most of them didn't want to, and they thought seaweed was horrible things to eat without trying them. Some said it didn't taste anything and didn't like it. So, it sounds like yet another "love-or-hate" food. It can be blended into your smoothies (if it doesn't taste nothing to some, blend into smoothies don't affect taste and still gaining benefits), adding to your salads, make sushi (with sushi nori-seaweed sheets), rice balls, cut into small pieces and sprinkle on rice, salad, even soup. Koreans make nori rolls without vinegared rice. They are delish, make nori rolls with unvinegared rice, what an good idea!

Spinach with egg seasoned with salt and pepper

Japanese home cooking is very simple, well, mind you, my parents are getting older, they eat light dishes like those, adding fish sashimi (raw fish), little amount of meat. Younger generations eat differently. Still, Japanese cooking focuses on good quality, delicate & fine flavour of each ingredients. We like to eat small amount (except me ☺) with a few different dishes, bowl of rice, and miso soup. Usually contains fish, meat and veg dish in one meal (dinner). Lunch, love bento (lunch box) take-aways and noodle bars.

Chicken and veggie in ankake (my parents' dinner)

This dish is chicken and veggie ankake. Ankake is a sauce made with potato flour to thicken. Soy sauce, a bit sugar, sake and mirin, add potato flour dissolved in water. Or coat chicken with potato flour, take excess off, sauteed them with veggies, add sauce mixture in the end. Chinese style contains rice vinegar, is called famous "sweet and sour " dish! (Option: Add tomato ketchup)

Good quality Tamari soy sauce

This tamari we found in Tobu department store food hall, which was really tasty, very rich and thick. Cor, blimey, it was thicker than ones we get here. (ie; Clearspring --good quality products). So, only needed a little bit each time. 

Oh, my friend Naomi thought my mum was having a bit hard time cooking food without meat and fish, she thought wheat-free vegetarian cooking was difficult. Bless her.

Anyway, I love Japanese food! Yum yum.

Hungry Norie's Raw Nik-Naks 5 --- Raw vegan chocolate torte

Kabocha squash tart wasn't too bad, now, I wanted to eat a chocolate tart. I still remembered how beautiful the tart I had in Japan, my mission is to recreate the flavour and texture. Maybe one day, my raw nik nak skills will be improved and be able to create delicious cakes and tarts.

I was asking round people what desserts they were making for this Christmas, of course, Christmas pudding with brandy sauce and sherry trifle were the most popular ones. They are very traditional English desserts, I'd like to make a little bit different. So, I decided to make : vegan chocolate and chestnut tart with cashew cream, Tropical fruits "trifle". I never made them before, so, I'm not sure how they turn out, will let you know later.

Right, I was again, really hungry for sweet chocolaty things. When I saw cakes and tarts on someone's blogs (with photos of course), my urge to eat those desserts got stronger and stronger. So, I decided to make one. Raw Chocolate vegan tart.

I now love making them now, thanks to all people who do raw desserts, actually, I was inspired to start off. Great isn't it. ☺☺☺Of course, no sugar, no sweetener, no wheat, no gluten and no animal by products! H.E.A.L.T.H.L.Y!

Chocolate Tart:

"Pastry"
200g pitted dates ; chopped in food processor
50-80g cashew nuts
1 tblsp raw cacao powder
30g desiccated coconuts

Blitz to crumble, and knead into a dough
Roll out (between 2 baking parchments) onto 9inch removable base tin
Then store in your fridge till later


"Chocolate Filling"
120g Hazel nuts; soaked over night
Vanilla pod
3tblsp raw cacao powder
2tblsp carob powder
1/2 cup melted coconut oil

Britz/Blend all together, pour into the tin 

"Topping"
Sprinkle raw cacao nibs on the top

That's it! Eazy peazy lemon squeezy!

Let it allow to set and serve with yummy lemony cashew cream.

Chocolate tart with cashew cream

That didn't last long, I gave some pieces away to friends as well. I enjoyed very much. Yum Yum, can't wait to make some more.

Marilyn's birthday dinner

 

❀Marilyn da b'day girl❀

Weekend before we went to Japan, we went to see lovely Marilyn. We did a week early Marilyn's birthday dinner. I always enjoy getting into her kitchen, she has a lovely kitchen with big glass door opens to her garden. I especially love peace and relaxed atmosphere there. 

26/Oct 

Happy birthday Marilyn!

Here's what I cooked:

Beetroot salad

Carrot, coriander and ginger coleslaw

Falafals

Shallot chick pea "tempura"

Babaganoush

Cashew dip

Home grown raw apple crumbles

Pistachio and vanilla vegan "white chocolate" with mug of tea

We all enjoyed our dinner that day. It was pleasure to cook for Marilyn. o(^_-)O

shallot chick pea "tempura" & Falafals

 

Raw apple crumbles

Pistachio white chocolate

Food in Japan: Dinner at the Italian restaurant--- Da·Maeda in Kyoto

Selection of raw desserts ^_−☆

20/Nov

Once I met up with my friend Kazuya in Kyoto station (took a while... ☹☹☹), we went to a cafe for a quick coffee. We hadn't seen each other for about 26 years, it was lovely to meet up and catch up with what we were doing for last 26years. Cor, blimey, he aged a bit. Of course, it was loooong time ago, when we first met in London. I'm sure other people we met at that time look older too.

We spent about a few hours chatting, then, we went to pick up Marcus outside the Kinkakuji (金閣寺). Traffic wasn't bad, it was smooth all afternoon and evening. Kazuya seemed to have some idea to entertain us, but that plan didn't go very well. Long story cut short, We ended up to go out for a dinner. By then, it was getting late. Time for a dinner.

He took us to a restaurant run/owned by a colleague of his from long time ago, who now has two restaurants in Kyoto. Raw vegan restaurants! One of them we went was an organic Italian restaurant, serving meat, fish, veggie dishes as well as raw vegan foods. We were thrilled. And it was delicious!  I was really inspired by Mr. Maeda (chef /owner) 's food. He used to be an Italian chef in a big hotel for years, also, he was a pastry chef! The chef Maeda's been raw vegan for 8 years, he told us felt really good himself since switched to raw vegan diet. Oh, I would love to work with him! o(^_-)O

These were what we had.

Raw vegan "cheese" and raw crackers

courgette "spaghetti" salad with basil dressing

Squid ink pasta (eaten by Kazuya)

Vegan lasagna with basil (eaten by me!)

Empty plate...It was tomato and herb penne gluten free (Marcus!)

 It was so tasty that he quickly demolished, forgot completely, taking a photo...☹

Selection of desserts, I could eat all of them very easy!

This is what I had: Matcha and coconut tart

This is what Marcus had: Chocolate and vanilla "cheese" cake

Da·Maeda Raw Chocolate Brownies

Also, he was selling some health foods, seeds, beans, gluten free products, raw chocolate and raw chocolate brownies! Of course, we bought raw nuts, raw chocolate, and raw brownies. Raw brownies were hand made, yum yum, just lovely to eat such a delish sweets in Japan. Why? Because, the most of sweets there contains wheat and sugar, hard to find raw food, well, same as here anyway. I tasted quite a bit people's "raw brownies", I must say, they were really nice. Tasted rustic and real. I would defo recommend to pay a visit for lovely raw vegan lunch/dinner at da.maeda in Kyoto.

We felt raw food were getting very popular in Kyoto, certainly, felt more hippy-like energy than Tokyo. I thought; I could easily live there comfortably.

By the way, it was very relaxing, rustic and quiet setting ( when we were there), very grow-up like restaurant. Thank you very much to the chef for making / cooking us beautiful foods! Yum yum.


ダ· マエダ　京都イタリア料理 
Da·Maeda Kyoto Italian restaurant
da-maeda.com
Tel: +81 75-465-5258
Address:京都府京都市上京区千本通中立売上る玉屋町３６

Food in Japan: Going out

While Marcus was in Kyoto (He went to Kyoto for 5 days, he had 3 days Norie(me)-free days I joined him for last 2 days), I contacted a few friends of mine to meet up. I managed to meet up with 4 of them, we went out for food. We had really good chat and laugh, always lovely to see friends.

On Monday night, I met up with Ino-chan and went to Shinjuku for food. He took me to a restaurant pub which served Oden (veggies, fish, meat cooked in kombu stock soup) on the one of back streets. I hadn't had that for more than 15 years, I honestly didn't remember last time I ate, it was that long... It was delish, everytime we ordered for more and ate straight away, forgot to take photos. Only remains..... After that, we went out for karaoke, but quickly left. It was fun night.

Iced oolong tea, spinach ohitashi with sesame sauce

Last remains of Ino-chan's oden

Wednesday, I met up with Naomi for lunch, went to a chain restaurant called Royal Host in my neighbourhood. Food wasn't too bad. I had french fries and salad. I really fancied chips. And I was happy. There, if you buy a cup of filter coffee and tea (hot or iced), you can have as many as you like, so, after finished our lunch, we had probably 5 glasses, and stayed there for more chat. 

In the evening, I met up Taeco at Yurakucho station (有楽町/ 銀座), and went out for snack and chat. She was late due to the train accident. I didn't mind, I was watching people walking past, and fun to watch them anyway.

When she arrived, she was hungry after work, so she took me to Muji cafe near the station. Cor, blimey, it was a huge Muji store and really nice! They had a huge cafe upstairs, and food looked gorgeous! Price wise, it wasn't too bad. Quantity wasn't big, they were small portions, so, we could get to choose a few different foods from the deli counter. When I looked round, lots of women on their own eating their dinners. She told me it was easily accessible and women felt comfortable being there.
I'd love to go there and eat again, foods I had were also vegan, and they were yummy.

I felt vegan/vegetarian foods and restaurants were increasing in Japan, still, lots of people thought bonito dashi /katsuo dashi (fish stock) was vegetarian.....

Food in Japan: Our snack

I really enjoyed our snacks/lunch/pack lunch. Initially, I was wondering what I was going to eat, as far as I remembered, I used to or Japanese liked to include ramen noodles, pastas, chicken dishes, pork dishes and fish/sea foods in their diet. 

Breakfast, I had fermented soya beans (nattou 納豆) with tamari, miso soup made with kombu dashi (kombu seaweed stock), and yummy sticky rice. Only one morning, I had Marcus's smoothie. I wanted to eat as much as I could to stock whatever the nutrients in the fermented beans in my body...... But truth was; I simply love the food. I grew up with it, and to me, taste awesome. The best in the world! ☺☺☺ My friend Kazuya from Kyoto, does not like it, he never did in the past and he never will. Funny thing is; west side of  Japan people don't really eat much, more like east side of  Japan people eat lots. They make it there! All of my cousins and family love it. I offered it to Marcus, but the smell put him off, also it's really slimy. It doesn't look nice. I can understand why they refuse to eat it.

Well, if I want to eat this here in Bury St Edmunds where I live, I either order on line or I need to go to the Korean oriental store Cambridge. So, I don't eat often, I actually thinking of getting a natto making kit from Japan. Soya beans have more nutrients when fermented. So, include miso, tempeh (yum yum), tamari (gluten-free), shoyu and any fermented soya products (natural ones) in your diet!

Benefit: Improve digestibility, someone with difficulty digesting protein, this helps. Soy fermentation converts minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, copper, & zinc into soluble forms and increase vitamin level. It also protects against cancer development, reduce cholesterol and progression of atherosclerosis. It enhances healthy intestinal flora and correct digestive tract imbalances.

Anyway, they were some of our snacks and Japan's drinks vending machines. They are everywhere. 

cold and hot drinks, lots of choice!

Bananas, sharon fruits and semi-dried sharon fruits we bought in Ueno market

We absolutely love sweet and caramely these sharon fruits. We ate lots and lots, everyday, breakfast, lunch and dinner! My granny used to dry them when I was a child, I wanted Marcus to try them. They weren't as good as my granny ones, still, they were delish! Fresh ones were exquisite!  
 

our typical snack. Tea, rice balls, fruits, and gammodoki (on the right)

 Snack in Yokohama China town for me & my friend Kaz

Veggie crisps

Veggie crisp: carrots, kabocha squash, eddo potato, onions, potato and burdock root

Fish mongers

These fishmongers are now rare to find. I found this shop near Shinjuku-gyoen, in the middle of office buildings, restaurants and shops. I bet it'd been there for years. Sad to see those small independent shops disappearing. I think it's the same story as everywhere. All big franchise/ chain shops taking over, crushing small businesses. All towns and cities look pretty much the same, same shops, same restaurants, cafes etc... boring!

I got hooked on rice balls, I now sometimes cook sticky rice, make rice balls and salad for my lunch for work sometimes. Make green rice, mixing green tea powder to hot rice, wrap with plenty nori sheet. It's a bit like sandwiches. Fill with whatever you like, oh, I like that idea. I think I eat really well....... Yeah, why not? ☺☺☺