Purple, Green & Gold
More than a week ago, I finally got around to soaking some mung beans to sprout them. I’ve never attempted that before, and I’ve since learnt that the fat-root commercial variety is probably weighted down to encourage growth. But having more vegetables available is a welcome addition to meals, especially one which contains a dose […]
Stoplight Sushi
After finishing the old rice and quinoa for dinner, I finally got the opportunity to use the pre-roasted capsicum for an intended dish: stoplight sushi! Though the colours dulled, the natural sweetness and flavour is enhanced with roasting capsicum. The combination smoked mackerel, miso konnyaku, potato salad, peppery rocket, and roast capsicum was definitely an […]
First Perilla
Summer seems more evident with the majority of green produce in the off-license claiming it’s origins from the UK. The strawberries are still fruiting and flowering despite the unusual dry (and sunny!) weather. Unfortunately due to the move the crop of red perilla hadn’t the time in the ground as it should – last year […]
Vegan Jewelbox
An unexpected trip into town meant that I had a bit of time to be a good little consumer. As it is far easier to “stock up while you can” I opted for ‘pantry’ items rather than items needing immediate refrigeration. Although I can make it myself, I still haven’t gotten my kimchi as crisp, […]
Recipe: Ovenated Ganmodoki
Ganmodoki, according to Wikipedia means ‘imitation goose’ which was developed from vegan buddhist cuisine in Japan. Though the dish is traditionally deep fried, I like to avoid using or cooking items that get hotter than boiling water*. Even if the texture is not equivalent to being totally immersed in hot, hot oil I find I […]
Feeling a Little Zen
After the previous vegetarian stint it wasn’t too hard to upgrade (or is that downgrade?) to vegan level. I had bought konnyaku from a ‘rare ingredients’ shopping trip (short grain rice is difficult to find around here 🙁 ); though I am still not convinced of its effect as a ‘diet food’. Mainly containing fibre […]
Summer Onigiri
Another year, another Bento & Co contest. I have been rather depressed with what seems to be a great deal of effort expended to participate yet I’ve not even gotten into the shortlist. But I guess I’m masochistic – or just stubbornly holding on to the idea that I can win a new lunchbox rather […]
Temari Onigiri
The one big advantage from the move is evident in the kitchen – we seem to be able to get our hands on very fresh and local produce. One trip the local farm shop, which we consider our first stop for greens, had Yvan cycle home with a backpack of veggies. With such happy leafy […]
A Lunch of Two Cabbages
With a gloriously sunny weekend the sun summons for Yvan to the BBQ (and generally a home-cooked meal outside), we paid visits to two of our local farm shops for meat and seasonal veg. The extremely local veg, asparagus, was so fresh cut that it was oozing liquid from the ends and we happily took […]
Miso Vegetables and Salmon
I have been putting off my bulk rice order for Yvan to sort out the new kitchen layout, so I have been craving plain white rice for a while. With the pantry and shopping schedules thrown, I requested for carrots and a cabbage since they are rather long lived vegetables. Generously, a pair of small […]