Trip to Japan3

The third posting of this theme will be an introduction of Okonomiyaki.

It is in one word a pancake, savoury type, with many ingredients and with special sauce.

There are two regions where Okonomiyaki is a specialite of the place: Osaka and Hiroshima.

When I as a person who is from Hiroshima talk about,

it is 'just' Okonomiyaki while it is called 'Hiroshima style' - Okonomiyaki for people in the rest of Japan as to differentiate it from 'Osaka style'.

The difference is:

All ingredients are mixed once with the Osaka style whereas there are steps to put some ingredients together to make the finished outcome for Hiroshima style.

 

 

Starting from spreading dough made of flour, water and other things round and thin (a French crepe like thing) on the hot plate, shredded cabbage (a lot of!) is put on top, followed by sliced pork belly, green onions and other ingredients and seasonings (according to the shop preference).

 

Flip over to cook cabbage and other ingredients,

 

 

Eggs and noodles are cooked aside,

and all ingredients are assembled to become...

 

 

 

The OKONOMIYAKI!

(the special 'okonomi' sauce and Aonori <chopped dried green seaweed> to finish)

 

I can't wait to go back to Hiroshima to have this!!! It's really delicious:)

 

 

 

cf. Here is a Okonomiyaki I made at home...

 

Wish I could have a grill plate to make this in London...

 

 

The trip will be continued to other part of Japan in the next entry...

 

 

Trip to Japan2

Miyajima.

 

One of world heritages which is located approx.25km away from Hiroshima city.

With its pretty yet sublime scenery, it is one of most popular visiting spot for people from overseas.

 

As photo in my camera is not really expressing well the beauty,

...

 

I have borrowed some nice looking ones:

 

 

 

 

In autumn, leaves of Momiji trees will be turning to red.

Greens are still looking good though...

 

 

 

Hiroshima (as a prefecture) is famous for oysters and Okonomiyaki which I will introduce in the next entry or so..

 

 

Miyajima is also famous for a 'momiji manju' which is a sweet cake made of sponge like dough with sweet Aduki bean paste inside.

The figure is exactly the same as those (the leave of momiji)  in the above in the photo while these are savoury type deep fried fish cakes.

 

 

 

Here is lunch of the day - Katsudon, a deep fried pork with bread crumbs which is in Japanese called Ton-katsu(it is similar to Schnitzel, just 'similar') covered with eggs on top of rice (we call this style 'Donburi') (Katsudon is a mixture/short of Tonkatsu and Donburi)

 

 

 

Hope to visit there again when Momiji trees turn red.

 

 

 

Trip to Japan1

As I am doing more on my Japanese blog, I have been aware which sort of postings are popular and that I have decided to post a series of those from a trip I made last month to my home country.

 

The first entry of this series will be perhaps a most exciting event for people in Japan: Cherry blossoms.

 

 

 

These two pics are taken near my home in Hiroshima.

I arrived there just few days before these trees became full in bloom around the end of March.

 

and,

 

 

 

 

 These two are from a second day (7th of April) I arrived in Matsumoto which is in the middle of Honsyu (the main) island of Japan.

That day was probably the best day during this season with perfect clear sky! so lucky I was!!!

 

There are some more things to update from these two cities which will be posted in the next few entries!



 

 

 

 

 

 

Pancakes!

While I have been fed up with issue of uploading photo here, another version of my blog in Japanese language has been updated regularly that you might be interested in viewing at least photos of what I have been through.

 

I have been to Japan since then, photos are being taken a lot there that I will probably post those shortly.

 

As the first posting after the long absenｃe, I have decided to introduce pancakes (here it means American type) - it seems that it has booming to make or eat pancakes in Japan:)

 

 

Here is a standard pancake with seasonal strawberries.

Although local made ones haven't arrived yet to the market, strawberries which come from Spain are very cheap at the moment here in London.

 

 

Here is another version with caramerised bananas (looks that it hasn't been caramerised well..) on top.

 

 

Kitchen Momiji's Pancake

 

<Ingredients>

2 eggs

30g sugar

pinch of salt

 

200g plain flour

6g baking powder*

200-240ml milk

 

*It is not required when using self raising flour

 

<Cooking instruction>

Preparation

- Sift flour and baking powder together and set aside.

 

1. Combine eggs, sugar and salt in a bowl with a whisk.

2. Gradually add flour mixture and continue mix until it is incorporated.

3. Add milk little at a time to incorporate all ingredients.

4. Rest in a fridge for about 1/2 hour.

5. Pour one ladleful (is this word existing?!) onto heated pan, turn around when bubbles are appeared on a surface, and cook another side until golden.

 

Serve with butter and honey or any other things of your choice.

 

To make caramerised banana, cut bananas into 1cm lengthwise thick, heat butter in a pan to melt , place the bananas with some sugar and sautéfor few minutes, pour some alcohol of your choice (e.g. dark rum, brandy etc).

 

 

Thank you for reading, have a nice day!