Culinary Endeavors III

I'd like to take a moment to share with you Japan's single greatest contribution to the world: takoyaki

These delectable little treats are made with tako, or octopus.  Yaki usually means fire or grill so I'm confused about its use here.  Either way, these are fried octopus balls (and by balls, I refer only to their orb-like construction.  No Rocky Mountain Oyster jokes here, please.)  This particular batch was a homemade mix of octopus and shrimp topped with two different sauces.  The topping pictured is a mayonnaise-based mixture of Japanese flavor.   Upon arrival, it will take about 4.5 minutes to realize that the Japanese are obsessed with mayonnaise and use it like both ketchup and ranch dressing in the US.  The other is made with the unique yuzu fruit that smells like an orange, but is as sour as a lemon. This little gem requires a more time in the countryside to learn to love.  They are used in everything from sauces and garnish to winter solstice bath fragrances.  It's contribution to my takoyaki, was simply the most recent of my many yuzu-enhanced experiences.

If you are ever lucky enough to have a chance to try any of these uniquely Japanese tastes, please feel free to dive in head first.

Anniversary - March 11, 2012

Remember 3/11

I think it appropriate to at least mention that today is the anniversary of the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami combo that caused so much devastation in the north of this wonderful country.  What is perhaps most shocking is to see how little progress has been made to rebuild the towns that were hit hardest.  Recent BBC articles report that as much as 19 years worth of garbage continues to sit in massive debris piles that will take years to dispose of.  Here’s a link to a great article and video that give you an idea what much of the coast still looks like and how survivors attempt to move on.  Please keep the Japanese in your thoughts.

http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/09/10622601-slimy-salty-but-tasty-seaweed-brings-life-back-to-japanese-village#.T1o7Gmdltdk.email

Trying Seaweed..

Sefu-sensei Tries Seaweed

Here's a video link to watch my first seaweed experience.