Umejiso Onigiri and Soy Garlic Butter Steak Bento

Umejiso Onigiri and Soy Garlic Butter Steak Bento

I bought a small package of umeboshi (Japanese pickled plums) at the supermarket–I haven’t had it in a long time and memories of the salty-sour treat compelled me to make some onigiri for today’s bento. It’s a traditional pairing with rice and shiso (the red 

Skewered Ginkgo Nuts

Skewered Ginkgo Nuts

Ginkgo biloba is a beautiful tree that has been planted for its ornamental value in both the east and the west. It has been praised for its medicinal qualities and for improving memory. It’s a large and long lived tree, requiring both a male and 

Twice Fried Crispy Soy Garlic Chicken Wings With Cheesy Kimchi Topping

Twice Fried Crispy Soy Garlic Chicken Wings With Cheesy Kimchi Topping

There’s a restaurant in Flushing that I introduced my husband to called Debasaki–their specialty being deep fried wings stuffed with cheese and either kimchi, vegetables, or corn. It’s delicious but… far for me, terrible parking, and expensive (close to $20 a dozen pieces!) I prefer 

Matcha Pudding

Matcha Pudding

I had been dying to try this recipe since I have a can of sweetened red bean in my pantry that will expire sooner or later. It was a huge hit with everyone in the house, and I absolutely loved how pretty it came out. 

Simple Breakfast congee

Simple Breakfast congee

Colds blow through our house like a tornado, and despite the fact that neither of the kids go to daycare, the husband-unit often brings something home with him. While his immune system seems to be impervious to the viruses that ravages the winter seasons, myself 

Dandelion Apple Kimchi

Dandelion Apple Kimchi

The last of the dandelions are holding on as the cold weather moves onto Long Island. I saw them as I worked in the yard yesterday, and knew that if I didn’t nab them now, I wasn’t going to see them until next spring. They 

Napa Kimchi

Napa Kimchi

You never have kimchi when you need it–especially when you’re craving kimchi fried rice and all the other things you could make with it! This week I set out to make my own from scratch, as I think the work and love I put into 

Pickled Radish

Pickled Radish

I had some radishes left over from making the perilla kimchi and wanted to use it up before it went bad. Our whole family loves pickled radish, especially as a side dish. Traditionally, it’s said to improve digestion and clear your palate. Normally it’s done 

The Incredible Edible Chrysanthemum

The Incredible Edible Chrysanthemum

If there is one thing that I’m always looking for, it’s an edible perennial green that also tastes good. Dandelions are great, but they’re bitter (which not everyone in my family likes) and not suited to cooking because they shrivel up into tough strings, better