Turkey, Meunster, and Peppermint Sandwich

Turkey, Meunster, and Peppermint Sandwich

If you’ve never used mint (or mint jelly) on a sandwich, you really should start. Seriously, you won’t be disappointed. I don’t know how to describe the deliciously fresh taste that using mint imparts, but it’s what I think of when I think of Summer. 

“Sundried” Tomatoes, Garlic, and Rosemary in Olive Oil

“Sundried” Tomatoes, Garlic, and Rosemary in Olive Oil

I had to put “sundried” in quotations because I didn’t actually dry them in the sun, but what would you call dehydrated tomatoes? Dried tomatoes… dehydrated tomatoes… desiccated tomatoes… they don’t sound too appetizing that way and the supermarkets sell them as “sundried” anyway, even 

Sauteed Clams, Shiso Batayaki Style

Sauteed Clams, Shiso Batayaki Style

For those wanting a less Asian approach to using shiso while using a large quantity of it, this is the recipe for you: Sauteed Clams, Shiso Batayaki style. My husband (who is part Italian) LOVES this sauce as it is wonderful for all kinds of 

Shoyuzuke Egg Yolk

Shoyuzuke Egg Yolk

Here’s another recipe from Japan: Shoyuzuke Egg Yolk, which is a raw egg yolk marinated over night in a soy sauce mixture to create a delicious and rich topping for rice (or ramen!) This is one of the things my daughter really liked to eat 

Pan Roasted Figs With Gorgonzola And Honey

Pan Roasted Figs With Gorgonzola And Honey

I was walking through my garden, taking stock of things, and realized that my Hardy Chicago figs had ripened. I picked them, ones which were soft and drooping, ate a few on my way back into the house, and then set to make a simple 

Panzanella

Panzanella

Usually, the herbs and tomatoes I grow in the garden will culminate in panzanella at least once, if not more times during the summer. This is usually after a party of some sort where I have a crusty loaf of bread sitting in the fridge 

Hitsumabushi (Unagi Eel Over Rice)

Hitsumabushi (Unagi Eel Over Rice)

I was never as fond of Japanese grilled eel as my sister was (my sister once had to go to the hospital when she was 3 because there were leftover bones in the unagi-don that got stuck in her throat) mainly because I couldn’t stomach 

Tamago Gohan: You Game?

Tamago Gohan: You Game?

One of my daughter’s favorite things to eat (and mine too) is Tamago Gohan, directly translated from Japanese as Egg Rice, a raw egg mixed with hot rice and soy sauce. It’s a simple but delicious meal, comfort food, and I guess the Asian equivalent 

Gyudon (Japanese Beef Bowl)

Gyudon (Japanese Beef Bowl)

For those who grow their own onions, shiso, chives, etc., and collect their own eggs (duck or otherwise) this is a great recipe for those days you’re craving something a bit more savory and substantial. Gyudon is a Japanese beef bowl meal–the suffix “-don” (short 

Szechuan Zha Jiang Mian

Szechuan Zha Jiang Mian

A friend of mine came over the other day and gave me cucumbers and carrots they grew, two things I did not have the chance to plant this year (nor do I have the space, currently, as the annual bed is full.) I can understand