Reiko

Reiko

by : Reiko Japanese Food, Sweets

Wagashi：Camellia & Colored Leaves
和菓子：椿と紅葉

This pandemic sucks.

No doubt about it.

But I’m trying to stay positive and take advantage of this situation (of mostly staying home) as much as I can.

So I’ve been going through my bucket list, and today I crossed off another one, making Wagashi, traditional Japanese confections.

Wagashi is food, but also “art.”

So presentation is super important.

I definitely need to work on my skills, but I’m pretty happy with the results of my first attempt.

I made two types today.

This one is Camellia.

Luckily, my husband just recently bought me natural food coloring.

I hate to use artificial colors for my food, so I was very happy that I was able to add beautiful colors without guilt.

This is the leaf version.

Super happy with how the color gradation turned out.

As you can tell, beans are an essential part of traditional Japanese sweets.

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by : Reiko Sandwiches

Koya Tofu Steak and Papaya Salad Sandwich
高野豆腐ステーキとパパイヤサラダサンドイッチ

Who wouldn’t like a sandwich full of fresh flavors and variable textures?

Remember this papaya salad we had yesterday as part of my Birthday takeout meal?

Since we still had some left, I decided to use it to make a sandwich.

The fresh papaya can work like coleslaw as it’s fresh and crunchy.

How gorgeous is it?!

Sourdough bread, hearts of palm-jackfruit crabby (from yesterday’s feast as well) pâté , cucumber slices, Thai basil, Koya tofu steak, tomato, papaya salad, and cilantro.

Delicious!!

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by : Reiko Other

Full-Course Birthday Vegan Dinner
フルコースヴィーガン誕生日ディナー

I was so spoiled!!

My husband ordered a full-course dinner takeout from http://roottorisekitchen.com/ to conclude the celebration of my birthday month.

I was so excited to pick it up.

Everything was packed so well, and opening each box was like opening my birthday present one by one!

I knew he ordered a course meal for me, but the menu was a secret.

Hearts of Palm & Jackfruit Crabby Cakes.

Unripe Shaved Papaya Salad.

Spicy Pumpkin and Coconut Thai Soup.

Butternut Squash Tamale with Roasted Orange Sauce Wrapped in Banana Leaves.

Hummus Platter with Seasonal Fruits and Veggies.

Avocado Chocolate Soufflé.

Everything was absolutely delicious!!

It was one of the best course meals I’ve ever had, vegan or not.

My husband chose the dishes, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well he knows my food/flavor preference!

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by : Reiko Japanese Food

Lotus Ball Nabe
蓮根つみれ鍋

What’s more perfect than Nabe, Japanese hot pot, on a cold cloudy day?

Nabe is so easy to prepare.

All you need to do is to cut up all the veggies and tofu.

We typically add some kinds of meat, fish, or/and meat(or fish) balls.

I don’t need them, but I thought it would be fun to add balls to Nabe today.

I made these balls with Renko lotus as a main ingredient.

They turned out great.

3D carrot flowers are a must!

They are super easy to make, but so pretty.

Now we wait…

This pot is way too big for two persons, but I love how well it shows off all the food, and I don’t mind having leftover.

My husband and I enjoyed this so much.

When we do Nabe, we actually sit at the dining table, which is an added bonus.

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by : Reiko Sweets

Vegan Snickers
ヴィーガン・スニッカーズ

I was never a big candy bar person even before we changed our diet.

There were a few I would pick up at the cashier (they know exactly where they place them to sell!), but Snickers was NOT my favorite.

But I was excited to try this vegan version of Snickers, mostly because I liked the ingredients.

First of all, this is raw and vegan.

And it doesn’t end there.

No added oil or sugar in these!

But most of all, these are delicious!!

My husband was never a big Snickers eater, but we both liked these so much, better than the real thing.

Loved the combination of chocolate and peanuts.

They are sweet, but they are “feel good” sweet, if you know what I mean.

I also liked that the “caramel” part was creamy and smooth, but not “stick-to-teeth” sticky.

I followed the recipe from https://carolineschoice.com/sweet-vegan/ e-cookbook.

Highly recommended!

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by : Reiko Noodles/Pasta

Garlic Tomato Hijiki Spaghetti
にんにくトマトひじきスパゲッティ

I always liked seaweed, but it became extremely important in my diet when I switched to the plant-based diet.

Seaweed gives dishes the “ocean” flavor I crave sometimes, and I fully enjoy such dishes without so-called seafood, like shrimp and scallops.

In fact seaweed has become my “seafood”!

Hijiki seaweed is one of my favorites, although I cannot think of any type of seaweed I do not like.

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by : Reiko Japanese Food, Rice/Grains

I-Love-Colors Inari
彩いなり御膳

There are so many Japanese food products you can buy in the U.S. toady.

I typically lie to make my Inari pouches myself, but I have to confess, store-bought ones are convenient.

I bought a package a few weeks ago, put it in the fridge, thinking I would thank myself when I want a tasty meal but I don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

The day came yesterday.

If you are not familiar with “Inari Sushi,” it is sweet soy sauce braised soy curd pouch stuffed with sushi rice.

This time I decided to dress them up a little on the top.

You can’t see it, but there is rice at the bottom.

This one is Hijiki seaweed and beans.

Scrambled turmeric tofu.

Sesame carrot.

The Inari sushi was served with miso soup, kimchi, and Rakkyo pickles.

Have a great weekend everyone.

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by : Reiko Breakfast, Japanese Food, Sweets

Azuki-Butter Scones
あんバタースコーン

This combination of sweet Azuki (red beans) and butter may sound strange to Westerners, but it’s hugely popular in Japan.

The key is to use a hunk of cold butter (not melted).

No, you do not count calories.

My homemade vegan butter.

You can buy sweet red beans from stores, but this time I cooked some myself.

Homemade sourdough scone, sweet Azuki beans, vegan butter, and strawberry jam.

The saltiness from the butter, sweetness from the red beans, and the tartness from the jam.

Mmmmm, so good!!

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by : Reiko Sandwiches

V-Chicken Tomato Jam Sandwich
Vチキントマトジャムサンドイッチ

Our neighbor, Mr. K, shared his homemade loaf of bread again, and I knew I wanted to make a sandwich.

He makes this awesome loaf which I call it sandwich bread because it’s perfect to make sandwich with.

He tells me all the ingredients, and he swears there is no secret he is hiding from me (lol), but this has an amazing texture that I really love.

(You can see the bread better in the last picture at the bottom. I wish I knew how he is able to create those holes.)

I just got this tomato jam/spread from Trader Joe’s recently, and I thought it would be fun to try it on this sandwich.

Mr. K’s sandwich bread, homemade vegan mayo, homemade vegan chicken, tomato jam, and arugula.

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