Your Home for Homemade Japanese Food

How to cook "with visual instructions" "using familiar ingredients from your local grocery stores" healthy, traditional and delicious Japanese dishes!!

Tag Archives: easy recipes


by 11 Comments

Easy Japanese Tofu MOCHI Dessert (vegan/gluten-free)

Have you ever eaten Japanese traditional dessert dishes, which is called Wagashi in Japanese? There are so many recipes, such as mochi, dango, and sweet beans paste. Today I will introduce you to “Easy mochi dessert” using tofu.

fullsizeoutput_9cc_Foodgawker4

In my recipe, you don’t need special ingredients; you need only tofu, corn starch and sugar. You can enjoy this dish on its own, and also it is great when you eat it with a bit of sugar, chocolate spread, or caramel. Here I sprinkle the mochi with the mixture of ground sesame seeds and sugar. This makes the dish more traditional taste.

fullsizeoutput_9cf_Foodgawker1

Ingredients (20 -24 pieces small mochi)

1/2 (14-ounce) package of firm tofu

4 tablespoons sugar

6 tablespoons cornstarch

[for dusting] to taste

1 tablespoon ground roasted sesame seeds

1 tablespoon sugar

Collage_Fotordango

  1. Process the tofu in food processor until it gets smooth.
  2. In a pan, mix the tofu, sugar and corn starch. Stir for 3 minutes over medium heat, until you see some lumps. Turn the heat to low, stir for 8 to 10 minutes,  until it becomes sticky dough. (This is a bit tough but it is worth it.)
  3. Once the dough is cool enough to handle (Do not cool it completely. It is going to be hard to make a ball shape.), roll into small ball shapes by hand. Dust with the mixture of the sesame seeds and the sugar to taste.

fullsizeoutput_9ca_Foodgawker3


by 8 Comments

Spinach and Walnut Salad with Lemon Zest (Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-free)

Are you looking for easy, healthy yet delicious recipes? Well, this dish is for you! “Spinach and walnut salad” which has very fresh taste from lemon zest.

The recipe is very easy and quick. It takes only 5 to 6 minutes. Moreover, you can store it for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

fullsizeoutput_988_Foodgawker2_Fotor

 

Ingredients (servings 4)

10 oz. fresh baby spinach

1/4 cup walnuts pieces

Grated zest of 1 lemon

1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper

  1. Boil the spinach for 10 seconds in boiling water. Drain, rinse the spinach under cold running water and wring it dry by hand.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the spinach, walnuts, lemon zest, olive oil. Season with some salt and pepper and mix well.

IMG_6588_Foodgawker_spi2

 


by 22 Comments

Sautéed Chicken and Pumpkin with Miso Sauce (Gluten-free)

Today I introduce you to “Sautéed Chicken and Pumpkin with Miso Sauce”. It is a delicious, flavorful and hearty dish. 

IMG_4865_powerpoint

I use winter squash Kabocha in the recipe. Kabocha is a common ingredient in Japanese cuisine. It is high in vitamins, potassium, fiber and beta-carotene. The taste is slightly sweet and the texture is very soft when it is cooked.

My book Bento for Beginners: 60 Recipes for Easy Bento Box Lunches

is available on Amazon now!

fullsizeoutput_8a1

fullsizeoutput_985_Foodgawker2

The recipe is very easy.  You need just one skillet!

Collage_Fotorchickenpumpkin
Sauté chicken and pumpkin with butter in a skillet and simmer in the miso sauce.

Detailed and visual instructions can be found in the recipe PDF: Sauteed Chicken with Pumpkin

fullsizeoutput_984_Foodgawker1

Ingredients (servings 2)
*Click BLUE TEXT to link to the product on Amazon*

2 boneless skinless chicken thighs

¼ Kabocha winter squash 

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1 ½ tablespoons Organic Miso Paste

1 tablespoon Mirin (Sweet Cooking Rice Wine)

2 tablespoons Cooking Sake 
*You can substitute your favorite broth for cooking sake*

Detailed and visual instructions can be found in the recipe PDF: Sauteed Chicken with Pumpkin

fullsizeoutput_984_Foodgawker3


by 15 Comments

Teriyaki Tofu (Gluten-free/Vegan)

Here is a quick video how to cook Teriyaki Tofu.

It is very easy, takes only 25 minutes total, and amazingly delicious!!

Enjoy the authentic teriyaki taste!!

My book Bento for Beginners: 60 Recipes for Easy Bento Box Lunches is now available!!

BentoForBeginners_Facebook

 

{Teriyaki Tofu Ingredients (servings 2)}

7-ounce extra firm tofu

1/2 cup corn starch

2 tablespoons sesame oil

2 tablespoons gluten free soy sauce

2 tablespoons mirin

1 tablespoon cooking sake

1/2 tablespoon sugar


by 21 Comments

Japanese-style Braised Chicken Thighs with Tomato (Gluten-free)

Today I introduce you to “Japanese-style braised chicken thighs with tomato”. 

In the recipe, I use cooking sake, bay leaf, sugar, salt and pepper as seasonings and it is marvelous! The reason to add cooking sake is that it makes chicken soft and juicy and it rids the meat of its smell.

IMG_4458_Foodgawker1

In Japan, people sometimes season tomato sauce dishes with soy sauce too. This adds great Asian flavor to the dish. 

The dish is very hearty but the recipe is not complicated. You can cook with just one pan.

Collage_Fotorchickentomato
Cook chicken in a pan and set aside. With the pan, make tomato sauce. Put chicken back in the sauce and simmer.

Detailed and visual instructions can be found in the recipe PDF: Braised Chicken with TomatoIMG_4454_Foodgawker2

Ingredients (servings 2)
*Click BLUE TEXT to link to the product on Amazon*

2 chicken thighs

½ tablespoon vegetable oil

½ onion

1 small carrot

A pinch of salt and pepper

1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomato (no salt added)

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon Cooking Sake

1 dried bay leaf

Detailed and visual instructions can be found in the recipe PDF: Braised Chicken with Tomato


by 18 Comments

Pan-Fried Tofu with Delicious Sweet-Savory Dashi Sauce (Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-free)

Today I introduce you to “Pan-Fried Tofu with Delicious Sweet Savory Dashi Sauce”. This dish is typical Japanese homemade dish which is called “Agedashi Tofu” in Japanese.
*When you use my homemade kelp dashi stock, this dish is going to be vegan dish. And if you want it to be gluten free, please use gluten free soy sauce.

IMG_4423_Foodgawker1

*My Kelp Dashi recipe is here: Kelp Dashi stock

*You can buy vegetarian kelp dashi powder on Amazon:  Kombu Dashi Powder with No MSG (Vegetarian Soup Stock) 

In regular recipe for this dish, tofu is deep-fried but sometimes I feel deep-frying is a little bit too much work so in my recipe I cook tofu in a pan using only 2 Tbsp. of oil. It is easy, healthy and delicious, and also it still has great crunchy texture!

fullsizeoutput_788_Foodgawker3

The recipe outline:

  • Drain tofu in the microwave.
  • Coat the tofu with corn starch and cook in the pan.
  • Cook the sauce and drizzle the tofu with it.

 

IMG_4424_Foodgawker2

Detailed and visual instructions can be found in the recipe PDF: Pan-Fried Tofu with Dashi Sauce

Ingredients (Servings 2)
*Click BLUE TEXT to link to the product on Amazon*

½ pack (7 oz.) Firm Tofu

1 cups Dashi Stock (any kind)

1 Tbsp. Cooking Sake

1 Tbsp. Soy Sauce

1 Tbsp. Mirin (Sweet Cooking Rice Wine)

3 Tbsp. Corn Starch

2 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil

Some chopped Green Onion to taste

Graded Ginger to taste

Detailed and visual instructions can be found in the recipe PDF: Pan-Fried Tofu with Dashi Sauce


by 23 Comments

Flavorful Ginger Chicken (Gluten-free)

Today I introduce you to “Homemade Ginger Chicken.” This is an incredibly flavorful dish marinated mainly with ginger and soy sauce.

fullsizeoutput_76f_Foodgawker

As you know, ginger is extremely healthy. When you cook ginger, Gingerol, which is a flavor ingredient, changes chemically to Shogaol. This warms up our body and increases our metabolism. I often use ginger in my meals to make dishes flavorful and healthier!!

In this recipe I use chicken, but you can use pork instead of chicken if you prefer. If you use pork just make sure it is sliced thinly.

The recipe is very easy.
Collage_Fotorgingerchicken
Marinate cut chicken in a zipper plastic bag. Cook it with sliced onion in a pan.

Detailed and visual instructions can be found in the recipe PDF: Ginger Chicken Thigh

Ingredients (Servings 2)
*Click BLUE TEXT to link to the product on Amazon*

2 pieces Boneless and Skinless Chicken Thigh

1 Tbsp. Grated Ginger

4 Tbsp. Soy Sauce REDUCED SODIUM [Gluten Free] (Organic)

4 Tbsp. Cooking Sake

2 Tbsp. Mirin (Sweet Cooking Rice Wine)

1 Onion

1 Tbsp. Pure Sesame Oil  

Detailed and visual instructions can be found in the recipe PDF: Ginger Chicken Thigh


by 20 Comments

Microwaved Japanese-Style Fried Egg (Vegetarian/Gluten-free)

Today I introduce you to “Microwaved Japanese-Style Fried Egg ”. Usually we use a special rectangular pan. Here is a quick instruction: Cook thin fried egg and fold up twice. Under the egg, make another thin fried egg and wrap the first fried egg. Continue this 3 or 4 times. Once you get used to cooking this, it is easy, but we need practice so here I will show you how to cook in the microwave. It doesn’t have the exact same shape as pan-fried egg but it is similar and of course it tastes delicious!

IMG_4305_Foodgawker1

In Japan, this kind of fried egg is a very popular dish, even more than scrambled egg or sunny side up. We frequently add to our meals as a side dish and also add to lunch boxes.

Interestingly, there is a difference in the fried egg seasoning between west and east Japan. In western Japan, it tastes savory, seasoned with soy sauce and Dashi stock. In eastern Japan, it has a slightly sweet taste because sugar is added. 

««Easy and tasty cookbook Bento for Beginners now available on Amazon»»

9781646111350_ea-2

In this recipe I made sweet fried egg so that kids will like it too. The seasonings are sugar and milk (any kind is okay). If you want to try authentic fried egg, you can add 1 tsp. of cooking sake and soy sauce to the beaten egg. This makes the egg more flavorful!!

Here is a tip to cook egg in the microwave. Because of the egg’s elements, eggs sometimes change to purple-ish blue color in the microwave. This is natural and doesn’t harm you. However, in Japanese cuisine, the final presentation is very important so we add a splash of vinegar to the beaten egg. This keeps the egg from changing color when we cook in the microwave.

The recipe is very easy.
Collage_Fotortamago
Whisk eggs and seasonings. Microwave. Make the shape with plastic wrap and microwave again.

Detailed and visual instructions can be found in the recipe PDF: Microwave Fried Egg

IMG_4306_Foodgawker2

Ingredients (servings 2)

3 Eggs

1 Tbsp. Sugar

1 Tbsp. Milk (any kind)

1 tsp. Vinegar

Detailed and visual instructions can be found in the recipe PDF: Microwave Fried Egg


by 18 Comments

Tofu and Edamame with Flavorful Thick Sauce (Vegan/Gluten-free)

Today I introduce you to a great high protein dish  “Tofu and Edamame with Flavorful Thick Sauce”. This is an incredibly easy, healthy and delicious dish so it is great for weeknight dinners. 

729_Foodgawker1

The seasonings are soy sauce and cooking sake. Also I use corn starch slurry to make the sauce thicker. The thick sauce coats tofu and edamame and you can enjoy all the flavors together. 

I used frozen edamame in the recipe but you can use fresh too. Edamame is a very useful, versatile and nutritious ingredient. You can add it to many dishes, like omelet, soup, salad, rice, pasta and so on. Or you can just snack on boiled edamame! In Japan we traditionally eat edamame as an appetizer when we drink beer at dinner. The reason being that edamame may help the function of the liver which helps breakdown alcohol. At some common Japanese restaurants, Izakaya, they serve edamame right after we are seated before we  order, like bread sticks in an Italian restaurant (mostly the cost is included in the price as a service fee).

The recipe is very easy and quick.

Collage_Fotortofueda
Place tofu, edamame and seasonings into a pan and cook. Add slurry and serve!

It is a vegan and gluten free dish when you use kelp dashi stock or your favorite vegetable broth, and gluten free soy sauce.

fullsizeoutput_727_Foodgawker2

Ingredients (servings 2)
*Click BLUE TEXT to link to the product on Amazon*

½ pack Firm Tofu

½ cup Frozen Edamame

1 cup Dashi stock (any kind)

2 Tbsp. Soy Sauce REDUCED SODIUM [Gluten Free] (Organic)

1 Tbsp. Cooking Sake 

1 Tbsp. Corn Starch (for slurry)

2 Tbsp. Water (for slurry)

Detailed and visual instructions can be found in the recipe PDF: Tofu and Edamame Dish


by 19 Comments

Sautéed Salmon and Asparagus (Gluten-free)

Today I introduce you to “Sautéed Salmon and Asparagus”. 

IMG_3053_Foodgawker1

If you are tired of baked or grilled salmon, you should try this! It is very delicious, flavorful and has a very soft texture because I steam it with cooking Sake in a pan. This is the key to cooking the asparagus and salmon all the way through in such a short time. If you are not comfortable with using alcohol for cooking, you can substitute some broth.

The recipe is very easy.

Collage_Fotorsalmonaspara
Cook salmon and asparagus in a pan. Season and steam with cooking sake.

*Detailed and visual instructions can be found in the recipe PDF: Sauteed Salmon and Asparagus

IMG_3054_Foodgawker2

[Ingredients (Servings 2)]
*Click the blue text to the product on Amazon*

1 Fillet Salmon

7 Asparagus

½ Tbsp. Garlic Powder

¼ cup Cooking Sake

Pinch of Salt and Pepper

1 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil

*Detailed and visual instructions can be found in the recipe PDF: Sauteed Salmon and Asparagus

Here is the cooking video in YouTube: