Nikujaga

Once in a while, we both feel like having nikujaga, which literally translates to meat & potatoes.

Nikujaga is this shoyu based simmered beef & potatoes dish and basically onions, potatoes, carrots & beef are used just like in any meat & potatoes stew.

I add shirataki (konnyaku noodles) sometimes.

hmmmm craving satisfied =)

The craving kicked in when we saw this on Harumi Kuriharas cooking show last thursday.

Lightly blanched takana vegetables with grilled beancurd skin strips

Nikujaga is a strong shoyu based stew so this mini salad was just lightly salted.

satoimo (yam) takikomi rice

with shitake mushroom slices and bonito flakes

as i am typing this, i am suddenly reminded of the yam rice we used to have when we eat duck rice!!! but this version i made isnt as brown as that, and i think this is yummy enough. you can really taste the pure yam. of course this yam is super fresh from the farmers mart and doesnt have any weird smell. bought twice from the supermart and they had a strong not so yummy yam smell. i am sooooooooooo thankful the farmers mart has this now!

curry & aonori hanpen

hanpen is a kind of tofu soft fish cake is sold in square pieces about the size of a tofu, and i love making my own fish cake with this. since hanpen is easily squashed, i squash the, mix whatever i like into it, reform them into little patties and pan fry. =)

this way, i can make whatever fish cake i like!