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Greetings!
Lately I have been delving into the rituals of Japanese cooking and the symbolism that meets ethestics in the meal. I thought that you may be interested in following a few of these traditions with me and we will continue to bring information to you in these next few issues. I hope you enjoy them and also I am always excited to hear what your family and friend traditions are around the table too. You can email me at naomi@nuculinary.com and share.
For my Portland readers, don't miss your chance to order up a jubako of Osechi Ryori (New Year's food) hand made by volunteers from the Oregon Nikkei Endowment. And everyone can stay tuned for my upcoming enews feature all about the Japanese New Year's celebration, Oshogatsu.
Building Community through Cuisine,
Naomi
Naomi Kakiuchi, RD, CD, CCP |
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Chocolate Walnut Pear Tart
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Here's a recipe I wrote for my friend Susan at The Well-Fed Heart, that would look beautiful on any holiday table. This chocolate tart is super easy to make and with all the fruit and nuts it's actually pretty healthy for you too.
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The Art of Sushi | | |
Who isn't in love with sushi these days?! My sushi lessons on DVD are a unique gift idea sure to please your cook and foodie friends.
Anyone who wants to get started making their own sushi will appreciate the thorough, step-by-step instructions I give in The Art of Sushi - Basics. My mom divulges her secrets to rolling tight, beautiful rolls at home, plus they'll get recipes for the exact same sushi my family has been making for our table for generations.
Experienced sushi makers can further expand their skills with advanced rolls and nigiri & sashimi. In these lessons I'm joined by Chef Hajime Sato of Mashiko - known for his irreverent and inventive takes on traditional sushi. He'll share fresh ideas and classic techniques so your sushi lover can make amazing rolls in their own kitchen!
 | Sample lesson with Hajime from The Art of Sushi Disc 2
How to Create Spider Rolls
To learn how to make & season the rice, cook the crab, choose a knife and more -
you'll have to watch the whole DVD of course! |
And to make these authentic recipes, they may need a few new culinary tools and specialty ingredients - fortunately I make it easy for you with my fully equiped sushi making kits. They'll have everything needed to start making delicious sushi rolls on their own!
If you are a visual learner, these cooking DVDs and kits make a great reference and educational tool for learning new cooking skills. The Art of Sushi - bringing authentic Japanese sushi techniques to the home cook!
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Food for Thought
Book Recommendations by Marlene Bosanko
| |  The Vintage Caper
Alfred A. Knopf, 2009 By Peter Mayle
The chilly weather suggests it's time to curl up by the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book. I heartily recommend Peter Mayle's mystery/suspense novel, A Vintage Caper. It delights, entertains, and informs readers about French wines most connoisseurs will only dream of tasting.
Set in L.A., the story revolves around Danny Roth, a Hollywood mogul who has the expected accoutrements for his station in life: a blonde trophy wife, a thriving business, and a three-story mansion in a gated, high-security community in the Hollywood hills that includes socially impressive accessories like art, cars, and fine wardrobes. Of all his earthly treasures, the flamboyant Roth is most proud of his vast cellar, hinted to be the "best" private cellar in town. He deems it worth about $3 million, although he only insures it for $2.3 million. Surprisingly, the cellar has no security system.
Roth enjoys flaunting his accomplishments and bathing in the glow of compliments, so he choreographs business and private events where he can be the sun in his self-created universe. Roth engineers a strategic full-page weekend news article about his cellar with photographs, and it goes international. Accolades come thundering in, sending Roth's self worth off the charts. After a Holiday vacation in Aspen, the newly crowned "wine guy" returns home to discover the theft of 500-600 bottles of his finest French wines.
The insurance company concludes it's likely a professional job and calls in Sam Levitt, refined former thief turned good guy, to aid their investigator. Once Sam is on board, the search takes place on both sides of the ocean. There is enough fine dining and wine sampling to make readers salivate on the page, and there is enough intrigue, cross, and double cross to keep readers on the edge of their seats as the story unfolds. The characters and story are too good to say more, and the ending is perfect. |
Community Calendar
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 Osechi Ryori on sale through December 16, 2011
Support the Oregon Nikkei Endowment and enjoy traditional Japanese New Year's foods (osechi ryori) prepared by our Nikkei community cooks, displayed in a three-tiered lacquer box (jubako). The jubako will include traditional foods, such as nishime, kimpira gobo, and makizushi, as well as treats from the Pacific Northwest.
The cost is $130 for the entire osechi ryori (or $100 if you provide your own jubako), of which $60 is tax-deductible. Your order will be available for pick-up on Saturday, December 31, 2011 (time TBD). If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact Oregon Nikkei Endowment at 503-224-1458.
 Holiday Swag-Making Event!
Time: Saturday, Dec 3rd from 9am-12pm
Location: U-District Farmers Market: Corner of 50th & University Way NE
Get into the holiday spirit with greens from the Cedar River Watershed. Come let your creative side out and get your swag on! The market will have ornaments, wire, cutters, and the greens. Your bring family, friends, and gloves. Complimentary hot beverages!
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