Osechi-ryōri

Written by: adekun on 2 January, 2007 2:24 am - Filed under: blog — No Comments »

Traditionally prepared the in final few days of the year, osechi was eaten over the first three days of the New Year. During those days it was taboo to cook.
Although a modest pair of boxes below, these cost ¥10,000 (£50) a piece.

Tags: food and drink

Bass, Benriach and the ins & outs of crochet

Written by: adekun on 26 December, 2006 11:43 pm - Filed under: blog — No Comments »

A friend of the mother-in-law asked us all to visit yesterday. Her two twin daughters were back from Tokyo. On the premise of an afternoon of absorbing converse, I brought with me a crochet hook and a ball of wool. I made a trip around the corner to the local sake shop, just to be sure. There, to my surprise I found a few bottles of Bass. In the UK this would be quite a way down the pecking order. Over here it is a different matter. The price was reasonable too, about that of the usual “premium” beers.
Between dishes of nimono, I got some needlework tuition whilst my wife received a massage. It’s has been about fifteen years since I tried to crochet and was pleased to receive the help. If I can get the hook facing the correct way and a consistent tension, I might be able to fashion a hat for Kento.
The beer was superb, better than any of the draught pints I have had in the past. My opinion of a bland, indifferent beer was quickly washed away. It had flavours, colour and depth. I am evidently missing British beer. I topped myself up with a magnum bottle of Asahi Super-Dry whilst attempting to remedy a Japanese Blue Screen of Death on our host’s laptop. I did enjoy myself, and it was soon time to go home.
Once back, the drinking continued making a noticeable impression was made upon the bottle of Benriach I’d brought a few days ago. I feel fortunate today, that my mini binge hasn’t left me with a hangover.

Tags: food and drink

Xmas dinner

Written by: adekun on 24 December, 2006 12:49 pm - Filed under: blog — 2 Comments »

Christmas has come early and a good job too, since everybody is at work on the big day. We had kani shabu-shabu (crabs dipped in boiling water) for dinner. Afterwards a typical Japanese Christmas cake. A sponge cake with lots and lots of cream.

Tags: food and drink

Xmas BBQ

Written by: adekun on 23 December, 2006 8:22 am - Filed under: blog — No Comments »

The weather was good, so it was decided that we would be having a BBQ for lunch. The in-laws were already out shopping and I was expected to have the coals ready on their return. I would have liked to have taken my time, but relented and used an odd fire-lighter that was recovered from the garage. The mother-in-law got a bag of shiitake, whilst her sister got the meat. This cut of Japanese beef cost ¥6000 about £30.

Tags: food and drink

Cup sake

Written by: adekun on 18 December, 2006 2:00 pm - Filed under: blog — No Comments »

Despite getting the worst of headaches, I’ve taken to nihonshu.

400W 1 minute 10 seconds
500W 1 minute
600W 50 seconds

Tags: food and drink

Crabs

Written by: adekun on 27 November, 2006 7:59 am - Filed under: blog — No Comments »

Around the start of the month, the crab season begun. On the first day, I was watching a report on the TV. As the camera panned, the prices started to increase. ¥680 at first, then ¥2000, finishing up at ¥20000 (£100) a piece. The later, being matsue bakani (bagane). The prices begin to fall after the first day.
This cheaper, tasty trio from Canada cost ¥5000.

Tags: food and drink

HiHighs

Written by: adekun on 29 October, 2006 8:19 am - Filed under: blog — 1 Comment »

Felt pretty rough this morning after last night’s jaunt. Heard there was a gathering of gaijin. It turned out to be a Halloween fancy dress party at HiHighs nightclub. ¥1500 got you entry and a drink, thereafter ¥500 a pop. The beer cans were served up by the most obnoxious Filipinas. Got to meet a few people, but it wasn’t the place to chat. Pretty glad with both decided to cut and run, early on.
Still hot a the moment, I guess early twenties? Ended up having a barbecue. Once I teased out the slugs, had the Shiitake as pictured on the previous post.
Rather pooped, feel to old to go out ‘clubbing’

Tags: food and drink