All posts filed under: Lunch

Onigiri

Onigiri is a rice ball made from white “sticky” rice. Typically they are in a triangular or cylindrical shape. You can find onigiri wrapped in nori seaweed (the same kind of seaweed used for sushi rolls), filled with umeboshi (pickled plum), or filled with things liks salmon, pickled fruit or vegetables, dried foods, tempura, pork or other kinds of fish. You can also spread miso paste like Marukome Ryotei No Aji on top and fry in a skillet or just mix in rice seasoning like JFC Nori Komi Furikake. You can also make onigiri sandwiches and yaki onigiri which are grilled rice balls. I will be attempting this at a later date. While in Japan, for breakfast, along with miso soup, we ate rice balls. During my miso soup lesson with my grandmother, we made rice balls. They are very easy to make and delicious. I used Nishiki Medium Grain white “sticky” rice and any Nori Roasted Seaweed Sheets will do. I prepared my rice using a rice cooker by first rinsing the rice. To …

Miso Soup

Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup made of dashi stock and miso paste. My grandmother adds in extra firm tofu and wakame (dried seaweed). Some people use spinach instead of wakame, or mushrooms with the tofu, or top with scallions. There are many variations and kinds of miso soup. There are also different kinds of miso. Read more about the different types here. I used Marukome Boy Ryotei No Aji Miso Paste which you can find in Asian markets. Ryotei No Aji contains a Dashi broth. Most other miso pastes do not have this broth cooked into the paste, but rather, need it added during the cooking process. I could not find the Genkai wakame my grandmother uses so I used Wel-Pac Fueru Wakame. Unless you know your supermarket carries a variety of tofu, you might want to pick some up at the Asian market. My supermarket only had Mori-Nu Silken Tofu. The amount of miso paste you use is based on your own preference. I love the flavor of miso paste so I use …

Meal Replacement Smoothies

These smoothies taste great and leave you feeling satisfied. Banana Nut Bread Smoothie Ingredients 1 Cup Light Vanilla Soy Milk 2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract 1 Cup Ice 1 Small Banana 1/4 Cup Walnuts Directions In a blender, add milk, walnuts, and ice. Chop for a few seconds. Add in banana and vanilla. Blend. If too thick add more milk. For more sweetness add more vanilla. Approximate Calories: 374 Blueberry Banana Nut Bread Smoothie Ingredients 1 Cup Light Vanilla Soy Milk 2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract 1 Cup Ice 1 Cup Frozen Blueberries 1 Small Banana 1/4 Cup Walnuts Directions In a blender, add milk, walnuts, and ice. Chop for a few seconds. Add in banana, vanilla, and blueberries. Blend. If too thick add more milk. For more sweetness add more vanilla. Approximate Calories: 454