Kasutera (Castella) Cake
Kasutera is an old-fashoned Japanese yellow sponge cake which was originally brought to Japan from Portugal in the 16th century. Over the...
Yakimochi (grilled rice cake)
My brother sends me blocks of mochi packaged individually every year as part of Christmas & New Year's gifts. Traditionally, we eat mochi...
Tai-yaki pancakes to celebrate happy occasions
Tai-Yaks (たい焼き) is a fish-shaped pancake filled with sweet azuki (red bean) paste. "Tai" (sea beam/porgy) is coinsidered auscicious and...
Purple sweet potatoes and chestnuts
I made a Japanese traditional sweet potato dessert called chakin-shibori (chakin=a cloth used for the tea ceremony, shibori=squeeze,...
The Joys of Ginger.
It is no secret that ginger is popular throughout East Asia and beyond. It is one of our favorite ingredients and we love it not only for...
What is Matcha?
Matcha is perhaps the most refined tea available on the market today. From the unique way it is produced to the important place it holds...
