True Hollyfood Story

No Paparazzi, no Opening Galas…you hardly see her name on the Marquee. In my opinion, she’s the most underrated actress in Hollyfood, the capital of Foodbiz and Menu Stars. My heart goes out to this talented, veteran actress who’s often described as an albino carrot on steroids. Most actresses would find this sort of claim despicable and hire a publicist to restore their image…but she’s not your average actress.

She comes from the noble family of Radish, and according to some biographers, her roots (no pun intended) can be traced back to the Mediterranean and has a long history. Her humbleness and grace distance her from fame and fortune, but her presence can never be ignored. Who am I talking about? She’s none other than ...the great Ms. Rooty Daikon.

Some have never heard of her, but have seen her in many Japanese meals. That’s because, although her ability to perform is wide-ranged, many of her roles are as a supporting actress. Perhaps one of the most notable performances known worldwide, today, is her appearance in The Sashimi and I, where she plays a supporting actress opposite of Big Fat Tuna.


This production, with an all-star cast (Wendell Wasabi and Wanda Wakame), is a classic but if you happened to miss it, it’s still played at many Sushi bars near you. It’s about the life of a brilliant huntsman from the ocean named Sashimi (played by Big Fat Tuna), who gets caught in foul play and meets a beautiful nurse (played by Rooty Daikon ) from the land of fields. Despite the differences in their backgrounds and in the midst of a devastating situation, their love affair flourishes as they face a critical moment when being devoured by...Sashimi-loving Beings.

In this production, Daikon takes on the role of a Tsuma (つま), a sort of garnish that appears along side the main characters, that are usually played by raw fish and premium, seafood figures. The role of a Tsuma is not simply for decoration purposes; it also has significant importance. Some of Tsuma’s functions include stimulating the appetite, complementing the taste and many others. The role and function of Tsuma is so vital that according to one theory, it is said to have derived from the word Tsuma (妻), which means Wife in Japanese. I don't think this is old-fashioned...nobody exists alone and we all have a role and meaning in life, don't we?

Her raw performance was remarkable as a supporting actress and Big Fat Tuna became a worldwide sensation. Many didn’t seem to understand or recognize her role, but to her credit, among several nominations, she won the Best Supporting Actress and the People’s Digestive Awards.

Despite other strong nominees for the Best Supporting Actress Award, including the old-time favorite, Wanda Wakame (who, by the way, also played the role of Tsuma - garnish), Rooty Daikon won the award. Her unarguably beautiful, pearly and pure performance made Big Fat Tuna really stand out and sparkle to his maximum potential, and helped him gain the lavish fame and stardom that he enjoys today. On a side note, Wendell Wasabi won the Best Supporting Actor in this production.

The People’s Digestive Award recognized Rooty Daikon for her digestive enzymes, which help dissolve the protein and fats from Big Fat Tuna. According to critics, one of the enzymes, called diastase, is known to help digestion and dissolve accumulated fat and guess what, even mucus deposits (yuck), prompting her to win this prestigious award. It is this extraordinary, god-gifted talent that makes her a popular supporting actress and although her career is wide-ranged, her raw performance, in this type of role, is second to none.

She also performs, raw, yet again, in another successful production called The Saga of Oroshi. It’s so successful that there are spin-offs of this production. Unlike the shredded character she plays as a Tsuma, she shows up grated (easier for the average Joe, as it takes years & technique to perfect the shredded version), in this one. Once again, she takes on a supporting role, playing opposite of big stars such as Tommy Lee Tempura and Sammy Salmon Jr. Her grated appearance allows her to play the role of a moist, soft character that catches the heart of many Daikon fans. Her small dab of presence turned out to be larger than life.


She, once again, won the People’s Digestive Award and also received special awards from various folk-medicine communities for her restorative functions. She’s been accredited for her regular appearance in raw, grated roles, by helping many to prevent the common cold and respiratory infections, and in even treating sore throats and edema. The Heavy Boozers League also recognize her for treating hangovers and in helping to cleanse the kidneys of many of their members.

Furthermore, her counter-obesity properties, as well as her ability to reduce the risk of cancer, have caught the attention of many. In a cancer-fighting sequel of The Saga of Oroshi, Daikon plays opposite of Sunny (Burnt) Sanma, who’s a renowned superstar in Japan Hollyfood. Sanma is famous for his dangerous stunt scenes, where he’s typically grilled over live fire. He doesn’t use any stunt doubles and often gets his skin heavily burnt. The folks love this and eat it up, but it’s said that the burnt fish skin can cause cancer. Once again, Rooty Daikon’s raw performance helps reduce this risk by offering all she’s got.


As you see in the photo, she’s covered with Shoyu (Soy Sauce). Shoyu gives her the taste and contrast she needs to make her performance more flavorful and dramatic. The variety and amount of Shoyu you use is your call, as the director, but no matter your choice, it will surely impart the kick you need in her overall performance.

To me, it’s Rooty Daikon’s performance in the sequel of The Saga of Oroshi that has captured my love for her. It’s her high-quality, raw performance that I value so much, and as an Independent Mealmaker, who has no ties with Hollyfood, by the way, I’d like to cast her as a leading actress in my next project, the Beauty and the Beef, utilizing her wonderful Oroshi character.


Beauty and the Beef

Basic Storyline
The lonely and heartbroken Prince Beef embraces the love of his life when he meets a pure, jewel of a Beauty. As the two unite deeper than the ocean floor and become inseparable, the Kingdom of Bowl achieves its solidarity, and renders a savory, yet therapeutic peace of mind to the folks who dine.

Cast Members
As previously stated, Beauty is going to be played by Rooty Daikon in her raw, grated (Oroshi) state. This role will be much larger, in size, compared to her other Daikon Oroshi roles.

As for the Beef, I’m seeking an actor who’s a big hunk of a steak. I’d cast either Sylvester Sirloin, Dwayne the Ribeye or Clint Tenderloin, whoever is available at the time and willing to work within the budget.


Another key role is white rice, without whom this story cannot be completed. Other cast members also include some sidekicks to add a touch of color. As for the white rice, it really depends on your preference, but I choose to work with Shorty Grain, the Japanese-style rice guy, for this production, simply because I’m used to working with him and he brings me results. Check out my Rice or No Dice posting.

And for the sidekicks, I think I’m going to cast the little guys who are related to Daikon. They’re known, in Japan, as Kaiware Daikon, but I think they go by their stage name, Daikon Sprouts, in the U.S. They're small and cute, but can give the scene an added touch and a little oomph to the taste. They've got a character of their own, let me tell you.


If you can’t cast them for whatever reason, don’t worry about it. We just have to do the best with who’s available. I’d give Slicey Garlic a call, just in case, or you can always contact the United Onion of Actors if you want. These guys are good and are always looking for a gig. They’re not as colorful but they are great substitutes and their fees are relatively low.

Sauce and seasoning
Whenever I cast Steak, he needs to go through the usual ritual. He's going to be soaked (tenderized) in Sake, for at least half an hour, followed by a salt & pepper treatment. Shoyu and Mirin will not be in contact with the Steak at this marinating stage. They will be involved in another scene, which consists of making a sauce called Oroshi Shoyu. Instead of using straight Shoyu, I prefer to use this sauce for this particular production.

To make the Oroshi Shoyu sauce, you need about a 1/2 cup of Shoyu, a 1/4 cup of Sake and a 1/4 cup of Mirin, 1 or 2 tablespoons of honey or sugar...almost like making a Teriyaki sauce (see the My Three Musketeers posting). Heat the Sake and Mirin in a sauce pan and mix in the honey or sugar. I usually add some grated garlic and a hint of lemon juice. Let it come to a boil and then add the Shoyu. As soon as it comes to a boil again, turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes or so. Turn off the heat and let it cool. Once cooled, place some grated Daikon, with some of its juice, into a small bowl and pour in the Shoyu mix. Adjust the mix and taste to your liking.


Stage Setting
The staging for this production is quite simple and doesn’t require an elaborate set. Nonetheless, for this particular production, it’s all about the staging. Our goal is to create a set that incorporates all the elements into one SETTING by utilizing an unsophisticated, yet very practical approach, called the Donburi-mono. Let’s expand a little on this concept because it’s quite practical, and good for those who are on the run but don't want to compromise...as much as possible.

In Japanese, a somewhat large-sized bowl is usually referred to as a Donburi (どんぶり) and is often used to serve rice in, with other ingredients added on top. Thus, the bowl generally has a depth to adequately accommodate one serving of rice along with additional stockpiles of food ingredients as the topping. The food ingredients are characterized as Mono (もの), or thing(s) in this case, thus the term Donburi-mono, or Don-mono for short.

In English, the term Rice Bowl is often used to describe this concept and I’m sure many of you are familiar with Beef and Chicken Teriyaki Bowls. Today, in Japan, the concept of Donburi-mono has rooted itself so deeply into Hollyfood culture, that many variations are available. We shall proceed to apply this widely, popular concept to our upcoming production, and take advantage of its cost/ labor-effective approach.

Production Side Notes
As simple as the setting is, our emphasis is on the two lead characters. I don’t want some old lady or critic asking me “Where’s the beef?”. Make sure your casting director understands this because you don’t want dinky, shriveled-up slices of beef showing up on the set. This is it…the Steak Bowl; not your average Beef Bowl as seen in numerous Mall Food Courts. Be sure to get a high-caliber performer, as mentioned earlier, to star in your production. There should be no compromising in terms of the lead characters.

Make sure the rice and steak are prepared, and ready for action. The Daikon Sprouts just need a quick shower so they are on stand-by. The grating of Rooty Daikon must take place at the very end. Once she is grated, she tends to start loosing her enzymes. If you grate her roughly, she can be a little bitter. If you want her to be less bitter, treat her gently and grate softly, in a circle...but go rough if you like bitter...different strokes for different folks. Also, when she's grated, you’ll end up with some juice. DO NOT DISCARD the juice. Pour the juice into a cup and share it with the production crew. It'll help crew members who are suffering from the common cold and…hangovers! Ha!

Okay, folks, I think we’re ready…Action!


Beauty and The Beef (Theme Song - you don't have to sing like Celine)

Root as old as time
Pure as it can be
In every little sense
The unity ascends
Extraordinarily

Steak-Donburi with Oroshi Daikon
More accurately, this could be categorized as Steak-Don with Oyako Daikon. Oyako means parent & child...but, we'll talk more about this in the future.

The whole idea of Donburi-mono is to enjoy rice topped with various food ingredients. It's not supposed to be fancy or sophisticated. It’s what I call the One Bowl, One Meal dish. It fills you up and you’re ready to go. But more importantly, the combination of steak and grated, raw daikon, is pretty awesome.

As a meat lover, I truly depend on the hospitality of my beloved raw, grated Daikon. As a quick summary, the Daikon root is abundant in digestive enzymes such as the diastase, amylase and esterase that help digest and breakdown carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Also, the bacteria-inhibiting enzyme of diastase, combined with Vitamin C, contained in Daikon, helps prevent the common cold, flu and respiratory infections. The enzymes are said to help dissolve mucus and phlegm in the respiratory system and assist in their discharge from the body. And, may I remind you, that Daikon, not only helps prevent, but also treats sore throats, and yes...hangovers! Again, I also read somewhere that it cleanses the kidney, too. Not that I believe everything I read but hey, she’s not referred to as the Great Root (大根) for nothing. So, be sure to take advantage of her and stay healthy this holiday season.

Although I’m a big fan of Rooty Daikon when she’s in her raw and grated outfits (Yeah… Sexy, Baby) I also love her in this clip of the classic flick, the Spy Who Pickled Me…where she, once again, plays somewhat of a side role as Steami'n Rice's secret lover, Takuan. In her pickled character, she's sweet and quite flavorful.


Whether her role requires her to be raw, pickled, stewed or dried, you can bet that Rooty Daikon does it with passion and pride. Spotlights and limo rides are not her style; all she wants is to make us healthy and smile. She surely deserves the recognition and credit, so let's all support her and lift up her spirits.

Surf & Turf Gone Asian

Let’s say I ate the Surf and Turf we know, seafood and steak, every, single day. As much as I love this mouth-watering duo, after a few days I’d probably be reaching for that bottle of Pepto-Bismol! But, because I like the idea of this combination so much, I explored the other end of the spectrum of Surf and Turf .

No Lobster and Steak combination, here. We’re talking about something much lighter and much less expensive. Bonito Flakes and Tofu, at your service. That’s right! Bonito is the seafood. Tofu is a curd made from soybeans, and soybeans are often referred to as “the meat of the fields” in Eastern Asia.

Turf – Tofu (豆腐)
How about we keep this segment short and concentrate on the “the meat of the fields” portion. Yeah, meat! Beef! Now, that’s what I’m talking about…whoa!…getting carried away, here! I do apologize, folks. Sometimes I forget that a huge slab of perfectly cooked cow is not conducive to the overall health of this aging body. Ahem! Moving on now, what I meant by short is that I won’t waste your time talking about Tofu or Soybeans, per se. Your on-line resources are bountiful in that regard and will do more justice than what I can do for you in this post.

According to some sources, agricultural scientist/ professor Friedrich Haberlandt (1826-1878) obtained some varieties of soybean seeds at the Vienna World Exposition in 1873, which happens to be the first world exhibition in a German-speaking country, with 35 countries participating, 53,000 exhibitors and attended by over 7.25 million visitors during its 6-month run! I think that’s pretty awesome, even by today’s standards!

It’s not clear if he is the one who coined the phrase “the meat of the fields”, as some claim, but he did seem to refer to the nutrient-rich soybean as a diet source that could nourish a vast amount of humans, including the poor. There are some who say that Prof. Haberlandt may have gotten his hands on a French-language leaflet, on Soy, that was written by a Chinese person (http://www.soyinfocenter.com/). If indeed he did, he may have discovered “the meat of the fields” mentioned in its text, as some claims report that the expression “the meat of the fields” or “the meat with no bones” comes from China, where the soybean was/ is highly regarded.

Now, there are different types of Tofu, but I usually use the water-packed, medium-firm House brand because I’m accustomed to it and it’s readily available where I live. If you can’t find the water-packed (refrigerated) Tofu, there are boxed types like Morinu http://www.morinu.com/ that can be purchased on-line. Follow handling/ cooking instructions carefully, as they seem to differ somewhat to the water-packed type.

Surf – Bonito Flakes (鰹節)
This is a little long-winded, but hop on board and enjoy the journey.

The Fish
I don’t know if this is how it got it’s name, but it sure is a beautiful fish. Although smaller in size, the streamlined figure of this fish resembles its relative, the tuna. With a dark blue back and a silver belly, this Speedy Gonzales of the ocean even has oblique stripes that look like racing decals.

They are, for the most part, called Katsuo (鰹 or カツオ) in Japanese and boy, do they love to cruise. After spending a couple of years in Southern waters, they’re ready to take a road trip.

In January or so, they basically start to head north towards Japan and spend their Spring Break hitting the underwater Sushi bars, enjoying such favorites as cuttlefish, shrimp and other small fish, like sardines. So, it’s generally during Spring and Summer that you start to see this cool guy, at local fish markets, across Japan. Typically referred to as Hatsu-Gatsuo (初鰹), the Japanese are essentially greeted with the start of Summer by the season’s first catch of Katsuo. Hatsu means beginning and the word Katsuo, in this case, is read Gatsuo.

Although some return to southern waters, others head further north, joined by newly arriving cruisers and continue on towards the rally point to enjoy their Summer Break. By August, many make their return trip home, but the hardcore partiers continue northbound and finally reach the rally point – where the northbound Black Tide Highway or Kuroshio Current (Kuro=black and shio=tide or current) collides with the southbound Mother of all Tides or Oyashio Current.


This area of ocean is a hot destination for the cruisers. With the nutrient-rich (vital to the growth of phytoplankton) southbound current joining the mix, it’s the all-you-can-eat Las Vegas buffet for marine creatures. As Oya means parent(s), it’s a virtual nurturing and feeding ground for the underwater ecosystem.

Once the cruisers have enjoyed their gourmet experience in these cold waters, they start to make their return journey in the Fall. The Katsuo caught during this period is called Modori Katsuo (戻り鰹 or returning Katsuo) and after spending some time in one of the best cold-water dining spots around, these guys are nice and fatty. Oh, yeah…come to daddy!…umm…or to mama! Smile.

So, you can enjoy two, slightly distinctive tastes from the same fish, twice a year in Japan. The Katsuo caught during the Spring/ Summer have some amount of fat and the ones caught in Fall are even fattier. There's often a debate about which tastes better, but...I like both! Ha! If you go to some decent, no-nonsense Sushi bar in Los Angeles, they serve fish flown in straight from Japan. Since Katsuo (in a broad sense – i.e., Skipjack, Katsuwonus pelamis, Eastern Pacific Bonito, Atlantic Bonito, etc.,) is also pretty much caught worldwide, I would guess that most Sushi restaurants just use the locally-supplied ones.

If you think that these Sushi restaurants exist only in large cities, with direct daily flights from Japan, just check out these guys in Denver, Colorado: http://www.sushiden.net/. As they claim on their web site, they go directly to the source! Their staff, in Japan, hand picks the best fish available from the fish markets, and within 22 to 26 hours, the catch is delivered to their restaurant in Denver. You can tell by reading their site, that they take their fish pretty, darn seriously. If you know of such a place, be sure to try the Katsuo-no-Tataki (seared Katsuo).

Katsuo-bushi
But, there’s another way to experience the taste of this swift, bon vivant, bad boy of the sea, anytime of the year. It’s called the Katsuo-bushi (鰹節 or カツオブシ). No, the word “Bushi” used here is not to be mistaken with the Japanese warrior or the Bushi (武士) who lives the Bushi-do (武士 “the warrior’s way”) way of life. But, interestingly enough, they do seem to have a connection. In the late 1500s, it’s said that Katsuo-bushi was used as a ration for battlefield warriors, due to its nutritional and preservative values. In fact, a military treatise, written during the Edo Period (1603-1867), basically suggests that all you need to take into combat are Mochi (sticky rice cake) and Katsuo-bushi.

Not only was Katsuo-bushi an excellent ration, it also served as an auspicious/ good-luck symbol due to its different connotation when written in different Kanji (Chinese Character). Katsuo-bushi (鰹節) can also be written as 勝男武士, which can, basically, be translated into:

(勝/ "Katsu") = Victorious
(男/ "O") = Man
(武士/ “Bushi”) = Warrior

So, what exactly is this Katsuo-bushi? Well, before it's turned into flakes, it looks like a slightly oversized, rotten banana that’s as stiff as a rock. Doesn’t sound too tasty, huh? Well, looks can be deceiving because this baby brings out the flavor in many Japanese dishes, both as an ingredient and a topping, and you wouldn’t be able to fully enjoy many of your favorite Japanese dishes without it. Guanrens Ballbarens (I guarantee)!

No one knows, for sure, how and when it got its name but some claim that the most reasonable explanation, perhaps, comes from it’s processing procedure. It’s been said, by some, that the name derived from such phrases as Katsuo-ibushi, which refers to the smoking action, or as Katsuo-boshi (鰹干し), referring to the drying action.

After chopping off its head and gutting it, the Katsuo is, typically, sliced into 3 major cuts, the 2 sides and the middle portion, which consists of bones and tail. Then, each side is sliced into half, separating the back and stomach portions, basically getting 4 blocks of meat from each fish because, remember, the middle portion is not the real meaty part, mostly the bones and tail. The 4 blocks (from the 2 sides) are, then, carefully boiled at the right temperature and then smoked to eliminate moisture.

After days of smoking action, the dried Katsuo-bushi is somewhat hardened and is called Ara-bushi (荒節). After this stage, to further enhance the dehydration, the planting and removal of a mold culture, to the dried Katsuo, is repeated a few times. This is combined with some sun-drying action during the hot, Summer months. This type of Katsuo-bushi is called the Kare-bushi (枯節). By this time, the blocks of Katsuo become much smaller in size and weigh 1/6 of its original form. The less-fatty Katsuo are said to be more suited for processing Katsuo-bushi.

It is often said that the Kansai area (Western Japan – where Osaka is) prefers the Ara-bushi and the Kanto area (Eastern Japan – where Tokyo is) prefers the Kare-bushi. Each has its attributes; Ara-bushi being stronger in flavor than the Kare-bushi. Due to its time-consuming process, the latter costs more. Once the Katsuo-bushi is hardened, a tool, similar to a wood plane, is used to shave the bonito into flakes.

As a kid, whenever the weather didn’t permit me to play outside, I’d often get stuck doing the shaving chore for my mom. These shaved flakes of Katsuo-bushi, along with Konbu (dried kelp), were typically used to make soup stock, or what is referred to as Dashi, to make Miso (fermented soybean) soup, stews and dips. This is how essential Katsuo-bushi is in preparing Japanese dishes - it’s been said that in the old days, the main chefs at high-end restaurants would always do the shaving, personally, to preserve the consistency and secret in their critical, Dashi-making process.

This chore wasn’t my favorite event of the day, but in return, I’d be rewarded with the fragrant aroma and taste of Katsuo-bushi in my meals. Unfortunately, it was one of those things that you just had to do each and every time. You couldn’t make a pile of flakes, to be used over time, because you’d lose the aroma, which is everything. Speaking of aroma, as soon as I’d start shaving the Katsuo-bushi, our cat would appear out of nowhere and start making its best moves on me. Yep, cats go crazy over this thing…as you can imagine.

Thanks to their research and development, in 1969, Ninben introduced shaved Katsuo-bushi in a special packet that retained the aroma. Ninben liberated me from shaving Katsuo-bushi and dealing with a selfish cat that only wanted to be buddies with me when I was engaged in this chore. I’m so grateful to them that I continue to use their brand today. Although, high-end Japanese restaurants still shave their own Katsuo-bushi, the average home cook now has the luxury (convenience) of just opening a packet!
It’s even sold on-line.

Surf and Turf
Tofu…check. Bonito (Katsuo-bushi) Flakes…check. Just make sure you get the finely shaved flakes for topping purposes. Some flakes are roughly shaved and often larger and thicker in size. These are, for the most part, used for soup stock and not as a topping. Don’t forget the green onions and ginger (see below)! Let’s see…eggs, flour and cooking oil are participants, as well. Oh, and My Three Musketeers (earlier post) need to be recruited, also...you'll see. Let’s roll!

Hiyayakko - Cold Tofu
Okay, this isn’t really cooking or anything. All you do is cut up the tofu and serve it on a dish, topped with Katsuo-bushi flakes and sliced green onions. Prior to cutting into the tofu, you need to drain the water. Here are a couple of ways I do it: the Old School way and what I call the Desperately Lazy Housewives way.

When going Old School, wrap up the Tofu in a couple of layers of paper towel (or clean kitchen cloth), place on a flat surface like a cutting board and apply a slight weight using another flat surface. Keep the base at a slight angle so the moisture flows downward. Change the paper towel/ kitchen cloth, as needed. How much moisture you want to get rid of depends on how you’re going to use the Tofu, but basically for Hiyayakko, I do about 5 to 10 minutes. Everyone has their own way/ style.

Now, for the Desperately Lazy Housewives version, make a cut just inside of the package, drain as much water as you can and then let it sit on the edge of the sink (the cut-side down). I don’t know if the package was designed with this in mind, but it sure fits and sits perfectly on our sink. Again, depending on the usage, let it sit/ drain for anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. I usually pour out the accumulated water after 5 minutes or so, and do another 5 minutes. After the draining action is done, take the Tofu out of the package and wipe off any remaining moisture.

As far as cutting the Tofu, it’s really up to you, but I like bite-sized cubes, myself. I usually serve up the Tofu on a cold plate with some grated Shouga (ginger). Prepared ginger, in a tube, is conveniently available and found in many Japanese grocery stores or on-line. I grate fresh ginger when I can, but this tube sure has me spoiled, I must admit.

I usually use just half a block, for the two of us, and store the other half in an airtight container with enough water covering the surface of the block, and stick it in the fridge. I change the water every day if I’m not going to use the leftover block of Tofu right away (next day). Although, I’ve found that it’s good to use up that Tofu within a couple of days.


Katsuo-bushi Coated Fried Tofu: To Dip or… version 1 (of 2)
For this dish, I spend a little more time draining the Tofu (more than the Hiyayakko). I slice up a whole Tofu block into 4 pieces and then use paper towels to suck those pieces dry.

Next, you need to make the Katsuo-bushi coating. Heat up a saucepan and get it really hot. Turn off the heat and pour Bonito flakes into the pan. Immediately, you’ll be greeted with the smoke and aroma of the Katsuo-bushi. Stir and mix so the flakes don’t stick to the saucepan. The idea is to get the flakes a little crispy, but not to burn them. You’ll be done in a matter of minutes. Let the flakes cool on a flat surface. I generally use 3 to 4 packs of flakes.

Now, beat up some eggs (about 3) like you’re going to make an omelet. I add a pinch each of salt and pepper, but that’s up to you. Get some flour into a separate bowl and you’re just about ready for the frying action. The star of this production, Tofu, is going to get some make-up done first, starting with the powder base. Place a piece of Tofu into the flour bowl and give her plenty of powder on every side. Be gentle, yet thorough; we don’t need to deal with a Diva tantrum at this stage.

After the powdering, she needs her egg treatment. Let her soak in the egg mix on all sides but be careful, she’s going to get very slippery and we don’t want any raw, egg-coated Tofu flying around the kitchen. Once she’s done with this, she needs to go into wardrobe. Cover her with the Katsuo-bushi and make sure she’s evenly coated, and comes out well-dressed. You’ll hear from her later, if she’s not.

Once all the girls are prepped, have them stand by for action on the set. Preheat (on medium) a pan with enough frying oil to cover the actresses. Slide a couple of them into the pan and let them do their part. Just let them fry for a while, turning them over on all sides until they turn a nice, dark-golden brown. Place them on a cooling rack and they’re ready!

Garnish with some sliced, green onions and grated ginger. You can use your favorite Shoyu (Soy Sauce) for dipping. I typically use Tamari Shoyu for my Tofu dishes, because unlike other types of Shoyu, Tamari has less or no soybean in its production
process (see Got Soy Sauce? post).

You can also make a sauce/ dip called Wari-Jyoyu, which is usually made with Shoyu, Dashi and Sake, to give the Shoyu a milder character, but for starters, there's other soy sauce-based seasoning available. One of them, which happens to be the wife's favorite, is called Ajipon, by Mitsukan. This citrus-seasoned soy sauce can be used in a wide variety of dishes. The wife goes absolutely berserk when we run out of this stuff. She uses it on just about everything. It goes especially well with Tofu dishes and...is available on-line, as well.


Katsuo-bushi Coated Fried Tofu: …or Not to Dip version 2 (of 2)
As many of us know, Tofu can be quite tasteless. People eating Tofu, for the first time, may scratch their heads and question the sanity of those who just love it. They may not succeed in making Tofu palatable, and thus lose interest in this wonderfully, nutritious and can-be-tasty food.

Of course there are tons of recipes out there, that make Tofu palatable and delicious. I’ll just share with you a version, of the above fried tofu dish, that gives the girls a little more flavor from the get-go.

This is NOT a traditional or authentic Japanese-food-preparation method. This is just something I came up with. I soak the Tofu in a marinade after it’s been drained. My Three Musketeers have a role to play, here.

The marinade? – Equal proportions of Shoyu and water. But, for those of you who’ve been following this blog, you know that I’m not going to settle…I mean about the water. I usually replace the water with Sake. I’m not trying to make a Teriyaki marinade, here, but I even add a tiny bit of Mirin. This may be a good way to give first-timers a taste of Japanese cooking flavors. So, after marinating the Tofu for about 30 minutes, let the girls go through the make-up process and the rest is the same.


You’ll definitely end up with fried Tofu that has some taste to it. Let me tell you, the wife doesn’t dip when I make it this way. The green onions, and especially the ginger, give it all the flavor it needs…or is she just getting old? Oh, by the way, if you end up with some leftover egg mix, scramble it up for a side dish. We try not to waste anything here at survival home cooking.


Now, I’m not saying that you should, but I think I’ll just relegate that bottle of Pepto-Bismol to the back of my medicine cabinet, until a steak and lobster combo comes calling my name.

Rock-a-bye Salmon

Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s time to eat some fish. Introducing the world’s easiest way to cook fish…the Hoiru-Yaki. You probably know what Yaki means by now (for those of you don’t, it means to grill or to cook in Japanese) but what the heck is Hoiru? Yes, it’s one of those classic cases of, what I refer to as, a Japanese-English term that comes from the English word foil, as in aluminum foil. We're going to take advantage of this multi-purpose, amazingly popular stuff, maximize the consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids from the fish and reap the awesome benefits of Shiitake. In addition, you’ll minimize the ordeal of dealing with the aftermath of cooking.

Hoiru-Yaki
The application of aluminum foil, in outdoor and indoor cooking, is a common practice for its functionality, as well as for its convenience, and when the Japanese use this method to cook fish, it is often referred to as Sakana-no Hoiru-Yaki (which translates into something like fish cooked in aluminum foil). For a country that is accustomed to eating so many varieties and quantities of fish, this method can be very practical.

The meat or flesh of some types of fish is so delicate/ fragile, that it can be very challenging, especially for unskilled beginners, to cook or grill nicely without it breaking apart. Of course, the fish is still edible, even if it falls apart, but its presentation will be something to be desired. The use of aluminum foil can definitely help to solve this problem and make a fish lover’s life that much easier. Besides, cooking this way will help us to contain the Omega-3 fatty acids. So, it’s not only easier and easy on the eyes, but it can be healthier, too.

Salmon Power
Salmon is known as the king of fish oil. Yes, the good fats! We’re talking Omega-3s, which, by the way, has nothing to do with the acclaimed watchmaker. I don’t know how effective Omega-3s are for a broken heart, induced by a love affair turned sour, but they are noted for their role in preventing heart problems. In recent years, you’ve read and heard about how eating fish may reduce the risk of dying from a heart attack. Did you know, however, that it’s more about the type of fish...fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel (which are more abundant in Omega-3s) that should be spotlighted.

The cut we are using is the cross-section slice of the salmon, usually called the steak, or some may prefer the fancier term, darne of salmon. Yep, when asked what’s for dinner, instead of just answering FISH! you can say something like darne de saumon avec des champignons de Shiitake. Sorry if I didn’t write this correctly (I never took French) but doesn’t it give it a real gourmet image? No? Okay, let’s move on.

Anyway, this cut is nice and firm and it doesn’t break into pieces easily, making it suitable for cooking on the barbeque grill. Very tempting for me…but our mission, here, is to contain the fatty acids of the fish, so aluminum foil, it is! You can mosey
on over to my Grill for the Thrill post for some grilling action.

The Shiitake
For those of you who are not familiar with this word, it’s pronounced She-Tah-Ke (as in "Eh? Can’t hear you"…not Key). Sounds too foreign? Then, how about the name used in the science or medical world - Lentinus edodes or Lentinula edodes? NO CAN DO? Perhaps this is why it’s also called Black Mushrooms, Japanese Forest Mushrooms or simply Japanese Mushrooms.

The name derives from the Japanese word Shiitake(椎茸). Shii (椎) refers to the Shii Tree (Castanopsis or Quercus cuspidate) which the mushrooms (茸) are cultured on.

According to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), this native mushroom of Asia is now the 2nd most commonly cultivated, edible mushroom in the world. There’s a very good reason for its popularity. It not only tastes good, but the nutritional benefits of this mushroom are just heroic! It’s sort of like, “It’s a medicine…It’s a food…It’s SuperShroom!”…for real! In terms of its nutritional benefits, Shiitake are known to reduce cholesterol, strengthen the immune system, activate your blood, and so on.

I think Kenneth Jones, a medical writer specializing in medicinal plants, sums it up pretty nicely – Shiitake: The Healing Mushroom (which is the title of his book, by the way). If you’re interested in learning more, there’s a smorgasbord of information, on this amazing mushroom. For health-related food topics, I do a lot of surfing on The World’s Healthiest Foods at www.whfoods.com.

Shiitake’s popularity has surely grown and it is widely available today…whew! When shopping for Shiitake mushrooms, you can either buy them fresh or dried.

Fresh Shiitake
They are very porous, like a sponge and absorb liquid quickly (especially the underside of the cap where the gills are) so don’t expose them to water too much. Some people just wipe the surface with a damp cloth or paper towel. I usually rinse them very quickly with tap water while singing my Shiitake song. “Ohh, who lives in a forest under the trees Shroombob Roundhat. Absorbent and tasty and nutritious is he Shroombob Roundhat” – and I don’t even have rug rats (kids).

Dried Shiitake
Just because you can’t find fresh ones, don’t think that you have to settle for dried ones and get discouraged. Dried Shiitake, that have been sun-dried, are richer in Vitamin D than the fresh ones, due to the exposure to ultraviolet rays. But not all dried Shiitake, sold today, are dried under this natural condition, so look for a brand that says Sun-Dried. Typically, sun-dried Shiitake Mushrooms are more expensive than non-sun-dried ones.

In Japan, dried Shiitake mushrooms are generally categorized into 3 varieties. Donko (冬茹 or どんこ), Koshin (香信) and Kouko (香茹).

Donko
Donko is the variety that is typically picked early, before the caps open, making them look bulky and thick. When this closed-cap Donko variety is sun-dried, it is considered to be the highest grade of Shiitake and is said to have the most medicinal value.

Koshin
The Koshin variety, on the other hand, has an opened cap that resembles an umbrella in use. The caps are often much thinner than the Donko variety and perhaps falls into the more common grade of Shiitake.

Kouko
Finally, the Kouko variety has big, thick caps and falls in between the other two varieties. Because it has the unique attributes of both Donko and Koshin, it is a common gift item in Japan.

For our featured dish, we’ll stick to the common Koshin variety, but if you can’t find whole, dried Shiitake mushrooms, a pre-sliced version will work, too.

Mushroom CPR
Before cooking dried Shiitake mushrooms, we need to revive them and perhaps the best way is to reward them with a special holiday package. If it’s a sunny day, let them hit the sun deck. By doing this, they will reward you back with supercharged Vitamin D. After they enjoy the sun (give them at least 30 minutes to 2 hours) they need to take a quick shower. Followed by the rinsing action, it is time for a dip in the pool and let the rehydration treatment begin.

Soak the dried Shiitake mushrooms in cold water. They tend to float to the top, so weight (plastic bowl or something) them down, to keep them submerged. Depending on the size, I’d soak them for at least 5 hours. Although we’re not going to use the stems for this dish, they usually require more time to reconstitute, and the same goes for the Donko variety, due to its thickness.

Many people even soak the dried Shiitake mushrooms, overnight, in the fridge. You’ll get better results this way, keeping the savoriness of the mushrooms intact, but if you're in a hurry, soak in lukewarm water with a pinch of sugar for about 40 minutes (1 hour in the case of the Donko variety). Some people use hot water or microwave oven to expedite the process, but patience is truly a virtue, here. Whether you soak them overnight or use lukewarm water, what is important, is to make sure that the dried Shiitake mushrooms are fully reconstituted.

Once they are fully revived and refreshed after their holiday package, they are ready to go to work. Place them in a strainer and have them stand by for action. By the way, whatever you do, don’t discard the water that the dried Shiitake was soaked in. It’s full of good stuff. I usually use it in Miso soup but some people drink it, especially when it’s been used to soak the Shiitake in overnight, in the fridge. I wouldn’t drink the mushroom-soaked water of just any brand, though. Let’s just say that, personally, I’d have to be comfortable with the brand/ grower of the Shiitake I use.

Rock-a-bye Salmon...
Okay, now that we have our salmon and Shiitake ready, let’s roll. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. In the meantime, let’s work on the platform. When using regular aluminum foil, I usually use two sheets for extra strength but if you have Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil, one sheet will work just fine.

Spray or apply some cooking oil on the aluminum foil where the salmon is going to be placed. If you love butter, I have a better way. Cut a few slices of butter and 2~3 slices of onions. On a large sheet of aluminum foil, line up the butter slices in a single file, starting from the mid-center of the sheet. Place the sliced onions sideways on top of the butter. This will be the sleeping platform for the salmon so try to make its bed nice and even. Personally, I like the combination of butter and Shiitake, but you can always
do it without the butter, and just place the onions on
the sprayed–on cooking oil.

Salt the salmon (and black pepper if you like) on both sides and this baby is ready to be tucked in. Lay the salmon down onto its bed and cover it with a blanket of Shiitake mushrooms. In this case, I'm using fresh Shiitake. As an option, you can add broccoli and/ or carrots into the mix. Once all the elements are in place, fold and form the aluminum foil so it covers all the ingredients, creating a cradle-like pouch.

Before sealing the opening, I add one more thing – Sake
(visit the My Three Muskateers post). I usually pour in about a 1/2 cup of Sake to join the cause. I do this not only to enhance the flavor, but it also provides me with a reference to timing.When sealing the foil, don't make the pouch too tight and allow some space for the salmon to breath. The sides or the skin of the salmon can stick to the foil.

Once the aluminum pouch is placed into the oven, the smell of evaporating Sake gives me an idea of where it stands in the cooking process. When I start to sense the evaporating smell of Sake, the steaming action has commenced. Let it steam for a little more and slightly pop open the oven door and you’ll be greeted with a strong, tangy odor that stings your nose.

Typically, this takes place 30 to 40 minutes later from the time you placed the aluminum pouch into the preheated oven. Eventually, this distinctive tang will settle down and turn into a fragrant aroma based on the harmony of Sake, Shiitake and butter. You’ll also notice a nice sizzling or searing sound, coming from all the ingredients tucked nicely inside that aluminum cradle.

Enjoy this harmony of flavors for a few more minutes and take it out of the oven to check the status. If the salmon looks nice and white, it’s pretty much done. But typically, I put it back into the oven one more time…this time with the aluminum foil unsealed, for another 5 minutes or so, to slightly brown the salmon. I do this because the wife likes it this way, but it boils down to your preference. When doing this extra process, I normally put aside the Shiitake Mushrooms to allow the entire topside of the salmon to brown.

Once cooked, garnish with fresh chives. Add some Shoyu or Soy Sauce (check out my Got Soy Sauce? post), lemon or whatever seasoning you like if you want more flavor, but before you do so, sample a piece of salmon with a bit of Shiitake first and let that taste register into your brain for future reference.


As far as the exact time in which it is required to fully cook the salmon really depends on its size, thickness, cut, the type of oven you’re using, and other variables (i.e. amount of Sake, etc.,). Although I generally let it cook for 45 to 55 minutes in my 500-degree oven, I usually depend heavily on my ears and nose (the nose, knows), rather than on my clock. After a while, you’ll be able to tell when it’s ready by smelling, hearing and/ or looking at it. Even then, the outcome may differ each time, but hey, as long as you make the effort, strive for what you want, and put your heart and soul into it, you’re the winner…aluminum foil or not.

As far as the dried Shiitake Mushrooms go, I sliced them up and decorated the salmon with them, prior to cooking. When sharing the dish, sliced Shiitake obviously works better and is often easier to eat. Also, if salmon skin turns you off, remove it after cooking. It peels off easily enough. Personally, I think this is the best part. I cook the skin (separately) just a tad longer to make it nice and crispy. And, of course, you can always plate this fish concoction if eating off aluminum foil is not your style.



Aluminum foil is awesome but I wonder if you can use it to make Origami. Hey, look at this, I guess you can. I mean, I haven't made an Origami Crane since I was a kid and I've certainly never made one with aluminum foil! Oh, well, maybe it's not a perfect crane but...close enough. In any case, a tribute to the one and only - aluminum foil. AND, a big kanpai (cheers) to the merits of Salmon and Shiitake.

Ramen - Not Just Chow, but a State of Mind

When you ask the average Japanese person what Ramen (ラーメン) is, you could get a reply that goes something like this; Ramen is a Japanese soup noodle that originated in China. Hmm…then why not just call it Chinese soup noodle? Well, actually, it used to be called Shina Soba, which literally translates into China noodle.

Then, sometime after WWII, some scholars, and people with certain political views, decided it wasn’t politically correct to use the word Shina when referring to China. Apparently, they believed that it had a discriminatory connotation to it.

Thus, terms such as Chugoku or Chuka, which mean center of the world, supposedly became the proper language to use when referring to China. So, people had to say Chugoku Soba or Chuka Soba instead, and the familiar term of Shina Soba became socially unacceptable for some. This term sort of got pushed to the back burner.

This did not sit well with some folks, including restaurant owners. I mean, can you imagine? All of a sudden, you can’t say Hotdog, for whatever reason, and instead you had to refer to it as, for instance, Frankfurters in a bun. It’s kind of like, “Hey, lets go get some Frankfurters in a bun!” Talk about needing time to adjust!

The Name Game
Okay, so, how did Ramen get its current name, then? There are a few hypotheses about the etymology (the study of the origin/ history of words) and often becomes a topic of heated debates. Personally, I tend to go with the theory that claims it came from the Chinese word Lamian (拉麺), which basically refers to a noodle-making method, where you pull the noodles with your hands (or the type of noodle made by this method). Many think this is the most credible explanation, but then again, others have different views and opinions.

As far as when the word Ramen made its debut, again, there are different claims and I don’t think anyone really knows, for sure. But, I recently came across one that I never heard before. According to this claim, in 1950, a few years after the name-changing incident, a renowned Japanese publication, for housewives, published a book featuring Western and Chinese cooking. I assume this is when folks were still trying to get used to the transition saying, “Can I have an order of Shi…I mean, Chuka Soba?” In this publication, the term Ramen was featured as the Japanese reading/ pronunciation of the Chinese word Lamian. Boom!

Thanks to the power of the media, the term Ramen spread like wildfire in a dry, windy forest. Speaking of media, there’s no more powerful medium than the word of mouth. And, I think that women are bar-none when it comes to spreading the word, if you know what I mean. It’s a compliment, ladies! The timing in which, the way it reached the masses (Japanese housewives) and the consistency with the etymology that many support, in my opinion, gives this claim some traction. Also, it's worth noting that, similar to how the GIs who returned home, from Italy, with a taste for Pizza after WWII, I imagine many Japanese soldiers, who spent time in China, had a great appreciation for this Chinese-style soup noodle.

Again, this is just my interpretation and besides, personally, how and when Ramen got its name is not my main concern here, as long as I can enjoy a nice bowl of it, every now and then. Nonetheless, it is interesting, how this soup noodle dish evolved.

The Art of Adaptation
As the number of Chinese folks increased across the port cities of Japan and formed their own, small communities (often referred to as China Town, today) in the late 1800s, restaurants (perhaps more like stands/stalls) that catered to them appeared, as well. After a while, local Japanese started to challenge this foreign cuisine. Some adjustments, such as adding Shoyu (Soy Sauce) and other ingredients/ toppings, that were familiar to the Japanese, were needed to make it more appealing to the locals.

It’s sort of like how Sushi got Americanized, with local creations such as California Rolls. As the popularity of this soup noodle grew, so did its styles and variations. Many different regions, cities and towns came up with their own versions, often equipped with their original soup bases, noodles and toppings, which typically consisted of fresh, local ingredients and specialties.

I mean we're not talking about just New York and Chicago-style pizzas. How about adding San Diego, Dallas, Springfield, Miami, Georgetown and many others to the list of pizza styles. Basically, that’s what the modern Ramen scene, in Japan, boils down to. Some people are so obsessed with Ramen. I mean, I've read about people who travel around Japan just to taste some of the local varieties. There are those who actually look forward to business trips because they're scheduled to visit a certain area known for its Ramen. And, talk about the intensity, of Japanese blogs and websites, devoted entirely to this subject.

So, here’s the deal. Although the original concept came from China, I believe it evolved and got adapted into the local food scene; it sort of mutated into another form of dish, as a spin-off, if you will, and became Ramen, as we refer to it today. So there is some truth to the definition – Ramen is a Japanese soup noodle that originated in China, but at the same time, some will give you a much deeper explanation. I'm not a Ramen fanatic, but for some, they really mean business.

Today in Japan, the term Chuka Soba (中華そば) is still used. One often comes across restaurants in Japan with Chuka Soba banners, instead of Ramen banners. According to many, these two basically mean the same thing, but the difference is in the history and in some cases, the region. Perhaps the term Chuka Soba provides a sense of nostalgia and distinguishes itself from the modern version - Ramen. If you’re ever in Japan, you can stop by one of these Chuka-Soba-bannered shops and make your own comparison.

Whatever the truth is behind this intricate dish, I suppose it can provide us with something to talk about while standing in a long line, waiting to be seated at a popular Ramen shop on a Friday night (I hate it when there's nothing to talk about and I catch myself staring at people slurping their Ramen).

Instant Ramen
If you can’t find a decent Ramen place nearby, try making your own at home. Most supermarkets carry Instant Ramen in their Oriental/ Asian sections, with packages that include the noodles and soup base mix. Although some of the toppings typically used for Ramen may be a little difficult to find, remember, it’s all about evolution and adaptation! We’ll use topping ingredients that are available in most stores across the U.S., so all you need to do is find the Instant Ramen. But beware, it’s not going to be so instant because we’re going to beef it up...I mean literally. Before we go out and get our Instant Ramen, let us take a brief look at what we are dealing with.

Today, Instant Ramen can be categorized into 3 basic types. In Japan, they are typically referred to as Fukuro Men, Cup Men and Nama-type Men.

Fukuro Men
Fukuro Men essentially means Bagged Noodles (Fukuro=Bag, Men=Noodle) and usually refers to the Instant Noodle similar to its original form (soup base mix already incorporated into the noodles), which was invented by Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Foods, back in 1958. The concept of storable, easy-to- prepare noodles has been around in China for hundreds of years, but the debut of Nissin’s first Instant noodle called Chicken (Chikin) Ramen led to a revolutionary landmark in Japanese food culture. Talk about instant success! Sorry, I had to go there.

Nissin currently has 29 plants in 11 countries, so you may be able to find their products in just about any part of the world. This type uses precooked, dried noodles and comes with a packet of soup base mix (usually powered).

Cup Men
Another popular type of Instant Ramen is the Cup Men. This is even easier because you basically just pour hot water into the Styrofoam cup or bowl. You may have to work a little harder when it comes to the bowl type. A lot of these require you to open the accompanying packets of soup base mix and toppings, and THEN pour in the hot water. What can I say…life is tough. Again, it was Nissin who introduced the famous Cup Noodle in 1971.

Today, you’ll find various types of brands and varieties in this form, not just for Ramen but also for other types of noodles, including Spaghetti! Many include your basic vegetables and meats so you, essentially, don’t need to prepare any toppings.

Nama-type Men
Wow! The interpretation of this can be a little tricky. Now, Nama means raw/ pure/ untreated in Japanese, but in this case, perhaps this type of Men can be interpreted as Fresh, which generally means unheated or non-dried noodles, which are often refrigerated or frozen for preservation. However, the broader definition of Nama-type Men includes noodles that have been steamed, boiled, fried or partially dried. As you can see in the photo, Nama-type Men looks and feels fresh/ raw, and doesn’t look like the fully dried ones in the Fukuro Men. Also, the soup base mix is usually in liquid form and not powdered.

So Many Choices!
Now that you've explored the different types of Instant Ramen, you need to select which flavor or style you want. Since it breaks down into so many different kinds and varieties, let's keep it as simple as possible. We’re going to add our own toppings, so all we need are the noodles and the soup base mix. Personally, I like the Nama-type Men, but if you can’t find it, make a selection from the Fukuro Men varieties.

To minimize the confusion, here are some Ramen basics, in a nutshell. First, chicken or pork bones (or their extracts), often combined with other ingredients, are usually used for the stock. In addition, the soup is typically seasoned with Shoyu (Soy Sauce), Shio (Salt) or Miso (Fermented Soybean Paste). So, if I want a pork-bone-based soup with Shoyu flavor, I look for Tonkotsu (pork bones) Shoyu Ramen. Simple enough, right? Not so fast! In this competitive field, brands need to distinguish themselves among their counterparts and come up with all sorts of unique representations on their packages – Savory Herb Chicken Flavor, for instance. Then you have Oriental Flavor. Now, what the heck does that mean? Does it mean they also have European or Latin Flavors, too?

In any case, since we're going to be beefing up our Instant Ramen, keep it plain and simple. Just get a regular Shoyu Ramen or even Chicken-Flavored is fine. While you’re at it, make sure you get some garlic if you don’t already have some at home.

Ready...here we go...

Not-So-Instant Ramen
First, we're going to beef up the Instant Ramen with what? Beef! Get some short ribs (bones and fat). We’re going to stew this baby for a long time. I usually start cooking the ribs the day before to get them nice and tender. How am I going to stew the beef? Yes, you’ve guessed it – with help from my friends, the Three Musketeers. For those of you who don’t have a clue about what I’m talking about, please refer to the My Three Musketeers post.

Place the short ribs into a saucepan and add about 1/2 a cup each of Shoyu and Mirin (Japanese Cooking Sake/ Wine). Pour in about a couple of cups of Sake, and add slices of garlic and ginger. You may add carrots and/or onions for added flavor. Add some water so the surface of the beef is covered (those of you who know me, KNOW that I prefer to add beer instead). Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and do a slow-cook job on it. Skim the broth as often as required.

When I prepare this the day before, I cook on low heat for a few hours (anywhere from 2 to 5, with the lid on), let it cool down, place in the fridge overnight and cook for another few hours, on low heat, the next day. That's right, these babies will be sliding off the bones...slip, sliding awaaay...If you want to eat it the same day, we’ll half the action. Heat on high temperature for about 5 hours. I warned you, this is Not So Instant!

Boiled eggs are often used as a topping for Ramen. Our next step is to beef up these babies, too. Boil some eggs as you normally do. While they're cooling, we’re going to make a sauce for them. Again, we need our friends, the Three Musketeers. Pour exactly the same proportion of Shoyu, Sake, Mirin and water into a pot. Peel and place the eggs into the sauce.

Let it come to a boil, add some Bonito flakes (Katsuobushi) if you have some and continue boiling for another 10 minutes. Let it cool down and settle. It tastes much better refrigerated overnight. I usually make these guys the day before, as well. These eggs are called Ni Tamago (stewed eggs) or Aji-Tsuke Tamago (Flavor-added eggs) and there are other ways to make them but this is probably the easiest.

Check out the difference between the regular boiled eggs and the beefed-up version, in the photo. You probably can't tell from the photo, but the texture is different and it adds another dimension to this dish. The taste of Shoyu is a little strong if you eat them as is, but boy, do they compliment the noodles. It's definitely worth spending the time to do this.

After you prepare other toppings such as boiled spinach, corn, Chinese snow peas, etc., get ready to boil the noodles. By the way, green onions are a must (in my house) so chop some up and have them ready to join in on the fun. Now, some people use the same pot to boil the noodles and prepare the soup. I usually use a separate pot to boil the water for the soup. Why? Well, because we're going to prepare the bowl, so to speak.

Here comes the final step in the Beef-up Instant Ramen project. You got it, grating the garlic. Time to get nice and stinky. A garlic press works well for those who to own one. After grating some garlic gloves, place into the bowl, add a small amount of your favorite Shoyu (Got Soy Sauce? post), and pour in the soup base mix.

With the toppings, soup base mix powered by garlic and Shoyu waiting at the starting line, we’re all set to boil the noodles. Pour the noodles into boiling water and cook according to the instructions. I usually cook them a little less than instructed to keep them al dente. If the instructions say 2 1/2 minutes, I'll do 2 minutes.

When boiling the noodles, use a chopstick to spread them apart. While the noodles are cooking, add some hot water (enough to dissolve the guys at the starting line) into the bowl and give all the players a good stir. Once the noodles are done, drain the water and pour into the bowl. Add more hot water to the bowl and adjust the amount so it barely covers the noodles. I even add a couple of spoonfuls of the beef stew broth. Give it a final stir and add the toppings...
congratulations, you’ve just made yourself a Not-So-Instant version of Instant Ramen!


It’s all about evolution and adaptation. If the toppings go well with the noodles and the soup, heck, use what you have and make your own version. In the meantime, I’ll just call my version the Cowboy Ramen. Well, the one in the photo doesn’t have much beef so we’ll call it a mini-Cowboy Ramen. Anyway, you get the point.

"Whoa, Nellie!"..."Hold your Horses!"...The Texan Cowboy Ramen just made its appearance!



What, NO CAN EAT BEEF? Not to worry, here's a veggie lovers delight. Including the Portobello mushrooms, I have 7 items as toppings so I’ll call it the Lucky 7 Ramen Special.


The Portobello makes an excellent substitute for meat. I even used the AJ2000X to cook the Portobello. For those of you who don’t know what the AJ2000X is, please check out my previous posting called Grill for the Thrill. When coming up with your own version, here’s a little hint. When I cook the Portobello for Ramen, I use butter instead of olive oil. Butter goes well with Ramen. If you come up with an awesome creation, share it with the rest of us.

Oh, by the way, according to Nissin Foods www.nissinfoods.com, it’s pronounced rah-men, not ray-men. Then again, although the Japanese use the letter “r” when writing words in English, it’s different than how it’s used in English and the “r" isn't rolled. So I’d say it’s more like lah-men.

This is NOT the end of the road for this topic. We'll be traveling this path a lot more in the future. You know...my gut feeling tells me that the evolution of Ramen will continue…