An idea for a new theme/event
posted on 30 Oct 2009 by maki ::
48 comments
I know that I have sadly neglected this blog for some weeks now, as I struggle with completing the first draft of my book. (My main problem is I keep revising the recipes…but that’s another story.) I know that digging up things from the archives does not really constitute true updating! Anyway, I do have an idea for a regular theme or event of sorts, to commence probably in the new year (or when the book is further along in the birthing process).
The tentative title of the theme/event is Japanese Ingredient Focus Seminar (too formal?). I know that many Japanese ingredients are unfamiliar to non-Japanese readers. So the goal will be to become as familiar as possible with it, in a specific time period, say 2-3 weeks. I’ll announce the ingredient beforehand, so people have time to get a hold of it. Then we will try various recipes using that ingredient, from simple to not-so-simple.
How does this sound? Let me know if this sounds interesting to you. I’ll also accept suggestions for ingredients to tackle.
ETA: To start with the idea is to tackle some very Japanese ingredients, which may not necessarily be available at regular supermarkets, but should be available at Japanese or Asian grocery stores or by mailorder. I’ll list where to get the specified ingredient well in advance. (Some ingredients might include konbu seaweed, umeboshi, bonito flakes, lotus root, daikon radish, and so on.)
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Re: An idea for a new theme/event
I think this is a great idea, along with maybe hints of what can be used if the original product wasn't available where the person lives? I am lucky to live in a place with Japanese and Asian supermarkets, but a lot of people aren't and ordering by mail can be expensive.
I know not everything can be replaced but ingredients like Yuzu are not always around so maybe mentioning things that can be substituted would be a nice addition to this?
Good luck with this, I think it can be a fun and interesting theme!
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
This sounds wonderfull. I only hope that I will have time to participate when it starts!
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
Yes, enthusiastically!
Bet you have been busy. Best wishes for energy and inspirations during your booking process.
jf
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
Great idea! I've learned so much from both your blogs.
I hope to be able to participate but if I can't I will still enjoy reading about it. :O)
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
Great idea!
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
Love it.
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
This sounds really nice but the only thing I'm worried about is if the ingredient is rarely available in grocery stores. But if it's something like rice or noodles and dishes possibly made from them than that would be just fantastic.
What I would absolutely love to see is if you choose a type of food like dessert or soup and spend some time teaching us a variety of dishes that could be prepared from them - same basic idea but with broader space. :)
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
Sounds great. Except the word "seminar".
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
Wah! It sounds like fun. I was just wondering.. I havent been to an asian supermarket in a while so im not that familiar but, will people be able to read Konbu seaweed on it or will it be in the native language?
omg and the word seminar reminds me of the snorefest seminars i need to attend every so often for class lol. xD
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
I believe that by law, products must have a label in the official language of the country/region it's sold in...at least in the U.S. and EU/Switzerland etc. I'll post pictures of what the ingredient should look like too, so people can identify it.
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
I believe that by law, products must have a label in the official language of the country/region it's sold in...at least in the U.S. and EU/Switzerland etc. I'll post pictures of what the ingredient should look like too, so people can identify it.
ooo thanks!
I was just wondering where in the supermarket would Matcha be? I tried looking for it today at H-mart and found every powder but green tea powder.
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
I believe that by law, products must have a label in the official language of the country/region it's sold in...at least in the U.S. and EU/Switzerland etc. I'll post pictures of what the ingredient should look like too, so people can identify it.
The laws of man do not indicate what man will do. :D
I know by experience that certain ranch asian markets frequently forget to put the sticker on the back of products that they sell in their store. Extremely often with Vietnamese foods and ingredients, it seems. This leads me to believe that the retailer may rely on the exporting company to do it, rather than do it themselves.
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
I believe that by law, products must have a label in the official language of the country/region it's sold in...at least in the U.S. and EU/Switzerland etc. I'll post pictures of what the ingredient should look like too, so people can identify it.
The laws of man do not indicate what man will do. :D
I know by experience that certain ranch asian markets frequently forget to put the sticker on the back of products that they sell in their store. Extremely often with Vietnamese foods and ingredients, it seems. This leads me to believe that the retailer may rely on the exporting company to do it, rather than do it themselves.
Oh yeah, forgot to add. Great Idea! I like the formality of the name. It feels forced, so its kind of funny.
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
There probably is but I have found that a lot of asian grocery stores don't follow that one. There are a lot of products without any english labels on them at the asian market I go to. There has been a number of times I have had to look an ingredient up on my iphone in order to identify it.
I believe that by law, products must have a label in the official language of the country/region it's sold in...at least in the U.S. and EU/Switzerland etc. I'll post pictures of what the ingredient should look like too, so people can identify it.
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
Despite what rednecks would have you believe, the US doesn't have a legal official language, not the way the EU countries do. The FDA mandates that nutrition and ingredient information must be present, though.
Having wandered the aisles of the international grocery store that recently opened in my hometown, I've noticed a curious elitism - there's detailed descriptions in Japanese or Chinese (or Spanish, for that half of the store), but those of us that don't read kanji are left with a very nondescript "Chinese Noodles" or something like that underneath. It's infuriating >.>
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
Love this idea. I'm in! I agree with the previous comment that "seminar" sounds decidedly un-fun. Something like Japanese Pantry Guide might seem more inviting. Would love to see you tackle some ingredients like shiso, matcha, as well as 7 ways with rice. Looking forward to it!
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
I love this idea! I also think it'd be a great reason to try some things I wouldn't normally try since I don't know what to do with the extra!
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
I LOVE THIS IDEA! Something that I've notice though, is that some of the dry ingredients aren't available near where I live. Okay, two in particular - soybean powder and kuzu powder (I think you know what recipe I'm talking about, I've been dying to make kuzumochi, but, well.). Maybe after announcing what the ingredients are you could ask readers if they've ever ordered some online and where from then posting the responses?
And because you asked... it does sound a little formal. Maybe Exploring Japanese Ingredients? Deconstructing the Japanese Meal?
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
Really good idea. I'd love to read about ways to use kombu after making dashi with it. Seems such a shame to throw it away but my attempts at tsukadani without sugar have been less than palatable. I bet you/ your mum/ your auntie have some great ideas up your sleeve for that.
Looking forward to the book.
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
I think this is a great idea, especially when someone mentioned suggestions of substitutes. I have serious issues with some of the recipes because while I have access to SOME asian ingredients, others - like ume vinegar - are impossible to come by unless I buy it online or go on an extended road trip.
I'd definitely participate in this event.
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
Definitely can't wait for this, but it needs a more... fun sounding name, since it sounds like fun. Best wishes on the book writing!
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
Yes!
I am a new reader to your site, and it's always hard dating back through archives. I want to learn more about japanese cooking and ingredients, and your idea sounds great!
Please do give me a week or so to get to Japantown and pick up the ingredient.
I look forward to taking this journey with you!
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
I love this idea! It would be great to get to experiment with one ingredient to become familiar with it.
I do have to say though that if you're going to be using a lot of other hard-to-get or not-as-common Japanese ingredients that aren't the main ingredient, could you give those in advance as well? My nearest Asian grocery is about a 30 min drive away (and I'm sure for others it's farther), which isn't something I can do often, so I'd like to get the ingredients all in one trip.
This is also kind of cost-effective, because we'll be able to try several recipes with an ingredient, instead of one, and thus we won't have something rotting away in the fridge or pantry because we didn't like that one recipe.
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
I think that sounds pretty awesome. I like cooking with various ingredients and I'd love to know how to use them better, even if not in a traditional manner.
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
It is a really good idea, Maki!
I am looking forward to it as well as to your book very much!
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
Maki,
I think that your idea is a great one. I know that some people would like you to stick with fairly easy to find ingredients, but honestly, they've been done already and I think that to get to the root of the Japanese culinary experience, we need to work with ingredients that may be common in Japan, regardless of how easy they are to find in other countries. I think the gap between announcing ingredients and actually presenting the recipe is great- so if we must resort to the internet, it's not that big of a deal.
I look forward to learning some new and delicious recipes!
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
This sounds wonderful! I just found this site while looking for a cold soba recipe. We are US military stationed on Okinawa and I've been having a wonderful time trying out new things here. Would love to learn much, much more. Thank you!
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
I LOVE this idea. Really terriffic.
Monica
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
Great idea! However, I live in the Caribbean. Its very difficult to get asian products here and ordering online is really expensive. If you could give suggestions on alternative ingredients, (this is difficult in japanese cooking, I know!) that would be great. I do get to the US every other month or so, but japanese ingredients are more difficult to find than chinese. Thanks!
Re: An idea for a new theme/event
Great idea! Information on Japanese herbs, possible substitutes would be great. I grow and use two types of shiso but am fairly clueless about most others. Thanks for this great blog. I refer to your recipes constantly!
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