My Dashi

All About That 70′s Show

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:48:23 +0000

That 70′s show had a very long successful run, by any one’s standards, for eight years. It ran on Fox Television station. The show was centered around a group of teenagers living in a fictional Midwestern town. The time from of the show basically covers three years of the memorable 70′s decade from 1976 to 1979. The show garnered impressive ratings soon after it’s national debut. It is the first venue in which the impressive younger Ashton Kutcher, first started to gain serious acclaim and attention. Some of the other younger cast members included, Wilmer Valderrama, Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Danny Masterson and Laura Prepon. The show took on controversial issues that were prominent in the 70′s. Some of the issues, that were routinely addressed on the show was, the recession that was on every one’s mind in that decade. Teenage drug use, more then like they were not addressing legal herbs with that specific topic. The show addressed blue color workers, issues with the US Government, and people’s general mistrust of the government. The show also comically addressed the character, ‘Eric’, and his obsession with the film, ‘Star Wars’. The focus of the show, seemed to substantially change from the beginning of when the show started to air.

Many viewers and faithful fans quickly notices a change from the beginning story lines, of issues dealt with in a particular dramatic way. However as the show evolved the story lines, and basic tone of the show, seemed to dwell on comedy more then it’s dramatic flair. The show interestingly, attracted several TV stars of iconic 70′s television shows, to make guest appearances on “That 70′s Show’. Some of the starts that were prominently featured on the show were, Mary Tyler Moore, who is very synonymous with 70′s television shows. She was the star of her own very successful show in the 70′s called the Mary Tyler Moore show. The iconic 1970 television show ‘The Brady Bunch’, had some of it’s standout stellar cast appear on ‘That 70′s Show’. Eve Plumb, Christopher Knight, Barry Williams, from the Brady Bunch, all made appearances on the show. Tom Bosley and Marion Ross, better known as Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham from ‘Happy Days’, both appeared on the show. The show also had themes of episodes that coincided with the song titles from the 1970′s. That started to happen in season five of the show.

Kid’s Bento Box Lunches

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:24:37 +0000

When it comes to eating healthy it is such a chore to get my kids on board. They pretend to only like sugar coated cereals, fun-colored marshmallows, and salty crunchy cheese poofs. It got so bad that I was having to puree and mash up veggies to hide them in dinners. Now I make their healthy lunches and instead of making faces like they just ate a lemon, they get excited about lunch time. How did I inspire such a change? Well, I turned to other parents who started creating fun and healthy bento box lunches.

Bento lunches are still very common in Japanese culture where the wife will spend time and effort on preparing an intricate and delicious lunch for her husband and children each day. These lunches can be themed, include characters, or just be cute and fun.

My kids love showing off their awesome lunches at school, and I am just thankful they are eating good food. While it may be culture in Japan for a mom to spend a whole lot of time on the bento lunches, I do have to work full-time. So setting aside time each night to get the cookie cutters out and to work was difficult at first, now it is just a routine that allows be to be a bit creative and help to ensure my children are getting proper nutrition.

One question many moms ask me is from where I find my inspiration. Well, to be honest, I usually take a look at what other bento moms have done. The BentoLunch.net website is full of great ideas that are not only healthy and great tasting but adorable and simple. Take a look at my favorite simple bento lunches for the kids below.

Ham and cheese bento done right. My kids love how colorful this one is.

The word taco makes my kids extremely happy, so here are pita tacos. Yum!

Future of Japanese Food

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:52:21 +0000

Normally, while discussing the delicacies and treats that can be found in Japanese cuisine, we are thinking with our stomachs and our eyes and longing to taste some of the greatest flavors of each region. We also hear of some very bizarre foods that are highly prized by Japanese people, but would seem disgusting to many Westerners. For one, there is the famous dancing squid entree, served with a squid with all tentacles coming to life after soy sauce is applied. It’s very freaky to see, and I’m sure I won’t be eating that. Another thing that doesn’t agree with me is the idea of eating the genital sacs of fish containing fish seminal fluids — no thanks. But what is important in Japan right now, despite all of the diverse delights the country currently enjoys, is overfishing. Can the Japanese insure an adequate food supply for the long term?

This video, subtitled in English, explains the Japanese food supply chain and issues it will soon be facing unless changes are made and steps taken to preserve the basic components of the classic Japanese diet. Feel free to watch this a time or two, if you find you cannot keep up with the subtitles. It is interesting, and worth viewing.

Ultimate Sushi Chef

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:39:45 +0000

Everyone wants fresh sushi from Japan while they are in Japan, but what about those of us who can’t catch a flight today? Perhaps we are stuck in New York City, and uncertain as to where the very best sushi can be found. We want to take a friend or special someone along as well, and impress them with our knowledge of both sushi and the area. We want people to know that we have good taste and can find the ultimate sushi chef, even outside of Japan.

This is where the world famous Geisha restaurant in Manhatttan comes in handy! This is an excellent place to get top quality sushi and other Japanese food. Master Sushi Chef Don Pham takes us on a little tour of the restaurant in the following video. He’s going to make his top secret invention right before our eyes, a special sushi sandwich featuring truffles, black and white sesame seeds, tuna, roe, and a secret spicy sauce. This is one treat you won’t want to miss while in Manhattan, and should hold you over until you can get to Japan.

Winter Festival in Niseko

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:21:04 +0000

The Niseko festival offers travelers to Japan a great opportunity to tour a scenic part of Japan and to enjoy some great food too. The island of Hokkaido, where Niseko is located, is one of Japan’s biggest fresh fruit and vegetable producing regions. In addition to some of the world’s finest produce, you can also expect to find succulent lamb barbecue, gyouza (or, Japanese dumplings,) tempura, miso soup, and ramen. All of these are specialties in Japan, especially noodles like ramen and buckwheat soba.

Dining during the winter festival, there’s plenty of great varitey for diners to enjoy. Yakitori is a Japanese chicken skewer dish that can be seasoned either sweetly or with a spicy bite. Yudofu are several tofu pieces that are boiled in a clear, mild soup and then dipped into a soya based sauce prior to eating them. They are very tasty, as is Agedashi tofu, which is battered lightly and then fried crisp. They are then dipped into a variety of sweet sauces and served as a hot meal that can be portable and satisfying on a cold day in the winter. Here is an infographic to help you see what the Niseko festival is all about. It will make you want to join in the fun!

Bento Cooking with Dog

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 20:30:30 +0000

There is a delightful cooking show that is to be found on YouTube called Cooking with Dog. I often remember the flavors of home when I listen to the episodes and am then able to recreate the traditional comfort foods that I remember. Francis is the dog who sits politely beside the hostess who is cooking. These episodes are nothing short of refreshing. They bring a great deal of happiness, while teaching you to make the foods carefully and with great attention. This is never more true than in the case of this episode about bento.

Cooking Japanese food is not as difficult, provided that you have the proper ingredients and techniques. In Japan, the concept of Bento is an important part of food culture. Wives prepare a bento box each day to send their husbands with them to work. Mothers lovingly create works of art in the bento boxes of their school aged children, who are invariably surprised and made happy when they see the decorative way in which their meals were arranged. In ancient times, bento was used as an easy way to take food on journeys. The foods were those that would not be as perishable: dried fishes, vinegared rice, vegetables that are pickled, and other foods of this kind were used. Now, bento is used for fresher foods.

Enjoy this episode of Cooking with Dog.

Etiquette of Sushi Food

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 20:16:27 +0000

Sushi is a Japanese food which has gained an enormous following of health-minded hungry people in all parts of the world. Traditional sushi food was made using select cuts of high quality fish that is not cooked, but rather marinated in vinegar, which chemically cooks the flesh of the fish somewhat. The fish is still considered to be raw despite the chemical cooking, and so it can be unhealthy for individuals with certain health conditions unless the fish is extremely fresh.

The fish that is suitable for use in sushi is called “sushi grade.” This means that it is very fresh, and represents the finest part of the fish for human consumption. It is carefully cleaned and prepared to avoid contamination from bacteria. Some of the popular fishes used to prepare sushi include Yellowtail Tuna, Eel, and roe. There are literally hundreds of fish that can be used to make fresh and delicious sushi.

Many people do not have a good understanding of the etiquette of enjoying sushi. The various condiments that are used, and dipping sauces, all have a specific place in the eating of the sushi. How to hold the chopsticks, and when they are to be used are questions that many who are new to sushi ask. To help with this, we present you with an infographic containing the right way to eat sushi. Click to make it large.

Japanese Cooking for Everyone

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:48:11 +0000

Nothing is so beautiful as a spread of colorful foods in small, delicate dishes set upon a table and ready to enjoy. In Japan, the secrets to long and healthy living lie in not only the food itself, but in the presentation. How foods are arranged, including the size of pieces, the diversity of colors, and the inclusion of rice (an ancient staple food that has sustained the people of countless cultures for thousands of years) and foods from the sea all play a part in the healthfulness of meals.

Eating in the Western cultures has become something of a burden. By this, I mean that Americans in particular find themselves at risk for diseases related to the heart, diabetes, and vascular problems because of impurities such as artificial chemical additives and preservatives. Also, Americans do not take the time to experience the meditative qualities of food preparation, often opting instead to simply rely upon the availability of convenient fast foods. They are very busy people who “eat on the run,” wolfing down unhealthy meals as fast as possible — which is in itself quite unhealthy.

See in the video here how beautiful an experience food can be, and how simple, healthy meals are better for the body, mind, and soul.