Books by Hiroko

The Japanese Kitchen

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Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Home-made udon noodles and soba chef

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

Many years ago while I was living in Japan I took a class to learn how to make home made udon at a class that was organized by one of the major Japanese flour companies.  All of the attendees were serious women of all different ages.  We all donned crisp white aprons and white head covers.  Today such classes are filled with male attendees, so the time have certainly changed.  After the class I rushed

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International Restaurant and Foodservice Show

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Please join us at The Japanese Food Seminar at the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York

Monday, March 1, 2010 - Tuesday, March 2, 2010
ENGLISH
JETRO Event

PROGRAM

DAY 1: Monday, March 1, 2010 13:00pm - 13:45pm

World of Koji – The Secret of Japanese Fermented Products
Presented by Toni Robertson, Executive Chef, Mandarin Oriental New York
Hiroko Shimbo, Hiroko’s Kitchen, LLC

This seminar introduces and explains shoyu (soy sauce), su (rice vinegar) and miso (soybean paste) in depth. All of these are based on the magical action of essential koji mold. The production process for artisan miso, koji’s role in fermentation, umami in fermented products, the healthful aspect of products are all presented. The seminar includes demonstrations illustrating the uses of shoyu, su and miso in traditional Japanese preparations and in creative new ways in American kitchens. Sample tasting follows.


DAY 2: Tuesday, March 2, 2010 13:00pm - 13:45pm

Umami in Kombu (kelp) and Other Food Products
Presented by George Mendes, Owner Chef, Aldea Restaurant
Hiroko Shimbo, Hiroko’s Kitchen, LLC.

This seminar defines and presents the famous “fifth flavor” umami found in kombu and in other food products. The audience will see the traditional kelp harvest and drying production process. The seminar also introduces varieties of kelps and their individual flavor profiles. Demonstrations illustrate the preparation of kelp stock and the use of kelp in creative new ways as a natural flavor enhancer in American kitchens. Sample tasting follows.

FEATURED CHEFS

Toni Robertson

Toni Robertson
George Mendes

George Mendes
Hiroko Shimbo

Hiroko Shimbo

Location:

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Demonstation Theater, Booth #1957
655 West 34th St.
New York, NY 10001

The Convenient Part of Gourmet d’Expert

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

This appliance promises that you can prepare and enjoy steamed foods.  Steaming is one of the healthiest cooking techniques, but requires a proper steamer and careful attention to preparation.  Done in the wrong cookware or with improper technique, everything becomes so bad - mushy, tasteless.  In the photo you can see my professional Japanese stainless steel steamer.

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Zojirushi Gourmet d’Expert Electric Skillet!

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

What a fun, easy to use and convenient piece of cookware the new Zojirushi’s Gourmet d’Expert Electric Skillet is.  I have steamed mussles (after mussles are done, I removed them and heated tomato sauce in the same skillet), fish and vegetables, and grilled wagyu beef steak (raised in America), pork chops and chicken with the very handy, easy to use and flexible applicance.  Flexibility does not usually come with Japanese way of thinking and products, so this is a big thing.  Judith Jones, my editor of The Sushi Experience, enjoyed cooking sukiyaki (thinly sliced beef and vegetables cooked together with a little sugar, sake, shoyu and water) in this skillet with me the other day, and she was in the heaven. 

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Japanese Cooking Seminar at International Restaurant and Foodservice Show

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Please join us at Japanese cooking seminars at International Restaurant and Foodservice Show on March 1st and 2nd.  The details are http://www.jetro.org/index.php?option=com_events_jetro&task=view&content=detail&event_id=409&Itemid=200

Hiroko

Enormously gooey

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

This icho-imo yam is incredibly enormously gooey when it is grated.  Look at and compare these two photos.  Well, in fact, both may look a little weird to you.

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You have to watch this!

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

watch?v=dU6M-G87L9o

Taken by Dan Schumacher at American Masara.  You hear the voice of Dan, Suvir Saran and Hiroko.

Again Yam!

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

I have introduced you nagaimo yam in my previous okonomiyaki blog - it is the long potato-like vegetable that becomes watery-slimy when grated.  In this photo you cann see here a very fresh, whole nagaimo yam.  Looks like a baseball bat.  The skin is thin and rough.  The cut surface shows moist, wet and somewhat bubbly appearance.

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Very fresh eggs from American Masala Farm

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

Suvir and Charlie keep over one hundred chickens at their place, American Masala Farm up in Hebron, NY.  Brown ones, spotted ones, snow white ones, sleek black ones and one with an impressive hairdo.  They are beautiful creature.  Each variety lays eggs in different size, shape and color.  It is said that the average

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Kagami-mochi, what to do with it?

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu (Happy New Year)!  As Christmas trees decorate American homes during holiday, Kagami-mochi decorate a room in Japanese house from the end of yeaer (December 28th).  It is an offering to the god who protected us during the old year (he departs and new god arrives in the New Year). 

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