Dates for October Classes:

October 8th (Wed)  - Learn to how to make Sushi Rolls(V)
October 10th (Fri) -  Explore Tofu (V)
October 22nd(Wed) - Home Cooking with Autumn Vegetables (V)
October 24th(Fri) - Home Cooking with Autumn Vegetables (V)

• All classes start at 10:00
  
• Each session in 5000 yen (inc. tax)
  
• Classes with (V) can be vegetarian upon request otherwise the class is non-vegetarian.
  

Please contact me  for Private Lessons on dates other than above.

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Looking Forward to meeting you in my kitchen!

Miyuki

One of the most popular foods in Japan, Tofu has been with us for some time. Originally from China, it is said to have been brought to Japan in the 8th Century by the Buddhist priests, but it was only in the 18th century during the Edo period that it has become an every day dish.

Today, in your local supermarket, you can find various types of Tofu, two main kinds being Kinugoshi (silken or soft) and Momen (firm or regular).  Kinugoshi Tofu is a soft tofu used in salads by dicing it or as a sauce by blending it with other ingredients. The most popular and simple way of eating a Kinugoshi tofu is a Hiyayakko, made by just cutting it and topping it with whatever you like. You will see a typical Hiyayakko in an Izakaya (Japanese Pubs) topped with a grated ginger, chopped green onions and soy sauce.  

The other kind, Momen tofu, has a firmer texture, usually, pressed to drain excess water then used in stir fries and tofu bakes as it will retain its shape better.

The difference in texture comes from the manufacturing method and this results in the difference in nutritional value. In general, Tofu is known to be an excellent source of protein and calcium containing  zero cholesterol. But the nutritional values differ between the two kinds of Tofu.　Momen tofu contains 3 times more calcium, 20 ~30% more protein and iron than Kinugoshi. On the other side, Kinugoshi contains more vitamin B and Potassium than Momen. 

My Tofu Class will be using various kinds of Tofu as well as soy bean products to familiarize you with handling tofu. Tofu eaten by itself is quite dull, but if you combine it with other ingredients it will make a satisfying meal full of nutrition yet  with low calories.  

Hope to see you in my kitchen!

This is what we will be making for the October class. This menu is full of Autumn taste. 

• Aki-shake (Autumn Salmon) with Teriyaki sauce
  
• Agedasi Tofu (Deep Fried Tofu) with Autum Vegetables
  
• Mizuna and Kaki Salad with soy milk dressing.
  
• Miso soup with Shiitake Mushrooms and Aguraage.

Class Dates:          Oct. 22nd (Wed) and 24th (Fri.)  
Private Lessons are available at your convenient time for more than a party of 2.  For Details please go to Private Lessons.

Sushi Class (Oct. 8th) and Tofu Class (Oct. 10th) is still open for booking as well.  All classes are 5000 yen per person. 
See you in my kitchen! >> Book a Class

We did a day trip to Misaki-guchi, which is at the tip of the Miura Penninsula. It's famous for Tunas is a popular tourist spot as it only takes about an hour by car from Tokyo. But yesterday, the middle day of a 3 day holiday, it was crazy and it took 3 hours! We planned on having lunch there, but by the time lunch was served it was 3 o'clock! So if you are heading there on a holiday or weekend, make sure to start early and head back early, or take the train. 

If you are going by train, be sure to get the Misaki Maguro Kippu (The Misaki Tuna Ticket)　issued by The Keikyu Line This ticket includes a round trip ticket from any station on the Keikyu Line, one day bus pass and lunch at the participating restaurants, and an admission fee to the major attractions  such as the Aburatsubo Marine Park, hot springs, boat ride and cycling. It's a good deal as the return ticket from Shinagawa itself costs nearly 2000yen, but this Package is a little over 3000 yen and that is bus pass, lunch and admission fee included.

Also visiting the fish market, we headed to the Jogashima Island, just off the tip of Misaki Harbor. It is a great place to have a picnic as the grass area is well maintained and you can also go down to the beach where the rocks have formed a beautiful scenery over the long years that it has been exposed to the waves. Actually I came here for my geology field trip in high school. My sons spent a long time there looking for crabs, a great place for kids.

Links:

• About the Misaki Maguro Kippu (In English)  - The prices on this leaflet may be before the tax increase.
  
• Keikyu Website on the Misaki Maguro Kippu (Japanese) - Check the latest information on this site.
  

It’s the season of “Matusri”, the Autumn Festival. Each neighborhood having their own local shrines will be carrying around town the “Omikoshi”  a sacred palanquin which holds god of the shrine. "Kodomo-mikoshi" is a smaller version for the children. Toddlers and small children also participate in this event by pulling the “Dashi”, a festival car carrying a big drum. The children after pulling the Dashi or carrying Omikoshi will get a goody bag and occasionally be rewarded by ice lollies and shaved ice. The word gets around very quickly among the mums on which neighborhood gives out the best goody bag and the kids will flock to that Omikoshi to get the reward. This is something like an early Halloween here for the kids as they will be tons of candy and sweets as well as bags snacks on this occasion.