Devour The World

Daring Bakers Challenge: Swiss Swirl Ice Cream Cake

July 30, 2010

I’ll admit it. I’m still in Japan mode. My family and I are still coming off our high so when I saw this month’s Daring Bakers’ Challenge, I decided that I needed to make something with some of my spoils from the trip – Green Tea, Sakura Essence, and Azuki. The July 2010 Daring Bakers’ […]

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Japan: Okonomiyaki – Hiroshima vs Osaka style

July 29, 2010

My brothers and I have fond memories of eating Okonomiyaki as children. We had some discussions [me not remembering much at 5 years old but still being insistent anyhow] about where and with whom we had our Okonomiyaki’s but the one thing we all agreed on was that we wanted to try both the Hiroshima […]

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Japan: Tour and visit of Tsukiji Market Place

July 24, 2010

The world famous Tsukiji Fish Market. A busy and bustling auction house filled with darting carts and some irritated Japanese men. The crowds at Tsukiji Fish Market had gotten so out of hand that the Administrative offices were forced to set up ground rules for visitors. There are now 2 viewings for the market 5:00am […]

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Make Someone Smile Week, July 18 – 24, 2010

July 19, 2010

Make Someone Smile Week [MSSW] was created in 2000 by Teleflora in an effort to bring smiles to the faces of those who are hospitalized, in nursing homes, VA hospitals and other places where people may not usually receive bouquets. Now in its 10th year, the goal is to deliver 50,000 bouquets [10,000 more than in 2009] during […]

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Omiyage: Gifts from Japan

July 19, 2010

Omiyage. The gift of giving. The Japanese have elevated the art of giving gifts to ridiculous proportions. They give a gift for EVERYTHING, as evidenced by the ridiculous availability of gift items everywhere – on street corners, temples, train stations, stores. I can’t walk 25 feet without being faced with gift options [many times in […]

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Traveling in Japan:Tips, Tricks & Things to make your life easier

June 29, 2010

I’ve been traveling to Japan since I was a small child. There was a time that I used to have my mom and uncles take care of everything for me. Then I turned into an adult with adult responsibilities and somehow overnight, I turned Type A [shut up, friends who have known me for decades] […]

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POSTCARD: Greetings from Cabo San Lucas

June 22, 2010

Dear Mi Amigos: I’ve been a busy little bee lately. Last weekend I was learning how to make soba and completing my very first triathlon. Now I’m back from Cabo San Lucas, a very welcome reprieve from my oh-so-difficult-life [especially before my Griswald Family Adventure]. I haven’t been here since 2004. Boy, has it changed […]

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Artisan Soba Making Class, Los Angeles

June 14, 2010

My family is a noodle family – ramen, udon, somen, soba, chow mein, lo mein, spaghetti – there isn’t a noodle that I’ve met that I haven’t liked. My dad, a traditional Japanese papa, loves noodles so much that several decades ago, he actually bought a pasta maker and buckwheat just so that he could […]

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POSTCARD: Greetings from Sedona, AZ

June 6, 2010

Dear [whatever the heck your name is]: June. In Arizona. What was I thinking? I was lucky that it was early June so while the weather was warm it was actually very comfortable! I had the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful dinner out on the patio served by Hilton’s Chef Stephen Crossett: a trio of […]

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HB in 5: Whole Wheat Cinnamon Cranberry Bagels

June 1, 2010

Bagels. I love bagels. Until I spied Kamran Siddiqi’s [The Sophisticated Gourmet] bagel post, I didn’t think it was possible to make myself! I’ve been very, very behind in my efforts at HB in 5 so when I saw that Cinnamon Raisin Bagels was next on the list, I had to clear my schedule! I […]