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Making dashi (Japanese soup stock) is an all-important step in Japanese cooking to create authentic flavor. Today I want to share how to make a Japanese anchovy stock called Iriko Dashi (いりこだし) or Niboshi Dashi (煮干しだし), commonly used in miso soup and many other hot pots, noodle soup, and simmered dishes. What is Iriko Dashi? Iriko Dashi (いりこだし) or Niboshi Dashi (煮干しだし) is the Japanese soup stock made from Iriko (いりこ) / Niboshi (煮干し), dried baby sardines or anchovies....

Preparation I don’t know about you, but my kitchen is one of the most used rooms in my house. From preparing lunches to hosting dinner parties, I’m constantly in this space and need it to strike a balance between fashion and function. However, when it came to nailing down the look I wanted, the kitchen was a challenging space to design. I spent hours picking out cabinetry and appliances, but something was still missing....

Ingredients 1 bag (11.8 oz) frozen Mediterranean blend vegetables, cooked as directed on bag 1 cup Progresso™ plain bread crumbs 1/4 cup milk 1 1/2 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef 1 egg, slightly beaten 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/3 cup ketchup 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar...

Ingredients 3 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cut into cubes 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives Preparation In large saucepan, place potatoes and enough water to cover. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; cook about 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender when pierced with fork. Drain; return potatoes to saucepan. Meanwhile, in small saucepan, heat milk and butter until butter is melted and milk is hot....

Ingredients 12 slices French bread, 1/2 inch thick 1/4 lb shaved or very thinly sliced cooked ham 3 slices (3/4 oz each) Gruyère or Swiss cheese, cut in half 3 eggs 1/2 cup milk 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 tablespoon butter or margarine Powdered sugar, if desired 3/4 cup strawberry syrup Preparation Top 6 slices of the bread evenly with ham and cheese, folding to fit. Top with remaining bread slices....

Umeda is the go-to destination for shopping and dining choices in Osaka, with the major transport hubs Osaka Station and Umeda Station, flanked by Hankyu, Hanshin, Daimaru, and other super-sized retail shops. Osaka Station 大阪駅 Umeda cemented its place as the center of transportation in Kansai area when Osaka Station open in 1874. Subsequent train and subway lines were added to the area including Umeda Station. A similar comparison for Umeda in Osaka would be Shinjuku in Tokyo....

Ingredients 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup water 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice Ice 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey 1 tablespoon (1/2 oz) Caramelized Simple Syrup (see above) 3 to 4 drops Angostura™ aromatic bitters 1 orange twist Preparation To make Caramelized Simple Syrup, in 1-quart saucepan, place 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of the water over medium heat. Cook, without stirring, 1 to 3 minutes or until sugar caramelizes....

Ingredients 6 cups water 1 teaspoon salt 1 package (3 ounces) shrimp and crab boil mixture, (one 3-ounce bag) 1 pound small red potato 4 medium ears sweet corn, cut in half 1 pound uncooked peeled deveined medium shrimp, thawed if frozen 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted 1 lemon, cut in to wedges Fresh ground pepper, if desired Chopped fresh parsley, if desired Cocktail sauce, if desired Preparation Mix water, salt and bag of crab boil mixture in 4-quart Dutch oven....

Ingredients 4 pounds beef short ribs 2 dried bay leaves 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 envelope (1.2 ounces) brown gravy mix 1/2 cup dry red wine, if desired 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed golden mushroom soup 4 servings mashed potatoes (refrigerated, instant or frozen), heated Preparation Place ribs in 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker. Top with bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce, gravy mix (dry), wine and soup. Cover and cook on low heat setting 8 to 10 hours....

A lot of readers have asked for tips on bento making. I have one trick that my mom taught me which I think is helpful when you prepare a meal or even bento. That’s to work with colors. I’m going to explain the concept with my favorite Soboro Bento today. Soboro is usually made with ground chicken seasoned with the slightly sweet soy sauce flavor. This dish is commonly served on top of steamed rice....

Ingredients 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ yellow cake mix Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box Tray or cardboard (17x12 inches), covered with wrapping paper and plastic food wrap or foil 2 containers Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting 1 roll Betty Crocker™ Fruit Roll-Ups® strawberry chewy fruit snack rolls 1 tube (0.68 oz) Betty Crocker™ black decorating gel Preparation Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan)....

Umami, also known as the fifth taste, is abundant in the food realm. From tomatoes, mushrooms, parmesan cheese, cured meats, gravy, and more, these foods hit you with that intense savory, meaty flavor. Your mouth might already be watering just imaging these foods. It’s prevalent in many cultures worldwide, but it has a special place in Japanese cuisine. After all, the word “umami” (旨味) is from the Japanese language, meaning “delicious taste....

Preparation Every season poses its own unique safety risks for pets, but summer is a particularly hazardous time for your four-legged friends. From high temperatures to bugs waiting for a host to latch onto, there’s plenty to keep your furry companions safe from during warmer months. Now, that doesn’t mean you need to panic every time you let your pet into the great outdoors—there are a few precautions you can take to keep them safe this summer....

Ingredients 1 package (7 oz) elbow macaroni 1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna, drained 1 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz), if desired 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish, if desired 2 teaspoons lemon juice 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 medium stalk celery, chopped (1/2 cup) 1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup) Preparation Cook macaroni as directed on package, adding peas for last 4 to 6 minutes of cooking; rinse with cold water and drain....

Ingredients 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ White Cake Mix 1 can (12 oz) carbonated beverage of choice Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. In large bowl, beat dry cake mix and carbonated beverage with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping side of bowl. Divide batter among cups. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean....

Ingredients 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin 1 tablespoon cold water 2/3 cup whipping cream 2/3 cup milk 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/3 cups fresh raspberries 2 tablespoons honey Fresh mint sprigs Preparation In small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; set aside to soften gelatin. In 2-quart heavy saucepan, heat whipping cream, milk, sugar and vanilla over medium heat to simmering, stirring frequently until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat....

As we continue our Tokyo Travel series, we’ll revisit Tokyo Skytree, where we first visited as a family in 2014. Our children were still young then so after waiting for 1.5 hours to go to the top of Tokyo Skytree and spending some time enjoying the views of Tokyo, we were ready to call it a day. This time around as our children are older, we could actually browse through the restaurant floor and unique shops they had at Tokyo Skytree Town....

Preparation Your mail carrier helps to deliver letters to and from your home all year long—but before Christmas arrives, they may be charged with delivering a very important note from your family all the way to the North Pole. The United States Postal Service has been receiving letters, notes, and holiday wish lists addressed to Santa Claus from families across the nation for more than 100 years, but it wasn’t until 1912 when then Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock created a program now known as Operation Santa to help Santa answer all of those letters he receives each and every year....

Preparation Aside from walking a red carpet or accepting your Nobel Prize, no other event in your life will give you a better reason to wear a carefully-chosen tuxedo than your wedding. “Brides spend thousands of dollars on a gown that is tailored to fit them impeccably—I tend to suggest that the groom does the same,” says Donnell Baldwin, New York City-based stylist and image consultant at Mr. Baldwin Style. But if you’re not what Baldwin refers to as “a suited and booted type of guy” and you prefer renting to buying custom, you can find a tux that’s flattering, timeless, and ideal for your big day by considering these essential factors....

We often get asked by friends and readers on Japan travel tips and itineraries so we try our best to share our Japan experiences on the blog. However, one city we didn’t have much travel content on was Tokyo. Why? Since Nami’s family only lives 7 miles (15 km) from Tokyo and 15 miles (23 km) to Shibuya, it never seemed like a “Japan travel destination” for us. As we get repeated request for Tokyo travel guide, we spent 6 days this past summer in Tokyo exploring different wards, activities to do, places to visit and eat....