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Today I am partnering with Akazuki Japanese Goods Shop – your favorite go-to Japanese goods store – to give away 3 awesome gifts! In case you’re not familiar with this cool and amazing online store, Akazuki carries various Japanese goods and ships everywhere from Japan! They sell tableware, bento supplies, teaware, stationery, posters, and even sweets and snacks! This giveaway contest is open to everyone worldwide! So make sure to read the rules carefully, and enter for your chance to win one of the following gifts!...

Arita ware (有田焼) is well known throughout the pottery world for its refined characteristics and colors. It all started 400 years ago when Yi Sam-Pyeong discovered kaolin at Izumiyama Quarry in Arita. We spent a day discovering various sites around Arita and shopped for ceramic and porcelain to add to our kitchen collection. Ready to join us? Let’s go! Where is Arita Japan Arita is located in northwest Kyushu (Saga Prefecture) just south of Imari....

Preparation Whether it’s kickstarting your morning routine or winding down after a long day, taking a shower should leave you feeling refreshed, not frustrated-especially because of low water pressure. If find yourself stepping into a light trickle rather than a full-force jet, the underlying problem might not actually be pressure-related. “Nine times out of ten, it’s sediment buildup in the showerhead blocking the orifices that deliver the water,” says Paul Patton, senior manager of innovation and regulatory at Delta Faucet Company....

Ingredients 2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons dried herb leaves, such as rosemary, basil or thyme, or Italian seasoning 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/3 cup shortening 1 cup buttermilk 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted Preparation Heat oven to 400°F. In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, herbs, salt and baking soda. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until mixture looks like fine crumbs....

Ingredients 1 box (15.25 oz) Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Yellow Cake Mix Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box 1 teaspoon apple pie spice 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup whipping cream 1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces 3 cups powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice Apple slices, if desired Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups....

Ingredients 1 cauliflower (about 1 1/2 lbs), separated into large florets Salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup Progresso™ lemon pepper panko crispy bread crumbs Preparation Heat oven to 425°F. Butter a 10x8-inch oval baking dish or a dish of equivalent size. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower, and boil until slightly softened but still retaining some crispness, about 3 minutes....

Ingredients 1 pouch Betty Crocker™ snickerdoodle cookie mix 4 oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup butter, margarine or spread, softened 1 tablespoon water 1 egg 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries Preparation Mix cream cheese and butter in bowl untl smooth. Open cookie mix; remove cinnamon sugar packet; set aside. Add water, egg and cookie mix to cream cheese mixture until soft dough forms. Stir in cranberries. Cover; refrigerate 30 minutes....

Ingredients 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist® yellow cake mix 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (2 medium) 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup water 3 eggs 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 1 container (6 oz) Yoplait® Original yogurt French vanilla Golden yellow gel or paste food color 1/2 cup Cheerios™ cereal Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease with shortening or cooking spray bottom only of 1 (6-inch) round cake pan and place paper baking cups in 16 regular-size muffin cups....

Ingredients 1 tablespoon butter or margarine 1/4 cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 3 1/2 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton) 1 cup thinly sliced carrots 1 cup frozen cut green beans 1/2 cup frozen corn 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1 lb firm white fish fillets (such as cod, haddock, halibut or orange roughy), cut into 1-inch cubes...

Goya Champuru (ゴーヤチャンプル) is a popular stir fry dish that came from the sunny island of Okinawa in southern Japan. Made with vibrant green bitter melon, tofu, pork belly, and egg, it is packed with protein and nutrients. As I am planning my first trip to Okinawa this winter, I am excited to discover many more delicious Okinawan dishes. But first, let me introduce this simple yet absolutely healthy home cooked dish of Okinawa – Goya Champuru with you....

There are many activities to do in Hakone and one of the most popular is riding Hakone Ropeway and take in the view high above Owakudani Hell Valley in the gondola. Our family has ridden the Hakone Ropeway a few times and it’s always fun and exciting. Ready to check out the hell valley with steaming vents? Let’s go! What is Hakone Ropeway Hakone Rope starts at Sounzan Station (早雲山駅) at the top of Gora, stops at Owakudani Station (大涌谷駅), Ubako Station (姥子駅), and ends at Togendai Station (桃源台駅) near Lake Ashinoko (芦ノ湖) or vice versa the other direction....

Ingredients 1 lb ground beef (at least 80% lean) 1/2 cup Progresso™ plain panko crispy bread crumbs 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 1/4 cup milk 1 egg 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 carton (32 oz) Progresso™ chicken broth 1 bag (12 oz) uncooked wide egg noodles 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 4 oz (from 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened and cubed...

Ingredients 1 package (6.2 ounces) fried rice (rice and vermicelli mix with almonds and Oriental seasonings) 2 tablespoons margarine or butter 2 cups water 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel 1 bag (1 pound) frozen corn, broccoli and red peppers 1 pound mild-flavored fish fillets, about 1/2 inch thick 1/2 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley Preparation In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook rice and margarine over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is golden brown....

Ingredients 6 slices maple-flavored bacon 1 3/4 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed, halved (6 cups) 2 shallots, finely chopped 1/2 cup chicken broth 1/3 cup real maple syrup 3/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted Preparation In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook bacon until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon; set aside. Add Brussels sprouts and shallots to drippings in skillet; cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned....

Ingredients 2 cups Bisquick™ Heart Smart™ mix 1/4 cup cinnamon-sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 2/3 cup fat-free (skim) milk 1/4 cup molasses 1 egg, slightly beaten 1 tablespoon grated orange peel Preparation Heat oven to 400°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 12 regular-size muffin cups. In large bowl, stir together Bisquick mix, 3 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons of the cinnamon-sugar and the ginger; make well in center of mixture....

This soup is pure comfort food during the cooler weather with homemade bread. Enjoy this video recipe tutorial for the Pasta Fagioli. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. ? What is Pasta Fagioli? Pasta Fagioli is a traditional Italian soup that translates to pasta and beans. Like many other recipes, the traditional soup is tweaked to the personal preferences of the one cooking the soup. Some enjoy the soup really hearty almost chili-like while others prefer the consistency with more liquid....

Ingredients 6 cups Cheerios™ cereal 1/2 cup peanuts 1/2 cup raisins 1/3 cup grape jelly 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup light corn syrup 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter Preparation Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, place cereal, peanuts and raisins; stir to mix. Set aside. In 2-quart saucepan, heat jelly, sugar and corn syrup over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture begins to boil....

I had received several requests from some of the readers that they would like to make Tsukemono, Japanese pickles. In Japan, Tsukemono is always served with steamed rice and considered as an important garnish or accompaniment for meals. There are even Tsukemono specialty stores in Japan, where we can buy all different types and varieties. Although we call it “pickles”, Japanese pickles are actually considered “preserved vegetables”. Unlike how American pickles are prepared, Tsukemono is not pickled in distilled vinegar....

Ingredients 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ butter recipe yellow cake mix 1 box (4-serving size) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix 1/3 cup water 1/3 cup butter, softened 1 to 2 teaspoons grated orange peel 1 teaspoon vanilla 4 eggs 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained 1 1/2 cups finely shredded carrots (2 to 3 large) 3 cups powdered sugar 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened...

Ingredients 1 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 3/4 cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/4 cup milk 1 1/2 cups refrigerated unfiltered fresh-pressed apple cider 1 tablespoon butter or margarine 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice Preparation Heat oven to 350°. Stir together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice and the salt in medium bowl....