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I usually keep my blog focus on recipes and food-related topics, and occasionally I share my experience through travel posts when I visit places with my family. Today’s post however is totally an exception, it’s not about food or my trips. Instead I would like share a story about the women in Ishinomaki, Japan – the town which was most seriously affected by the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami – and how they build their hope and strength through broken pieces of pottery leftover after the horrible disaster....

Ingredients 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon olive oil 3 to 3 1/2 lb cut-up frying chicken 1 large onion, sliced 1 medium bulb garlic (about 20 cloves) Preparation In small bowl, mix salt, paprika, pepper and oil to form paste; spread evenly over each piece of chicken. In 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, place onion slices. Arrange chicken over onion. Separate garlic into cloves; do not peel cloves....

Ingredients 1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ sugar cookie mix 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 1 egg 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon vanilla Food color, if desired Candy sprinkles, if desired Preparation Heat oven to 375°F. Line 9-inch square pan with cooking parchment paper or spray with cooking spray. In large bowl, beat cookie mix, 1/2 cup butter and the egg with electric mixer on medium speed until a soft dough forms....

Ingredients 1 box (15.25 oz) Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Yellow Cake Mix (or your favorite flavor) Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box 1 container Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting 1/4 cup Betty Crocker™ white candy sprinkles and white candy pearls 2 tablespoons coarse white sparkling sugar 1 roll (from 5-oz box) Betty Crocker™ Fruit Roll-Ups™ fruit flavored snack (any flavor) 16 mini Teddy Grahams™ teddy bear-shaped graham snacks...

Preparation Once summer finally arrives, everyone is eager to trade hearty, comforting meals for something lighter and brighter. The same should be done for the wine you pour alongside dinner; you’ll want to pair your meals with a varietal that’s light, chilly, and not too serious, all the better to help you cool off after a long day in the sun. While rosé might be synonymous with the summer season, it’s certainly not the only option....

Preparation Each of these recipes makes enough sauce for four artichokes. Serve one artichoke per person. In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Season with coarse salt and ground pepper. In a blender, combine 2 large egg yolks, 1 tablespoon warm water, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt; blend until frothy. Heat 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter in the microwave or in a small saucepan over medium heat until bubbly (do not let brown)....

If you ask me what is my favorite miso soup, I would immediately say Tonjiru (豚汁). This Pork and Vegetable Miso Soup is one of the true comfort foods that I crave when I travel. There’s nothing more soothing than a simple meal of Onigiri rice balls and Tonjiru. You might have seen Tonjiru being featured on the popular Japanese TV drama called “Shinya Shokudo (深夜食堂)” or “Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories” on Netflix....

Preparation Take a seat at any restaurant in the Western world and you’re likely to find a pair of salt and pepper shakers on the table. These prolific mealtime helpers may seem somewhat mundane to us today, but if you take a peek into their history, you’ll find that they’re anything but bland! The first screw-top salt shaker was invented in 1858 by John Landis Mason. Fun fact: he also happens to be the man who invented the Mason jar....

Preparation Like many couples, Jamie Bell and Kate Mara had trouble choosing their wedding venue. As it turns out, the perfect location was right in front of them-literally. Bell just appeared on The Late Late Show, and finally revealed where he and Mara held their secret celebration, and the spot they chose may surprise you. “We actually got married right across the street from our house,” the actor disclosed to host James Corden....

If you are a long time reader of Just One Cookbook, then you know I go through phases where I try extra hard to be more health conscious. Eat the right food, exercise, cut down on portions, and look for more wholesome snacks. While browsing at my local Safeway recently, I found Good THiNS snacks and decided to give them a try. Here is my honest review: Reasons Why I like Good THiNS Before actually trying the snack, there are several reasons why Good THiNS appealed to me:...

This month we’re partnering with our friends at Kokoro Care Package to give away their upcoming October Nourishing Essentials Care Package. The beautiful box features yuzu flavored condiments and pantry items that will remind of you of the upcoming fall season in Japan. The giveaway is open to Just One Cookbook readers worldwide* (over 40 countries), and three (3) lucky winners will be selected! *Note: please check this page to see if your country is included....

Preparation Thanksgiving may be one of the best things about late fall, and we’re not the only ones that take time to say thanks while feasting at this time of year. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, and their holiday is actually older than ours. Canadian Thanksgiving dates back to 1578 when an arctic explorer and his crew gave thanks for safe travels. Today, our two Thanksgivings happen in different months but are actually pretty similar when it comes to the menu....

Oshogatu (Japanese New Year) is the biggest celebration in Japan, and even everyday food like Kamaboko gets a total make-over for this happy occasion! Kamaboko (かまぼこ or 蒲鉾) is a Japanese fish cake, a type of cured surimi. It is made by forming various white fish paste steamed into a semicylindrical log shape on a wooden block. Kamaboko is usually sliced and served chilled or unheated, sometimes with some type of dipping sauce....

Ingredients 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (1/2 lb) 3/4 cup Whole Grain Total® cereal, slightly crushed* 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted 1/3 cup apricot preserves 1 teaspoon lemon juice Salt and pepper, if desired Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Between pieces of plastic wrap or waxed paper, place each chicken breast smooth side down; gently pound with flat side of meat mallet or rolling pin until about 1/4 inch thick....

Ingredients 1/2 loaf (8 ounces) French bread, cut horizontally in half 1/4 cup creamy Caesar dressing 8 ounces sliced mozzarella cheese Preparation Heat oven to 450°. Place bread on ungreased cookie sheet. Spread dressing on cut sides of bread. Top with cheese. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until cheese is melted and edges begin to brown. Cut into slices. Serve immediately. Related Video

Ingredients 1 can (16 oz) Old El Paso™ refried beans 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce 1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ fajita seasoning mix 1 package (9 oz) frozen cooked Southwest-seasoned chicken breast strips, thawed 8 Old El Paso™ flour tortillas for soft tacos & fajitas (6 inch; from 8.2-oz package) 1 bag (1 lb) frozen stir-fry bell peppers and onions, thawed, drained 2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese blend (8 oz)...

Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 1 package (16 oz) potato gnocchi 1/4 cup butter 4 cups baby spinach leaves or chopped kale leaves, stems removed 1 can (15.25 oz) whole kernel sweet corn, drained 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese Preparation In 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook chicken breasts in oil 6 to 8 minutes on each side or until golden brown and juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165°F)....

Ingredients 1 cup Gold Medal™ whole wheat flour 1/2 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup cold butter or margarine, cut into pieces 2/3 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg 1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips 1/3 cup Gold Medal™ whole wheat flour 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup cold butter or margarine...

If you like sandwiches try our delicious Italian Sub, the hearty turkey bacon grilled cheese. You can also go above and beyond by making the ultimate sandwich platter for a potluck or brunch. TURKEY CLUB SANDWICH- I love how hearty and delicious this club sandwich is! The toasted bread layered with turkey, ham, cheese, and toppings comes together so well. What is a club sandwich? A club sandwich is a sandwich of turkey, bacon, tomato, lettuce, mayo, cheese in between 3 bread slices....

Ingredients 1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened 1 tablespoon butter, softened 3 cups powdered sugar 1/4 teaspoon mint or peppermint extract Red food color, if desired Preparation In food processor, place cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar. Cover; process, using on-and-off pulses, until mixture comes together into a ball. Add mint extract; process just until incorporated. Place dough on work surface sprinkled with additional powdered sugar. Add a few drops food color to center of dough; knead until dough is evenly tinted....