When I make a Japanese style meal, I try to plan out the meal by following the Japanese Ichiju Sansai – “One Soup Three Dishes” rule, which involves one main dish, 2 sides, steamed rice, miso soup, and pickles. On a busy day (most weeknights, frankly speaking), I don’t have time to prepare two kinds of side dishes, so one of them tends to be an easy salad that I can put together in no time....
This time of year I’m always encouraged to come up with new exciting recipes and ideas to share with you. In the meantime, I wanted to highlight some of the most favorited recipes that have been made by many of you in the past year. Not surprisingly, most of these recipes are approachable and easy to make at home. And four of them are actually from the Japanese drama – Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories....
Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 1/4 lb lean (at least 93%) ground turkey 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 cup chopped onion (1 large) 1 poblano chile, seeded, chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 cans (15 oz each) Progresso™ cannellini beans, drained, rinsed 1 carton (32 oz) Progresso™ chicken broth (4 cups) 2 cans (4.5 oz each) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper...
Ingredients 1 1/2 cups butter or stick margarine, softened 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon almond extract 4 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 24 caramels 1 bag (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup) 2 teaspoons shortening 1 cup chopped pecans 6 dozen pecan halves Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, mix butter, sugar and almond extract. Stir in flour and salt. (If dough is crumbly, mix in 1 to 2 tablespoons additional softened butter or stick margarine....
Preparation Right now in my house, the wall that leads upstairs—which the previous owners unwisely painted in a matte finish—bears a trail of small fingerprints. This used to signal another to-do on my list: “Clean those fingerprints off the wall.” Again. But lately, rather than sigh over the decay of my pristine home, I’ve been learning to embrace wabi sabi, the Japanese art of appreciating the beauty in the naturally imperfect world....
Preparation Every couple has a vision of what their wedding reception will be like, and for many, it’s one everlasting party that goes for hours upon hours with no end in sight. But what happens you start searching for a wedding venue and realizing that such an enigmatic space doesn’t seem to exist? The fact of the matter is that most wedding venues have clear cut-off times set for well before midnight....
Ingredients 1 box (14.1 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crusts (2 Count), softened as directed on box 1 can (8 oz) or tube (7 oz) almond paste 5 cups 1/2-inch slices peeled, ripe (but firm) pears (about 4 pears) 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1 1/4 teaspoons apple pie spice 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 egg, beaten 1/4 cup sliced almonds 1 teaspoon sugar Preparation Heat oven to 375°F....
Ingredients 2 apples, chopped (about 2 cups) 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel 2 teaspoons lemon juice 8 (17x12-inch) sheets frozen phyllo (filo) pastry, thawed 1/3 to 1/2 cup butter, melted 4 tablespoons Progresso™ Plain Bread Crumbs Preparation Heat oven to 375°F. Grease 15x10x1-inch baking pan. In medium bowl, combine apples, cranberries, sugar, walnuts, lemon peel and lemon juice; toss to coat....
Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil 2 medium onions, coarsely chopped (1 cup) 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 3 teaspoons ground cumin 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne) 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 can (15 to 16 oz) great northern beans, drained, rinsed 1 can (15 oz) Progresso™ cannellini beans, drained, rinsed 2 cans (4.5 oz each) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles...
Preparation Choosing a first dance song is a major decision. The first married spin isn’t just a highlight of the reception-it’s also a memory you’ll recall on anniversaries for years to come. While there are so many unique options out there, most couples opt for the poignant tunes of the past. That’s why we asked Shanon Cook, Trends Expert at Spotify, to tell us everything we (and you!) need to know when considering a classic first dance song....
Ingredients 2 cups uncooked whole wheat rotini pasta (6 oz) 1 lb lean ground turkey 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 cups firmly packed fresh spinach leaves 1 container (10 oz) refrigerated reduced-fat Alfredo pasta sauce 1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes, undrained 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (1 oz) Preparation In 2-quart saucepan, cook and drain pasta as directed on package, omitting salt. Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook turkey, Italian seasoning and salt over medium-high heat 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until turkey is no longer pink; drain....
Though chicken is wonderful baked or with pasta, casseroles are always a hit with the family. Oven Baked Creamy Chicken Casserole- Amazing oven baked chicken casserole recipe! The chicken is marinated, then breaded and sauteed giving the chicken a crispy finish. The chicken is then baked in a creamy chicken sauce. Sauteed mushrooms and bacon top the casserole dish and then the entire casserole is loaded with grated cheese. This chicken casserole recipe is absolutely amazing....
While everyone is busy planning and making holiday meals and baked goods, I decided to get a head start on Japanese New Year special meals. I know it sounds crazy since it’s not even Christmas yet! But in Japan we don’t generally get together with family and relatives for Christmas, but instead we get together on New Year’s Day or the first few days of New Years. I was actually surprised to receive many requests for traditional New Years food recipes from the readers because I was never been a big fan of Osechi Ryori (Traditional Japanese New Years Meal, お節料理) while growing up in Japan....
Preparation Classic botanical illustrations are a beautiful marriage of art and nature—and the muses for these wedding blooms. The talented floral designers behind Putnam & Putnam created arrangements that look simultaneously vintage and new, ornate and unfussy, intellectual and wildly romantic. All of which makes them ideal for celebrating another beautiful union—yours. Vintage inspiration isn’t just for your gown. When designing these arrangements, “we chose flowers that were common in Victorian prints,” says Michael Putnam, who is one half, with husband Darroch, of the NYC-based floral design team....
Ingredients 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ yellow cake mix 1/2 cup butter, melted 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained Preparation Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). In large bowl, stir together cake mix and butter until crumbly; set aside. Spread pie filling and pineapple in ungreased 13x9-inch pan. Sprinkle cake mix mixture evenly over fruit. Bake 38 to 44 minutes or until deep golden brown....
The small island nation of Japan is great for train enthusiasts and travelers in general, as the railway network is vast and expansive. The Shinkansen (bullet train; 新幹線), high-speed rail, and local trains can transport you from all the way north from Hokkaido to southern Kyushu. While you can opt to fly, traveling by train is relatively convenient, safe, punctual, and a totally different experience! You may pass spectacular views of the mountains and ocean, or scenic countryside....
Ingredients 1 lb halibut, swordfish or tuna fillet, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 teaspoon finely chopped gingerroot 1 box (10 oz) frozen asparagus cuts, thawed, drained 1 package (8 oz) sliced fresh mushrooms (3 cups) 1 medium tomato, cut into thin wedges 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon lemon juice Additional reduced-sodium soy sauce, if desired Preparation Spray 10-inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat....
Preparation Folding a fitted sheet can be frustrating, especially when you need to conserve space in your linen closet. When done incorrectly, this important piece of bedding can quickly become a bulky mess. Believe it or not, there is a foolproof way to fold a fitted bed linen that produces four sharp corners and a perfectly flat sheet that looks neat and tidy in your closet. The best part about this particular method?...
Ingredients 1 cup margarine, softened (butter not recommended) 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 eggs 1 3/4 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom 3 cups quick-cooking oats 4 2/3 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup butter, melted 6 tablespoons butterscotch topping 1/4 cup milk Preparation Heat oven to 350°F....
Ingredients 1 lb ground beef (at least 80% lean) 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles 3 green onions, thinly sliced, green and white parts separated 1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ red enchilada sauce 1 cup shredded Mexican 4-cheese blend (4 oz) 1 1 package (5.1 oz) Old El Paso™ Flour Soft Tortilla Mini Bowls (12 Count)...
