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Lines wind around the corner for Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Tokyo and Osaka; piggy banks are emptied to buy American jeans, and McDonald’s are a happy go-to meal. American peanut butter is another story. Most Japanese are aloof to the concept of a PBJ sandwich. So, Skippy is available only in foreign specialty stores at special luxury item prices. Japanese supermarkets do carry a strain of peanut butter but it lacks the rich,... Read More |
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Do maple syrup, pecans and butter bring forth any fond memories for you? My mind flies to Sunday mornings and stacks of pancakes. Maple syrup, toasted pecans and butter murmur comfort and sunny chitter-chatter around the breakfast table.
Pancakes with Maple Syrup (Photo Credit)
The nostalgic ingredients are also the stars of this month’s Cake Slice Baker’s group challenge. Maple Pecan Chiffon Cake with Brown Butter... Read More |
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The year was 1975. Heaven’s winds had blown away the cherry blossoms of March and April in Japan. Wispy lilac wisteria waved and fragrant full-petaled roses bloomed on light May breezes. To top off the excitement of spring, Queen Elizabeth was visiting Tokyo! In her Sunday best, the white-gloved royalty planted an oak sapling as a gift from Great Britain at (the former) Emperor Hirohito’s Akasaka Palace (built in the style of Louis... Read More |
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Once upon a time, this blonde-haired Ninja Baking Goldilocks declared her love for American brownies. But in her heart of hearts, she knew something was missing. The bars lacked flavor. So, she searched high and low on her spice rack. Suddenly, she spotted three bottles of Asian spices. Carefully, she took down the bottles of Chinese Five Spice, Cardamom and Ginger. Each would need to be tested and tasted. So, in time for this week's... Read More |
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Shall We Dance? The Japanese film with the famous Rodgers & Hammerstein song as its title track made me want to dance. Do you have a song that motivates you?
Shall We Dance? a Japanese movie (with English subtitles)
was a big box office hit at many US art houses in 1996.
An American rendition of the film starring Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon
was released in 2004.
Today’s #SundaySupper theme... Read More |
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“Whoopie!” exclaimed the Amish farmer. In his lunch box was an Oreo-like treat made with leftover cake batter. That is one rendition of the origin of the Whoopie Pie.
The American classic Whoopie pie filled with espresso cream,
garnished with a chocolate espresso bean.
Many citizens of Maine disagree with this Pennsylvanian story. Apparently in 1925 Whoopie Pies were being sold at Labadie’s Bakery in... Read More |
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Sword in hand, a little boy sprang from a peach, bringing much joy to a barren grandma and her husband. They named him Momotaro. (Momo is Japanese for peach and Taro is a common boy’s name.) A sort of Robin Hood, this legendary folk hero stole back the gold from the devil’s lair. Justice and rewards for good behavior are strong themes in this story. But, it’s also about smarts and the power of yummy treats. Momotaro was able to... Read More |
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Go ahead. Confess. Instead of sampling the ambiguous cuisine surrounding you in your travels abroad, you chose a Big Mac at the Golden Arches. Understandable. McDonald’s offers certainty plus easy-on-the-pocketbook prices. You can exhale as you scan the menu; a parade of standards marching by…Until oh, so suddenly anomalies appear. In France, you probably saw Croque McDo (a cousin of the ham and cheese Croque Monsieur.) Or maybe... Read More |
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Love translates to food in so many languages. Meals are made with much care around the world. Yet – unwittingly – some people may be serving dishes that are making their loved ones sick. According to movies like this one found at YouTube: The culprits in many cases are products made with GMOs (genetically modified organisms.) Unfortunately, the American food supply has been flooded with GMOs (corn, wheat, soy and sugar products),... Read More |
