Tag: home cooking

Thanksgiving 2015

Thanksgiving 2015

I have 6 years of Thanksgiving blogs on Unrivaledkitch, which to me, shows my commitment to being there for my family and I am truly grateful that I have been able to take on this tradition for the ones I love and to share these 

Family Dinner in Vegas with Sweets from Jean Philippe Patisserie

Family Dinner in Vegas with Sweets from Jean Philippe Patisserie

I love this time of year! It’s so busy and crazy, but there is just so much love in the air that it makes all the craziness worthwhile.  I just got back from an impromptu trip to Las Vegas with Brandon. Brandon’s family lives in 

Happy Birthday Bachan

Happy Birthday Bachan

When I was a little girl, I waited all year long for the days when I could take a little break away from my brother, sister, and maybe even my mom and dad as well, and spend time with my Bachan in Pasasdena. Bachan (or obaa-chan) means Grandma in Japanese and my Bachan is the most caring, loving and strong person I know. Bachan’s birthday was on 7/21 and this year she turned 89 years young.  Last year was a very special birthday for her because in Japanese culture the number 88, when written, resembles the symbol for rice. The prominence of rice in Japanese culture is immense and rice symbolizes purity and goodness. The 88th birthday is celebrated as a joyous and happy occasion. We threw a wonderful party that I wrote about here for that very special day where I reconnected with the flavors of my childhood and Japanese culture.

This week I was lucky enough to be able to teach Kids Yoga in Pasadena to some amazing 6 and 7 year-olds, so naturally I saw it fit to spend some time with Bachan. We told stories, played jenga, watched TV, snacked on Mexican sweet bread and senbei (Japanese rice crackers), ate delicious food, took a walk to the market and went grocery shopping, but most of all, enjoyed each other’s company like I did so many times as a child. Those times, as well as these, are the memories I love; those nostalgic moments of pure love and happiness, things I’m so grateful to be able to experience as well as to have experienced. My Bachan is one of the largest inspirations I have for cooking. She taught me so many things in the kitchen, even though she’ll probably deny it to anyone who asks her. Her inspiration in my life is so prominent that on her birthday, I just really wanted to say thank you, Bachan, for everything.

Bachan knows that I cook often for everyone around me. She always made big meals for my dad and his two brothers and their dad (my Jii-chan) as well as cooking for extended family and friends. She always pats me on the back and says that I did so much work—in those moments I always feel proud.  Bachan wanted to make me dinner the night I stayed with her and I don’t think I could ever have said no. We had a delicious dinner of rice, chirashi, steamed broccoli, green beans and korokke (Japanese potato cakes filled with ground beef and fried in panko bread crumbs).  Everything was perfect. She brought out sauces and miso and it was just as I remembered it all. There’s something to be said about eating a childhood dish that hasn’t changed for over 25 years. I love you, Bachan! Happy birthday.

cheers

-Unrivaledkitch

One more before I fly away

One more before I fly away

I’m getting in a couple of entries because I’m sure I’m not going to have computer access much when I’m in North Carolina which is fine by me but i cooked a lot today and i would like to share a bit more of it 

Eat with your eyes

Eat with your eyes

Teriyaki style Steak skewers with bamboo shoots, pineapple slices, zucchini and white onion, Japanese radish and cabbage, spam musubi, California roll, cilantro almond pesto pasta salad with Roma tomato, roasted baked potatoes with sour cream and Parmesan… Cheers Unrivaledkitch

Latest Meals

Latest Meals


Blue Corn tortilla, spanish onion, black olive, and colby jack cheese Chili Roja enchiladas with mashed pinto beans and cilantro onion white Spanish rice

Chili Roja salsa

re-hydrating peppers


Red Cabbage and sweet white corn chowder

simple yum! Chicken with pan gravy and biscuits roasted carrots and mash

Gnocchi

Marinara

Sunomono

Beef, celery, and scallion wontons,potato croquettes, Chicken Katsu, tofu, white rice, and sunomono

Cheers

Unrivaledkitch