春雨 shun u (gentle spring rain) tanka

Today at dVerse Poets is Open Link Night – we post any of our poems we choose to without a prompt. Come join us!

copyright KanzenSakura

Spring Rain gently taps
Tender Green and begs a dance
While clover blossoms
On holiday enjoy a
Rainy day at Puddle Lake.

copyright KanzenSakura

Sumire – 澄玲 Voice of Jewels – tanka

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Today, Mary gives us the prompt of real beauty, savor it and share it. Click the link to learn more, and enjoy: http://dversepoets.com/2015/03/24/poetics-savor-the-beauty-and-share-it   Many times, we tend to look at the large picture of beauty: sunrise, sunset, the ocean, a forest, Mt. Fuji. As I am only 4’10” and close to the ground I have a different perspective. These small flowers speak to me in sumire 澄玲 – sound of jewels.

澄玲 =Sound of Jewels
The small shining things
of spring sing with the voices
of jewels hidden
in the jewel box of new
grass and faded autumn leaves

Thoughtful Thursday and haiku

Koyo 紅葉
leaves softly falling
watching them I think of you
I hold one to my lips

And my dear, you know who you are.    私はあなたのことをいつまでも愛すでしょう

Friday Fun and Saturday Smiles: Have a nice day!

A fun video today from my favorite Japanese robotic group, World Order.  I’ve posted vids from them before but they are usually serious.  This one is just for fun and giggles:  the guys out on the town, listening to CDs, eating street junk food, going to an ice cream parlor and flirting with the servers, cruising the mall, pie at an automated Japanese restaurant, getting light sticks in anticipation of going to a “sophisticated” girl show….lots of energy in the video and music.

So, have fun doing whatever you are planning on for the weekend and –  良い一日をYoi ichi-nichi o – have a nice day, nice day!!!

A few of the lyrics, translated for you:

HAVE A NICE DAY
Sunday morning flashed bright
Let’s go back to town today
Favorite jacket
Everyone’s waiting at the intersection

Today, HAVE A NICE DAY
Passing through this Love Pattern
Seems to disappear when I put it into words
My feelings are like bittersweet chocolate

So! Like a cloud passing overhead
I already know your answer
Passing sky told me “Shall we meet again?”
My love doesn’t reach anyway

良い一日をYoi ichi-nichi o

 

 

 

 

 

The Walk – A New Conversation – Hazakura

When last we visited this place,
it was during hanami.
He lay on the grass,
long legs stretched out,
eyes closed,
hands behind his head.
I sat and wafted my fan slowly,
watching the geese float
on the small pond
at the foot of the hill.
The cherry blossoms had long since
turned into thick green shade.
He asked:
Who was he?
I ignored him.
He opened his eyes.
Who was he?
My fan gently moved the air
and hid my face.
He sat up and plucked
the fan from my hands.
Who was he?
I turned to look at him.
Please return my fan, sir.
Not until you tell me, who was he?
I sighed. My Japanese is terrible.
Who was he? Who is he still?
Kare wa watashi no eien no aidearu (the love of my life).
Daitan futekina senshi (fearless warrior).
Odayakana hito (gentle man).
samurai.
Watashi no uchū (my universe).

He handed me my fan.
Your Japanese is fine.
He lay back down and closed his eyes.

And you are?
Samurai.
totemo nakano ii tomodachi (very close friend).
Watashi wa anata o sonkei (I respect you).
Anata wa watashi o shiawase na kibun ni naru (you make me feel happy).

He opened his eyes
and smiled.

Japanese Cotton Cheesecake

     

In the past, I have likened some desserts to a fairy princess, Southern Belle, expensive call girl, or empress.  This dessert is a prima ballerina – light, airy, delicate, but structured and sometimes difficult.  However, if handled correctly, you end up with a masterpiece.   This is a lovely dessert for any occasion.  With the advent of Spring, my heart (and tummy) turned to this dessert with longing.

Unlike heavy cheesy cheesecakes, Japanese cheesecakes are not as sweet and sort of a cross between a soufflé, a chiffon cake, a cheesecake.  “Cotton” in the name should tell you all you need to know.

IMPORTANT STUFF:  NO NO NO substitutions.  Use store-bought cake flour.  Use whole milk.  Butter, and superfine sugar.  If you can’t find any, grind some in your food processor or blender.  Sometimes superfine sugar is known as Bar Sugar.

Fold in well to ensure the whites are evenly distributed through the mixture.  Garnish with fruit or sifted cocoa or green tea powder.   A teaspoon of fresh lemon juice or vanilla can be added to the cooled butter, cheese, and milk mixture.

 

Japanese Cotton Cheesecake

9 oz. cream cheese (one 8 oz. brick plus 1 oz. of another brick)

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/3 cup fresh, whole milk

6 eggs, room temperature – whites and yolks separated

1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

1/2 cup plus 1/8 cup extra fine granulated sugar

1/3 cup plus 1 tsp. cake flour

3 tbsp. corn starch

 Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Melt cream cheese, butter and milk in a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water.  Stir occasionally to break up cream cheese and combine the ingredients.  Remove bowl from heat and allow to cool. Mixture will be thick.  If lumpy, use a whisk to vigorously beat the mixture until smooth. Set aside.

 When mixture has cooled, fold in the egg yolks, flour and corn starch.  Fold until thoroughly incorporated.  In a large bowl, whisk egg whites with an electric mixer until foamy.  Add the cream of tartar and mix again, gradually adding the extra-fine sugar a little at a time until soft peaks form.  Note: Soft peaks:  mixture should be white and opaque, and meringue will fall onto itself when the beaters are lifted from the bowl.

Add the cheese mixture to the egg white mixture and fold together until well incorporated.

Pour into an 8-inch round spring-form pan that has been lightly greased and lined (sides and bottom) with parchment paper.  Place a piece of aluminum foil over the top of the cake so it does not brown.

Bake in a water bath for 1 hour 10 minutes.  Set timer for 1 hour 10 minutes.  When timer sounds, bake for an additional 10-15 minutes with the oven door cracked.  Carefully remove pan from water bath and let stand until cake pulls away from the sides of the pan.  Remove spring-form ring,  let cool,  and serve.     Yield:  1 8” cheesecake

Versatile Blogger Award

 

This one actually came before the Best Moments Award.  I needed to think long and hard about the Most Versatile Blogger.  Sometimes my idea of things are waaaaay different from other’s.  Hence, probably some of you are thinking some of my choices for Best Moments are a bit odd.  Well, ODD is one of my middle names (along with Stubborn, Geeky, Lives in an Alternative Universe, A Bit Twisted -you catch my drift).

The same will be true of the Versatile Blogger Award.  But I am pleased with my choices.  I tried to choose new or bloggers who hadn’t racked up a bunch of awards already.  Please do check out the winners for both awards.  Find some new interests, different perspectives, cool stuff, funny stuff, inspirational stuff……maybe even a new friend or two.

THANK YOU to http://ajaytao2010.wordpress.com   for giving me this award.  His blog is worth checking out.  I like everything he chooses to share.  And the reason behind his choices I find typical of the way he is. Photographs, sayings, humor, inspiration, provocation of thought – all on his blog.  I am honored by his choosing me.

I told a friend about Versatile Blogger, and he says “Why, because you are a white southern woman writing about Japanese stuff?”  I said to him, “No, Dopey. it’s because I am a white southern woman writing about Japanese stuff, southern stuff, recipes, poetry, prose, Christian thoughts, and fun things.”

So that settles that.  My blog is a bit of a mish-mash of what is coming out of my head and heart at that moment.  I hope you will try some of the recipes – I’ve been on a Japanese jag for a bit so now it is time for me to go back to Southern.  Also, the poems aren’t the best in the world, but you may like some of them.  I thank all of you who read, like, follow my blog.  You all are the most versatile group of people I have ever met.  Keep your wonderful posts coming.  You are all special.

VBA Rules

If you are nominated, you’ve been awarded the Versatile Blogger award.

•  Thank the person who gave you this award. That’s common courtesy.
•  Include a link to their blog. That’s also common courtesy — if you can figure out how to do it.
•  Next, select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly. ( I would add, pick blogs or bloggers that are excellent!)
•  Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award — you might include a link to this site.
•  Finally, tell 7 things about yourself

1. 1.  I am part of a group of friends all born, in different years, on 11/16 within the timeframe of 5:00 am and 6:30 a.m.  I call this the 11/16 Society and have done various posts about it
2. I love Blue Bell ice cream (hooray, finally in Virginia!) esp. the banana split, the banana pudding, and the peach cobbler.
3. I’m afraid of spiders.  I think they are cool but I am afraid of them.
4. My Japanese is really really bad and I thank you all for putting up with me.
5. I’m not fond of chocolate
6. I wrote my first poem when I was four:  Rain. Rain. Rain.  Ducks like rain.  Sometimes I do.  Sometimes I don’t. Rain. Rain. Rain.
7. I like to ball room dance, especially standard tango and Viennese Waltz.

AND THE WINNERS ARE..in no special order…

 http://theverybesttop10.com/

http://matteringsofmind.wordpress.com/

http://serialoutlet.wordpress.com/

http://frugalfeeding.com/

http://team1million.wordpress.com/

http://cindyknoke.com/

http://nomadicpedestrian.wordpress.com/about/

http://biljanazovkic.wordpress.com/

http://ambitioninthecity.com/

http://mesayah.wordpress.com/

http://theevolutionofeloquence.wordpress.com/

And finally, the beginning of The Story of the Samurai and the Wren

     I have to say, the first time I saw him, I gasped.  I told my friend Jackie, “That is the most beautiful man I have ever seen.”  She looked over my shoulder at Daniel and said, “Yes he is one gorgeous piece of humaness….wish he’d dump you for me.”  I looked up at her in confusion and realized, we were not looking at the same man.  I turned.  “Oh. Him. this is our second date and I can say, it will be the last.  Total….and I meanTotal Jerk. In fact, this date is ending now.  One and a half dates – he’s history.”

Jackie laughed and said, “I love you!  Does Daniel know he has been dumped and are you going to point him in my direction to be comforted?”

“No, but when you see him act like the jerk he is, you will know he knows.  Get ready to be picked up.”

Daniel was beyond excellent with saber.  Seriously into epee’, saber, kendo….if it had any type sword, he was into it.  He was average height but blade thin and whip quick with wheat blonde hair he affectedly wore in a braid  – the kind that was anchored on top of his head and brushed above his shoulder blades.  He hoped it made him look like a Viking badass.

The man with whom I had become transfixed looked like he had stepped out of a time machine:  Tall for a Japanese, black hair pulled into a warrior’s knot, katana and wakizashi in his obi,  and dressed in a black silk umanori hakama. Later, when I was closer, I saw black on black embroidery of cherry blossoms.  I just sighed and shook my head.

I had been on one date with Daniel and when he asked me to accompany him to this competition, I was happy to say yes.  I had always been interested in such arts and was looking forward to watching the several hours this would take out of my day.  Daniel was the center of an adoring group – those impressed with his prowess, his good looks, – his whole being.  To this day I could never figure out why he had asked such a plain, short female to go out with him but in truth, I think it was because I made him look so danged good.  He was a Major Planet and I was but a satellite.  He gave a disdainful glance to the man sitting beside him in combatants row – he had never seen the Japanese man before and took him for a minor combatant  – one to be crushed and tossed aside while his friends and followers cheered.  Looking at the man, I had my doubts this would happen.  Daniel felt me looking and turned and snapped his fingers.  I pointed to myself, “Me?”  He motioned me over.  I stood there frowning….I’m not a dog. I’m not his lackey…..He snapped again and anticipating ugly, I decided to go.  To put an end to the ugly.

“Got to my car and get my bag. I forgot to bring it in.”

“You have 10 minutes, get it yourself. I want to get seated.”

Like a sidewinder, his hand shot out and grabbed the long braid of my hair and pulled me down close.  “get my bag.”  Another wrap around his fist and a stronger, more painful jerk.  “I need it.”  Well, what an empasse.  He’d continue to pull and if I wanted to continue experiencing pain, I’d try to pull away.   I didn’t want to make a scene.  I just wanted to be away.  I had already decided the date was over before this based on our first date but now, I was determined it be over.  Low voiced I said, “please let me go.  I’ll get your bag and bring it. Then I am getting a ride with Jackie or James and I am leaving.”  Another wind and jerk of my braid.  “You don’t end this, I do.”  I was finding the ugly side and rumor of Daniel to be uglier than I knew.

The man to his left turned and began to gently unwind my braid.  “No, I think I will be ending this.”  Soft voice, sure hands, calm demeanor.  I looked into his eyes – gentle as his voice but steady and kind – and steely.  He smiled slightly.  “Fly away tori hanashidesu (little bird).”  I stood and I could tell Daniel was enraged although he dared not speak.  I bobbed my head at the man in thanks and went back to the bleacher seating.  I told Jackie what had happened.  She rolled her eyes and said, “You realize of course, this means war?”  I sat with my arms folded on my knees.  “I hope the Samurai beats the crap out of the Viking.”  She shook her head.  “For such a little person, you make Big Trouble.”  I just shrugged.  Being two inches shy of five feet nothing, what could I say?  That I lived for trouble?  That I enjoyed antagonizing dangerous men?  To be honest, I tried to capitalize on being short by trying to have my shields up and to be invisible.  Oops.  Missed on that one this time.

We watched as men were paired off and the losers went to one bench and the winners to another.  It was of course, inevitable that the Viking and the Samurai ended up being last ones standing to spar.  A break and then the last match.  I stayed put.  I had caused enough trouble.  I was invisible.  I was tori hana-something or other.  I had flown – right.  In my dreams. Now I had become a target.  I told myself how stupid I was to put myself into such a situation.  I told myself that the gorgeous man had a gorgeous girlfriend/wife and was simply a rarity – a true gentleman and he didn’t like seeing women treated badly.  I kept looking at him and told myself…….in your dreams honey, in your dreams.  I was not living in one of those 1930’s romance movies, I was living in the big bad 80’s and fairy tales were no more.  At least I could look at him until I left the place….I didn’t hear anything Jackie was saying to me.  She nattered and I dreamed and looked.

The two men faced each other.  The crowd began that susurration that means:  Something Is About To Happen.  It appeared they had decided to use live blades, first blood wins.  Oh my.  Jackie looked at me – “Dumbass, dumb dumb dumbass,” she hissed.  Oh my my.  I wished myself away in another universe, hopefully being brain sucked by Darth Vader or something.

It was quick.  One would have almost missed it had not the crowd seen Daniel’s braid drop to the floor.  One pass of the katana, before Daniel barely had a chance to complete his blow.  it was over.  They stepped away from each other.  The Samurai hilted his sword with a soft snik and bowed slightly.  The Viking turned and stomped away.  I looked at Jackie, “If you want him, you’d better move.  The girls are gonna be on him now like white on rice to give him comfort.”  She took off running.  I was out of a ride but I didn’t care.  I’d call my roommate.  She had broken up with her girlfriend last week and was at home licking her wounds.  I was standing in line for the phone.  The gentle voice, “do you need a ride?  I seem to have……changed plans for you.”

I turned and looked up.  He was a lot taller than I.  I smiled.  “No, I changed that plan myself.  I can call my roommate.”  I saw then the black embroidery on black silk. That was when I sighed.  “Thanks anyway.”  I continued looking up at him.  “Oh and by the way, gorgeous hakama”  He blinked.  I hastened to explain.  “that’s all I know, trust me. And, what is….tori hana…..?”  “Little bird.  You look like a little wren, misosazai.”  he cocked his head.  “Misosazai, would you like to come and join me for tea and conversation?”

Okay, I knew variants of that line and it showed.  “On my honor, tea and talk.  After all, I saved your braid.” and then, “Mitsouko.”  I blinked.  He grinned.  “Your perfume, Mitsouko.”  “Yes, it is.”  and thus began The Story.  The story of the Samurai and the plain brown little wren.

永遠の愛 (Eternal Love)

She sat on the back steps of their house, the night

Warm and moist, like the bath she had earlier taken.

Black sky full of stars above, the koi pond , black and still below.

He came and sat beside her, missing her presence by His side.

“Can’t sleep?” She shook her head, her glasses

Reflecting ambient light.

Silence.

He took another tack.

“So, here is my shirt.  The mystery of the missing

Sakura Matsuri shirt is solved.”

Silence.

“You have on a shirt and no

Bottom.  I have on a bottom And no top.

What would the neighbors say?”

Silence.

And then bitterly she said:  “They would say, What

Is that extremely handsome

Japanese man doing with that

extremely ugly Caucasian woman?

Like I hear your friends whisper

When you cannot hear.”

He picked up the end

Of her braid and pulled off the tie.

Gently and patiently he

Unwound and spread her hair,

like a shawl, over her shoulders.

He looked up at the sky.

 He looked at her, small and hunched beside him.

He took her hair in his hands and rubbed his face against

Its silk.  He breathed in its perfume.

“I will love you until the stars come

To live in the night sky of your hair.

I will love you until they burn out and turn cold.

 I will love you until they turn to dust and

are blown throughout the entire

Universe.  I will love you with last my breath.

Watashi wa anata o eien ni aishimasu.”

She looked up at him and smiled.  “I can sleep now.”

He smiled and stood and reached for

Her hand.  “Then come and let us sleep.”

Quick Pickles – Quickles

I have been promising (and I know you all have just been waiting in deep anticipation) a treatise on quick pickles – quickles I call them. Some factoids: Cucumbers have been around forever and go back as far as Mesopotamia 2030 BC. Quickles are not marinated vegetables. They are brined or salted the same as long process (slowckles) are. The word pickle comes from the Dutch pekel which means salt or brine.

Quickles are a great way to use up some excess summer veggies, brighten up winter veggies, add a quick bit of zing to a dull meal, be a unique appetizer, or in some cases, add an authentic bit to an ethnic meal. Seasonings and vegetables themselves can give a local or ethnic flair. Add daikon to cucumbers and onion. Or add some curry to cucumber, onion, celery, red radish. Crushed mustard seed, turmeric, celery seed, and sugar make the ubiquitous onion and cucumber mixture quick bread and butter pickles (recipe in a previous Keep It Simple Saturday) post.

Quickles give much satisfaction with little effort.  They are great with sandwiches, sides for meat, rice….on their own.

Equipment is as simple or exotic as you choose: a colander, plate, weight or a specialized pickle press. I bought a dandy one at a local Japanese food store for $4.99. Ingredients are the same way: salt (uniodized or sea salt), spices, herbs, veggies. The process may take a few hours but you don’t have to babysit and can do other things. Once made, they will last for several weeks in the refrigerator. I do hope you all will experiment with quickles. They’ve been a part of my life since I was born. On a hot summer day, cucumber quickles from the fridge cooled and refreshed a hot little girl. Other kids could have a Koolaid freezer pop – I wanted quickles!! They are a regular feature now in my bento.

QUICKLE BASICS

Cucumbers (English, Kirby, Persian, Japanese) Peeled (if waxed) and very thinly sliced
Onion red or white, thinly sliced
Carrot thinly sliced
Radish red or daikon, thinly sliced
Cabbage – thinly shredded

Seasoning: bay leaf, mustard seed, turmeric, srirachi pepper, split Thai pepper, cilantro, garlic, sugar, salt, red pepper flakes, fresh cayenne, fresh jalapeno pepper, sesame seeds, toasted seaweed bits, ginger
Vinegar: cider, white, rice
Extra vegetables: turnip, celery, napa cabbage, zucchini, cauliflower

One Method: The above is my go to veggies for quickles. Add or subtract. It’s up to you to determine how many you want to make. I usually use a standard size cuke, a small or medium onion, a rib of celery, a carrot, several red radishes, about ½ c. sliced daikon, about ½ cup shredded cabbage. In a colander, toss well with several tablespoons of uniodized salt. Place sauce or plate, depending on size of colander and add weight to the plate. A half gallon empty clean milk jug or gallon jug of water works well. Place in sink or on another plate to catch liquid from vegetables. Vegetables will end up being limp but still crispy due to this process. Use a mandolin or sharp knife to thinly slice vegetables. Add seasonings of choice. ALWAYS use non-reactive pots, pans, bowls for vinegar/acid based foods.

Obviously, the vinegar and seasonings will determine the “flavor” of the pickle. I like a Japanese quickle to use with everything.

Recipe – Japanese Sunomono (sweet)

english cucumber

½ small onion

1 cup water

1/4 cup rice vinegar

1 tbsp kosher salt

2 tbsp sugar

1/4 tsp minced ginger

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients except the cucumber. Stir well to dissolve the sugar. Wash the cucumber and slice it very thin using a mandoline. Add it to the bowl of liquid, give it a good stir, and then take care to submerge all the cucumber slices. Refrigerate for at least half an hour (but no more than a couple hours) before eating. Drain before serving. Garnish with toasted seaweed and sesame seeds. To add another layer of flavor to this simple pickle, add about ¼ – ½ tsp. dashi soup granules and/or seeded and slivered chili pepper (not much for this amount of cucumber).
Japanese Sour Pickles
1/2 cucumber
1/6 carrots
7 oz. water
1 1/3 tsp. soy sauce
1/4 oz. (dried bonito)
5 oz. daikon radish
2 2/3 tbsp. vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. sugar
Sliced ginger
Combine vinegar, water, salt, sugar and soy sauce. Add bonito and sliced ginger and stir slowly until sugar is dissolved. Cut cucumber, daikon and carrot into strips. Put vegetables in a jar and pour the mixture over them. Let sit in refrigerator for a couple of days for flavors to blend. Keeps about 10 days.

Thai Quickles a friend gave me this recipe and she uses pounds for measurement
2 ¼ rice vinegar
½ pound onion sliced
1 pound carrots, sliced
1 pound cucumbers, sliced
4 green chilies sliced
2 tsp. salt
3 tbs. sugar
Put the vinegar in a non-reactive pan and heat. Add sugar and salt and stir to dissolve. Let cool. Put vegetables in a bowl and cover with vinegar mixture. Let sit for one half hour. Keeps in fridge for several days.

Quick Indian Carrot Pickle
5 medium carrots
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground mustard seeds
1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon mustard oil or olive oil
sliced green chili, sliced the long way

Peel the carrots and thinly slice them about 2 inches long (should be about two cups). Wrap the sliced carrots in a dry towel, ensuring the carrots don’t have any excess water. Mix all the ingredients together with the carrots and put in a glass jar. Keep the jar in the sun for a day. Pickle is ready the next day. Pickle can be refrigerated for about two weeks.

Quick Bread and Butter Pickle
(recipe posted in Keep it Simple Saturday Recipe post)

Eye candy and full moon madness

WARNING! EYE CANDLY ALERT!!! THIS IS A TOTALLY USELESS AND GRATUITOUS POST WITH NO REDEEMING QUALITIES!!! READ FURTHER AT YOUR OWN RISK. MEA CULPA,

I am blaming this on the boogie, the rain, the bossa nova, Rio….
Sunday evening, my late dear friend JT’s sister called and berated me for not coming to his travesty of a social occasion funeral. Traffic sucked Monday morning. My perfidious snake of a boss was lying in wait before I was even due to log in. When I opened my email, a good friend had emailed me a picture of a shirtless Takeshi Kaneshiro. I then read a post by a friend of what his “Opposite Day” would be. Now combine this with way too much coffee and you get – Total Full Blown Full Moon Madness Lunacy Meltdown. It only lasted an hour but it consisted of replying to my friend’s post (not publicly thank goodness for him). The storm, while short, was powerful.  I promise I’ll get back to my usual after this diversion….

The result of this is eye candy, including that shirtless photo. Not only is Takeshi Kaneshiro one of the most beautiful men in the universe, he is also an excellent actor. His profile is also….amazing. Love that nose of his. And that mouth….So in my madness, I am thankful for this gorgeous man and the ability to cream butter and sugar together – both are delicious.

(the pictures are from various sources)

This one started it….

The profile…..

Another profile….younger then but still love that nose

Oh yeah….definitely GQ  and sooooo intense

Call me a chilled can of pineapple and stick a fork in me…I’m done.  This from Chung King Express

Fried Tofu – For Beni

I really love fried tofu.  Sometimes, I dust with my special fried chicken seasoning and fry.  Mostly, I fix this simply.  I serve it with several dipping sauces, such as a sweet garlic chili sauce or soy flavored with slivers of ginger, sesame oil, and sliced scallion.  I personally just like it plain – hot and crispy on the outside, hot and almost custardy on the inside.  A member of the 11/16 Society shared this with me years ago.  It was one of our favorite appetizers to serve to visitors to our home.  Some may say this isn’t authentic Japanese, but since he is authentic Japanese, I beg to differ.

This is not the Japanese agedashi dofu, which is usually served with a dashi broth or a soya dipping sauce.  I suppose you could use these cubes in agedashi dofu.  My friend enjoys this but like me, he just liked the fried tofu – neat!

Servings: 4 appetizer portions

1 block extra firm or firm tofu

cornstarch for dusting

peanut or other high temperature oil for frying.

Press the tofu down, leaving something heavy (such as a cutting board stacked with your heaviest cookbooks) on top to squeeze out as much moisture as you can. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes and dust lightly with cornstarch before frying.

Pan-fry the cubes of tofu in a wok or medium, deep, heavy-bottom saucepan: Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the wok or pan or, come halfway up the side of a tofu cube and heat over medium-high heat until hot – about 375 degrees. Test the oil with one cube of tofu, adjusting the heat as necessary so the cube fries quickly but does not burn. Fry the cubes in a single layer, making sure the pieces do not touch, until crisp on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes total. Repeat until all of the tofu pieces are cooked; this may need to be done in 2 batches. I use chopsticks to turn and remove cubes.  Drain the pieces on a paper towel lined plate.