My Donabe

I'm absolutely in love with my new donabe! Calling it new though, isn't completely accruate. It's kind of a long story how I got it, but Obachan sent it to me and I sent her a bottle of Wisconsin maple syrup.

Japanese Curry Bento

This is the first time I made curry with beans and it was very good. I just used a boxed curry roux sauce mix and vegetables. Since I put potatoes in it, I figured I didn't need any other carb, so no rice.

I've been wanting to ride bike for a couple of years now, but I was unable to with my kids. This year though, my daughter has gotten good at riding a bike without much help from me. So, for my son's birthday (and my early Mother's Day present?) I bought him a bike trailer and a bike for me.

Unfortunately, I'm out of shape again, and the quick trip around the block yesterday was hard! While, our whole neighborhood is hills, there is a well maintained, relatively flat bike trail nearby. I'm really looking forward to getting outside more with my kids and getting exercise at the same time.

Oyakodon Bento Box

Oyakodon was one of the first Japanese recipes I tried. I forgot all about it and hadn't made it in months. This is the second time I've made it in the past week!

Oyakodon Recipe

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast (or 4 thighs)

1 cup chopped onions

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup sliced baby bella mushrooms

1 10oz package frozen spinach (or fresh)

4 eggs - beaten

1/2 cup soy sauce (subsitute low-sodium if you prefer)

3/4 cup mirin (sweet Japanese cooking wine)

1 1/4 cup water

3 Tablespoons sugar

1/4 cup sake (or white cooking wine)

Cooked rice

1) Combine soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.

2) Brown chicken; when about half cooked, splash with sake. Remove.

3) Put carrots in pan (do not drain after cooking chicken) and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water - cook until water evaporates. Add onions and mushrooms. You may need to add oil. Fry until onions are translucent.

4) Add chicken and cook a few minutes. Add remaining water to deglaze pan. Add soy sauce mixture. Top with spinach. Drizzle beaten eggs evenly on top. Cook until eggs are just set or slightly runny.

5) Serve with rice; spoon liquid over top. Enjoy!

Black Bean & Bell Pepper Pasta

Very easy to make!

Pasta
1 can of black beans
1 can of italian flavored diced tomatoes
1 bag of frozen bell pepper strips
Seasonings (this is the key!)

Cook pasta, drain and set aside. Put frozen peppers in frying pan to thaw/cook. Drain. Rinse black beans. Add beans and tomatoes to peppers. Season - I used a salt/pepper combo, garlic and herb combo (no salt), and sun-dried tomato basil combo (no salt). Enjoy!