Cherry Blossoms -Sakura in Tokyo 2008

A beautiful night view of the cherry trees in full bloom in Naka-Meguro Tokyo, photo from the Japan Today website.

Cherry Blossom season has arrived early in Japan this year. This weekend (March 29/30) is the peak in the Tokyo area. In addition to arriving earlier than usual, the blossoms have opened fast and are not going to last as long as they usually do, because we are having some nice warm weather (warm for this time of the year, yay! I think winter is done!).

Today, after lunch, we took Daisy for a walk alongside a river nearby us that is lined with Cherry trees. It is a good place for us to see some cherry blossoms with out too much effort/traveling and it is void of any of the drunken crowds you might find elsewhere in Tokyo, such as along the Sumida river. Traditionally, Japanese enjoy sitting under the cherry trees to have an afternoon picnic, which may include quite a bit of alcohol for some. This area near us tho is quite subdued and a nice walk around. Daisy had alot of fun and she ate a few cherry blossoms that had fallen to the ground.

Hope you enjoy the photos!

Miss Daisy Ipo, cherry blossom girl

The 'weeping' style branches of this tree is so pretty! The traditional chochin (paper lanterns) are hanging in the trees to announce the cherry blossoms (as if you didn't notice them), it is pretty at night when the chochin are lit up. Can you see Daisy walking on the sidewalk in the right side of the picture?

Some picnics going on alongside the river under the gorgeous trees.

Some vendors selling food and drinks from their temporary stalls.

Me and Daisy, she is sniffing the air, trying to figure out the smells when we just arrived.

Ken and Daisy standing under the pink 'umbrella' of the cherry trees.

Daisy and I standing on one of the old wooden bridges that crosses over the river. She is standing up to try and see a dog that was on the other side of a hedge. She often stands like this to try and see over things or to reach something. She can stand like this for quite a bit of time! We are thinking of trying to teach her to walk upright!

Baked Rosemary Lemon Turkey Meatballs

In the oven, ready to start baking.

Here's a recipe for some meatballs I have been making lately and really enjoying. They are very versatile and can be frozen for a quick meal later!

Serve plain or with a sauce such as hollandaise or a cream sauce like Ikea’s Graddsas sauce (which I used today). You may also use these meatballs in pasta dishes such as spaghetti.

Rosemary Lemon Turkey Meatballs

16 oz. (450 grams) ground turkey meat
1 1/2 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp. dried rosemary)
1 tbs. lemon zest, plus
1 tbs. fresh lemon juice
Coarsely ground salt and pepper
Olive oil spray

In a large bowl mix turkey meat, panko, egg, garlic, rosemary, lemon zest & juice, salt and pepper (add salt and pepper according to your taste, I use about 1/2 tsp or so of each, maybe alittle more of the salt).

Mix just until combined (do not over-mix). Using your hands works best.

Roll into balls (sized about 1 ½ inches/3.5cm around). Place, slightly apart, on baking sheet (use one with edges so juices don’t mess up your oven while cooking). You can line the baking sheet/dish/pan with aluminum foil or a Silpat mat if you like.

Spray very lightly with olive oil (I use a refillable oil sprayer from Williams-Sonoma, click here to buy online) and bake in the oven at 180 C/ 350 F for about 20- 25 minutes.

All the ingredients, ready to mix together.

I have a handy spout that screws into a fresh lemon, just squeeze the lemon and pour the fresh juice out, keeps the seeds out of the juice too!

Mango Coconut Tapioca dessert

Have you ever tried those stands/kiosks in the mall or somewhere else that are selling the fruity, tea or coffee drinks with huge tapioca balls in the bottom of the cup and a big fat straw to suck them up with? Usually called Bubble Tea or Boba Drink, here is a picture:

There is a little shop selling these drinks now at the mall near us (LaLa Port at Minami Funabashi), and we got some a couple weeks ago. That got me thinking about tapioca, even though, as a kid, tapioca repulsed me, or perhaps it was just tapioca rice pudding I didn't care for.

So, as usual, missing tropical flavors while in Japan has lead me to come up with another recipe. This one is a dessert using mango and coconut with small tapioca pearls. If I could have found the huge tapioca balls like in the photo above at the supermarket here in Japan, I would have made this dessert with those, but just finding regular small tapioca pearls here was a bit of a hunt, finally found some at the 3rd supermarket I tried. If I ever do find the huge ones, I will try this again with them, I think it would turn out to be even more 'fun'.

So, here is my recipe. Hope you enjoy if you try it.

Mango Coconut Tapioca Pearl dessert

1/2 c Tapioca, dry
2 cups Water
2 1/2 teaspoons Somersweet (or to taste) or other sweetener which equals approx. 1/4 c. sugar
4 oz/150 grams canned Evaporated Milk (or if using Sweetened Condensed Milk, reduce sweetener above to taste)
1.5 lb fresh Mango (or frozen chunks)
1/8 teaspoon Coconut extract/flavor
1/4 c Shredded Coconut (optional)
Mint leaf (optional)

Soak the tapioca pearls in 1/2 cup of the water for 30 minutes. Cut the Mango into large cubes/chunks or if using frozen Mango, defrost completely. Place into a blender or food processor and process VERY LIGHTLY to a chunky sauce consistency.

Boil the remaining 1 1/2 cups of water. When it begins to boil, add the tapioca pearls, including the water they were soaking in. Stir and cook for 10 minutes or until the tapioca becomes translucent. Turn off the heat and add the sweetener and milk. Cool to room temperature. Add the mango, coconut extract and shredded coconut. Pour into an attractive serving dish or into individual serving dishes, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Top with fresh mint leaf when serving if desired.

Yummy!

Hawaiian Flora and Fauna photos

Here are some more pictures of the beauty of Hawaii, flora and fauna. Especially dear to us is the Nene, the Hawaiian Goose which is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It was named the state bird of Hawaii in 1957. The Nene is the world's rarest goose.

Once common in Hawaii (prior to 1778, when Capt. James Cook arrived, it is said that there were about 25,000 Nene), hunting and introduced predators such as mongooses, pigs and cats reduced the population to 30 birds by 1952. The Nene's nest is particularly vulnerable as it nests rather haphazardly on the ground. Thankfully the Nene breeds well in captivity, and has been successfully re-introduced. In 2004 it was estimated that there were 500 birds in the wild (and good numbers in wildfowl collections). It is easiest to see wild Nene flocks on Kauai where there are no mongoose (the only island void of the mongoose).

The "Nēnē" gets its Hawaiian name from its soft call. My husband and I think it sounds like such an endearing tired and sad little 'honk'. We LOVE to meet Nene and hear their voices. We met one at the Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo in Hilo (on the Big Island) that came up to the edge of it's enclosure and just honked up a storm for us for quite some time. She/He was such a sweet little goose, very friendly but probably because it was being kept in captivity.

These Nene can be seen enjoying living at the inner gardens at the Kauai Marriott Hotel. We went there to eat at one of our favorite restaurants in Hawaii, Duke's , named after the famed 'father of surfing' and all around super interesting Hawaiian guy, Duke Kahanamoku. We recommend you try Duke's Kauai location if you go to Kauai. Say hello to the Nene for us!

Anthurium in a beautiful pink color.

Some fishes we were snorkeling with one day while on Kauai (image caught with my new and fun underwater camera). The darker fishes are Black Triggerfish, called Humuhumu'ele'ele in Hawaiian, and are cousins of Hawaii's state fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa (Humuhumunukunuku for short, ha ha ha).A gorgeous tree on a golf course on Kauai

One of our favorite little doves in Hawaii, the Barred Dove (introduced to Hawaii in 1922). They have such a sweet little call, that is nice to hear in the morning. We think it sounds like they are sometimes saying "not at all". This is one of the things I miss when I am in Japan. There is something soothing to me having these little doves around everywhere.

Sweet smelling white plumeria flowers, filling up the air with loveliness, another thing I miss when I am in Japan.

A very colorful Gecko which I have only seen in the Kailua-Kona area of the Big Island(where this photo was taken) but it probably lives elsewhere unbeknownst to me . Doesn't it look like it's smiling?

Hibiscus flower photos from Hawaii

While in Hawaii, I often take photos of flowers. Here is a collection of Hibiscus flower photos that you might enjoy. The varieties seem to be endless!

Soy Lilikoi Lassi - healthy and no added sugar

We enjoy Indian Lassi drinks when we go out for Indian food. Recently, I discovered a very delicious soy yogurt at the Japanese supermarkets and started making soy yogurt Lassi with no white sugar at home. One of our favorites is Lilikoi flavor (Passion Fruit). Yet another yummy way to use lilikoi juice concentrate from Aunty Lilikoi's! Here's the receipe!

Soy Yogurt Lilikoi Lassi

*Makes approximately two 10 ounce glasses

Handful of ice cubes (as desired)
1 cup cold water
½ cup soy yogurt, plain
¼ cup lilikoi juice concentrate
1 ½ tbs Somersweet (or other sweetener, to taste)

Put the water and ice cubes into a blender, then other ingredients in the above order. Blend for at least 30 seconds.

Pour into glasses and enjoy!

An Alan Wong's anniversary dinner

This year, we celebrated our anniversary by having dinner at Alan Wong's in Honolulu. It was our 7 year anniversary! Time sure flies when you having fun!

From time to time, we go to the Alan Wong's in Tokyo (at the Ikspiari Shopping center located in front of Tokyo Disneyland) which is very close to our home in Japan. There are many things missing from the menu at the Tokyo location that are available only in Hawaii. Obviously, fresh Hawaiian fish would be hard to have available at the Tokyo location (on a regular basis anyway, there are times when Mr. Wong brings over something special).

This being said, the food is fabulous in Tokyo as well as Hawaii. The Tokyo location is also a bea-u-tiful feast for the eyes when you walk in (check out the pictures when you click on the link above)! The King Street restaurant in Honolulu is the original location and to me, is "Alan Wong's". I love the relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere and the down to earth yet professional manner of the people working there.

This time, I ordered my favorite Hawaiian fish, Opakapaka. It is getting harder to find these days so I was pleased to be able to indulge, on this our 2nd to the last night in Hawaii (and not finding it on the menu of anywhere else we dined the previous 12 days in Hawaii). It was prepared pan steamed, with Shrimp Pork Hash, Truffle Nage, Gingered Vegetables and Tapioca Pearls.

Opakapaka is commonly known as Crimson Snapper or Hawaiian Pink Snapper even though it's skin is a light brown color. They are usually caught at depths between 30 to 100 fathoms. It is found throughout the tropical Pacific, but it doesn't grow as large as it does in Hawaii anywhere else. A 12 -18 pound fish could be around 10 years old!

Last year, there was a 5 month emergency ban on bottom fishing in Hawaiian waters. Click here to read an article on this past ban. Deepwater snapper in Hawaii have been commercially exploited since the early part of the century. Efforts have been and are still being made to make changes in the fishing methods of the past, so that many of Hawaiian fishes, not just Opakapaka, can be saved.

Here is a picture of our friend the Opakapaka

Back to our anniversary....

I guess I was so excited getting ready for our 'date', that I ended up forgetting to bring my camera, so the only photos we could get at the restaurant were from Ken's cell phone camera. The quality is not very good as you will see. I also have included here a couple of other photos we have pulled off AW's website, etc.

Ken had for his entree, a yummy seafood steak (mixed seafoods made into a steak type patty, sorry I don't have the official description of this dish).

We started off with Alan Wong's famous Poky Pines. They are essentially, deep fried Wonton skins with Ahi poke inside. They sure make a striking appearance on your table! Here is a picture of them from my "Chefs of Aloha" cookbook.

Alan Wong's "Poky Pines", a signature item on the menu

The special and thoughtful Anniversary wish dessert plate for us from the restaurant. A frozen chocolate Tiramisu with fresh Roselani (from Maui) vanilla ice cream on the side.

WOW this was the most interesting and delicious dessert I have ever had, or right up there with the top 5! The 'coconut' shell is made entirely of chocolate sprinkled outside with toasted coconut shavings. The white inside is coconut ice cream (Haupia Sorbet), with fresh fruits and Lilikoi (Passion Fruit) sauce. Be sure to order this if you go! This is the picture we took with Ken's cell phone, but below is an 'official' photo of it from AW's website.

Alan Wong's - King Street
1857 South King Street, Third Floor
Honolulu, Hawaii 96826
808-949-2526
*Reservations are a must

Alan Wong's Japan
(at the Tokyo Disney Resort, Ikspiari)
1-4 Maihama
Urayasu, Chiba 279-8529
047-305-5630 (dialing from within Japan)

Windsuring on Maui - February 2008

Having a good time

While on Maui, Ken enjoyed a day of Windsurfing. Action Sports on Maui offers windsurfing lessons, or equipment rental to go on your own, at Kanaha Beach, near the Kahului airport. This beach often has the right amount of wind for windsurfing and kite surfing. The instructors are great and you can even get out there if you have never windsurfed before!

Click here to go to Action Sports' website and get alot of detailed information about Kanaha Beach itself!

Looks like Ken had a lot of fun doesn't it?

The different windsurfing groups getting instruction and readying to go out

View of the place at Kanaha Beach where the windsurfing instruction takes place

Ken, starting out from the beach

Windsurfer Ken

Windsurfer Ken

Windsurfer Ken

Hauling the equipment up to the beach at the end of the fun

Views of Maui - February 2008

My favorite view of the West Maui Mountains

Here are some pictures from our recent visit to Maui. It was such beautiful weather while we were there. The photos of whales are from 2 separate whale watches we went on.

When I look at these pictures, I can only think to myself "Maui no ka oi" (and "I'm in Japan instead of Maui because.... why is that again?").

View of Kaaholawe from Makena area

This little Zodiac was a blast! It was really fun being real close to the water.

View of West Maui Mountains from the Zodiac boat

The ocean so still that it is reflecting the clouds in the sky above like a mirror!

A whale swims slowly by us off of the shore of South Maui

A Mama whale very near our Zodiac boat!

A whale playing "eye spy"! This whale kept slowing popping it's head up out the water over and over. Was it looking at us on the boat?

Mama and baby whale lazily floating around near our boat

A Honu (Hawaiian green sea turtle) pops his head up near the shore in Kihei

Another Honu coming up for air

Big Beach in Makena. Wow it was such a beautiful day here!

View of Ulapalakua area on the slopes of Haleakala from the lava fields south of Makena

The firetrucks in Maui are yellow.

It looks like the moon, but it's really the top of Haleakala (as seen from the visitor center at the summit of the crater).