[Bethanyi]

Hey guys so this Friday I have organised a Japanese dinner night! Ohh yeh!
Has anyone ever made any before? I'm thinking I'll do a tapas style table spread so there's different choices

So far I'm planning of doing sushi and goza so far (never made them before so it's going to be a challenge)
I have a Japanese groceries store near my work so going to take a wonder there tomorrow to buy ingredient

Anyone had any previous experiences or good recipes I can steal

 

[Jedikeet]

Ahh did someone say Japanese? OISHII! That means YUMMY in Japanese.

I can definitely give you some suggestions on Sushi and Gyoza (pan-fried dumplings) but it will be a BIG challenge if you've never made them before.

Very important sushi basics - do you have a rice cooker at home? You'll definitely need that to make sushi rolls and the rice also needs to be cooked at certain temperatures and length of time to achieve the right taste and texture. You also need to use short-grain white rice (don't use long-grain) with the right amount of vinegar, salt, and sugar added. This only covers the rice preparation and the other ingredients are separate sciences to master.

As for gyoza, you need to marinate ground pork, cabbage, and onions as the filling, and of course gyoza/dumpling skin which you can buy ready-made. My mother can actually make the skin with flour by hand (which many Asian housewives of her generation can do).

Why don't you try these links and many others online that are pretty good for beginners with all the ingredients, sauces, and seasoning. I'm sure you'll soon be an expert Japanese chef with lots of practice.

How To Make Sushi | The Easy Way
Gyoza Recipe

 

[Bethanyi]

NICK!!! YEY!! such a good friend helping little scatter brains out

And yes that's what I meant the gyoza (auto correct) I LOVE them when I eat out I always get the chicken ones so really wanted to try to make them- I've done lots of research and feel pretty confident but the ingredients always change - some have more oils inside then others :s i also haven't seen the link you posted in my research so I'll check that one out.
Also you have now scared me about the rice! Haha - I was contemplating buying the ready done rice packs they sell here and you just pop them in the microwave? I Have no idea if they are any good but I'm only planning on making a small amount of sushi ...

I've also found a recipe for Japanese Cotten soft cheese cake - have you tried this before? Sounds LOVELY!!

Oh and there are these jelly ferrets with flowers in that are so so pretty!! Are they any good?

 

[Jedikeet]

...I was contemplating buying the ready done rice packs they sell here and you just pop them in the microwave? I Have no idea if they are any good but I'm only planning on making a small amount of sushi ...

I've also found a recipe for Japanese Cotten soft cheese cake - have you tried this before? Sounds LOVELY!!

Oh and there are these jelly ferrets with flowers in that are so so pretty!! Are they any good?

It's best to steam cook the rice yourself and you should NOT reheat anything in the microwave for sushi. Sushi rice should have a fresh, soft, steamy texture and microwaving it defeats that purpose. Sushi is all about freshness and they shouldn't even be served after they become a half day old.

I've not had the cotten cheese cake but you should try MOCHI, which is soft rice cakes with sweet red bean paste inside. Now that is a true Japanese dessert. The jelly is good too but I prefer Japanese Green Tea or Red Bean Ice Cream.

 

[Bethanyi]

Oh interesting!! Eeeekkk I'm so excited!! I have a lot of planning to do! Plus another reason to dress up :laughing:

The rice you do in the microwave is sealed in a container to create steam? I'm not sure but Im certainly nervous about cooking mine from scratch but I may try and give it a go! I have all Friday morning to prepare the food then I can pop them into the fridge until the evening ...
Mochi to me doesn't sound pleasant , I was going to make some but then read what they were made of and didn't think they sounded that tasty - so they are? Are they more in the savoury side then sweet?

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/339740365609851712/

Ohhh so many desert ideas!!! :laughing: I need more mains ideas

 

[Jedikeet]

So does 'dressing up' mean you're gonna dress up as a Geisha? I'd love to see that!

Whaddya talkin' about girl, Mochi is Super OISHI! The skin is also made from shot-grain glutinous white rice, which gives it a gummy texture - but it tastes great with sweet red bean paste inside...so don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

 

[Bethanyi]

My mum has a Japanese dress so think I'll borrow that (if it can be found) but probably not a Geisha... Depends on time I guess

Maybe I could see if the shop has any mochi to buy as I don't think I'd do the recipe justice if it's a delicacy !!

Thanks Nick :hug: I'll update you on how it goes

 

[milipidi]

I totally agree, that you need to make mochi. Super delicious and lots of fun.

A couple of other foods I loved when I lived there that would suit a dinner party were ..
Shabu shabu - cook it yourself streamboat style
Tempura with tsukemoni (pickled vege) as side accompaniment - there is just something about getting the tsukemono just right that lifts tempura to a whole new level
Soba Noodles and dipping sauce - a simple favourite

Good luck with the dinner. You now have me wishing I was back in Japan

 

[Bethanyi]

Oh wow you lived there! I'd love to just visit! But I'll have to save up!

I've literally just got back from the grocers and come away with lots and overly confused myself!! Haha

I'll update my post when I get home from work but thanks Li - I'll deffo have a look into your recommendations :hug:

 

[Jedikeet]

I totally agree, that you need to make mochi. Super delicious and lots of fun.

A couple of other foods I loved when I lived there that would suit a dinner party were ..
Shabu shabu - cook it yourself streamboat style
Tempura with tsukemoni (pickled vege) as side accompaniment - there is just something about getting the tsukemono just right that lifts tempura to a whole new level
Soba Noodles and dipping sauce - a simple favourite

Good luck with the dinner. You now have me wishing I was back in Japan

Ahh, now Li sure knows Japanese food. I can eat Shabu Shabu with Udon noodles everyday during the winter.

 

[milipidi]

Oh wow you lived there! I'd love to just visit! But I'll have to save up!

I've literally just got back from the grocers and come away with lots and overly confused myself!! Haha

I'll update my post when I get home from work but thanks Li - I'll deffo have a look into your recommendations :hug:

I had a great time when I lived there. Absolutely adored the food and met some wonderful people. Would love to go back one day when Master 4 is a bit older.

As for the food part, just take it one dish at a time and I am sure you will be fine. I shall look forward to hearing what you fnally decided on and how the evening went,

Ahh, now Li sure knows Japanese food. I can eat Shabu Shabu with Udon noodles everyday during the winter.

Shabu Shabu is most certainly a favourite, but it was the traditional Ramen bowls I got addicted to. I really should have paid more attention to what I was eating at the time, because I simply can't seem to replicate the delicate balance of flavours and hearty wholesomeness of the Ramen that I got in my backstreet restaurant

 

[Bethanyi]

So I'm back from work! Although I got slightly sidetracked with the budgies! They are defiantly on one today! Totally crazy haha! All six were flying around and wooshing past my face I had to lay down just in case I actually got hit and tomorrow id be sporting a black eye :laughing:

So here are my goodies!


The lady was SO kind and helpful, I showed her a few different recipes and she was able to just whip off and get the ingredients for me plus gave me so much advice - she even wrote down a great an easy way to cook the rice for the sushi! so I'm doing it from scratch Nick

So this is what I'm thinking for my menu...
>Sushi to begin with, vegetable and salmon ones plus I have some prawns so may attempt some of those too.
>chicken gyoza's
>Yakisoba - although now you mentioned your shabu shabu I'm thinking I could possibly do this instead but maybe just add noodles to it too? What do you think?
>chicken katsu curry

>Sakura- chrysanthemum jelly
>Japanese cheesecake (Cotten soft cheesecake)

I'm also going to have a look and see if I have the ingredients to make mochi.
I also nearly bought green tea ice cream but it would have defrosted while I was at work

What do you guys think!?

Here are a few of the recipes I'm following;
Yakisoba | Easy Recipes at RasaMalaysia.com
My Breast Cancer Scare | House of Annie
Japanese Cheesecake - Easy Recipes at RasaMalaysia.com

 

[ImaPrettyBird]

Antique Japanese bronze vase with budgie

My mouth is watering at your menu. I haven't any food recommendations, but your post reminds me of a listing for a lovely Japanese bronze vase with parakeet that I saw recently. It would have made a nice centerpiece. Best of luck on your party!

JAPANESE L. 19TH/E, 20TH CENTURY BRONZE PARAKEET VASE BY TAKAHASHI RYOUNSOLD - Oriental Treasure Box

Lady Anne, Hermes, Miss Coco, and Casper :budge::budge::budge::budge:

 

[Bethanyi]

My mouth is watering at your menu. I haven't any food recommendations, but your post reminds me of a listing for a lovely Japanese bronze vase with parakeet that I saw recently. It would have made a nice centerpiece. Best of luck on your party!

JAPANESE L. 19TH/E, 20TH CENTURY BRONZE PARAKEET VASE BY TAKAHASHI RYOUNSOLD - Oriental Treasure Box

Lady Anne, Hermes, Miss Coco, and Casper :budge::budge::budge::budge:

Thank you hopefully it'll turn out alright... Haha
Oh wow! That's beautiful! ... I've seen a few really nice Japanese pottery with budgies on too!

 

[Jedikeet]

Ahh very nice round up, Bethanyi-chan (Miss Bethanyi). Don't forget the wasabi.

You should also get some fresh maguro (raw tuna), salmon eggs, imitation crab meat, mayonnaise, and avocado to make 'California Rolls' if you really wanna impress me...oh and some Sake too!

 

[Bethanyi]

Ahh very nice round up, Bethanyi-chan (Miss Bethanyi). Don't forget the wasabi.

You should also get some fresh maguro (raw tuna), salmon eggs, imitation crab meat, mayonnaise, and avocado to make 'California Rolls' if you really wanna impress me...oh and some Sake too!

:wow: I have avocados but that it - already spent too much on food and it's only three of us eating oh and I'm not a wasabi fan

But maybe next time!! I told my dad that if this all goes well I'll cook him and mum a nice Japanese valentines dinner

Oh and unfortunately we couldn't find mums dress it was such a good expensive one too! So that's a shame but I'm stealing her Japanese dressing gown which I'm going to try to make a bow around it

OHHH OHHH and when looking for the dress we found a sushi kit mum bought years ago and you can make heart shaped sushi with it !! :wow: so hopefully it'll come out really well!!

Thanks again for all the help - I'll be sure to post lots of photos of the night! :hug:

 

[kcladyz]

Yum I love japanese food

 

[milipidi]

Sounds delicious! Up to you on the Shabu Shabu, and yes you can have the noodles with this dish.

 

[Bethanyi]

I've had a busy couple of days so only just uploaded all my photos! The dinner party was a great hit! and the food was yummy!

Thanks for all the advice and help! I'll be doing another one for sure and making some of the mochi !










all together a brilliant night

 

[milipidi]

Looks like you had lots of fun