March Hiatus

Hi everyone, 

This month, I'm knee deep in revision mode for my mystery PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY (releasing August, 2012), so I'm taking a break from the blog.


However, during March, I will continue to cook more Japanese food and to think about differences in my US. life vs. Japan life. 


For example, today's thought while showering:  
Why can't I get Pantene shampoo refill bags in the U.S. like I could in Japan? If we're all about recycling, why don't we do the refill bag? So many products were available in refill bags in the rest of the world. You buy the big bottle once and refill it. Simple, space saving, and economic.


Have a wonderful March. Here's to seeing you with the April flowers! 


And speaking of April flowers, we're going to attempt Ohanami, cherry blossom viewing, in our yard this year. For those of you who haven't experienced that in Japan, it's all about spreading a tarp, eating, and drinking under a full-bloom cherry tree. We'll discuss in April.


I would love to hear from you! Are you trying any expat recipes? Please share! And who else wants to give Ohanami a go outside of Japan?


Cheers,
Larissa

Quick & Easy Japanese Food: Mabodofu (Tofu & Ground Meat)

MABODOFU: HAVE YOUR MEAT AND EAT TOFU, TOO

Today I present a tofu dish, another Japanese dish brought over from China and Japanified. Mabodofu (dofu = tofu) is a common meal at home and in Chinese restaurants. According to legend (and Wikipedia), a Japanese chef made mabodofu popular at the first Sichuanese restaurant in Tokyo in the 1950s. In China, it's made with spicy chili bean paste. In Japan, the recipe was modified for the milder Japanese palette. It's so common now in Japan, you can buy the Hamburger Helper equivalent in a grocery store (which is pretty good). It is one of the few dishes that our youngest will pick over noodles, which is a startling revelation if you knew her.

See all the meat? If you're vegetarian,
use a ground Bocca Burger type product

Yet, it's tofu and I know what you're thinking. It's tofu. 

Listen, my family likes tofu, but I was raised in a Midwestern farm town where we ate meat every day. If you offered me a choice between grilled steak and grilled tofu, I would choose the steak. I am not here to convince you to hang out in the tofu aisles of Whole Foods. Mabodofu is not even a vegetarian dish, generally it includes ground pork (although you can use ground beef or other ground meats). It has a rich gravy, which gives the tofu a savory flavor. And you use firm tofu which has enough bite and texture that it feels creamy without being squishy. 

Believe me, I do not like squishy.

A Mabodofu mix
bought in an Asain grocery
in the U.S.

First, the Hamburger Helper way. Here's a picture of a package of Mabodofu mix. You can get them in Asian grocery stores at different heat levels. (Mild has absolutely no heat). This is super simple. All you need is about a quarter pound of ground pork, a package of tofu, and green onions (you can actually leave the green onions out). Make some rice, saute the pork, add the sauce and cubed tofu, and you are done. Aside from the rice, it takes about 10 minutes. 


I know. 10 minutes. I'd double the recipe for an American family, though. It will cost you about $6 for two packages.

I cut & drain my tofu, but notice
my lack of style. No squeezing necessary.

For those of you who would like more control over the contents of your meal (the mix probably has MSG), JustBento.com has a great recipe. I've looked at other recipes and theirs is the simplest I've found so far. My family loved it. The ingredients are also pretty easy to find: tofu, ground meat, onions, miso paste (the soybean paste in miso soup), garlic, ginger, crushed red pepper, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and water.


Go here for the JustBento.com recipe for Mabodofu.

Miso paste from U.S. Asian
grocery

I had never had onions in Mabodofu before, but they added extra flavor and texture. Sarah, the blogger who created this recipe, also used ground beef. Traditionally, the meat is ground pork, and I used ground pork when I made it. I also like the addition of miso. What's missing is the Chinese chili paste you normally see in Mabo recipes. The miso is used as sweet bean paste. 


I would NOT use a tablespoon of cayenne pepper unless you are a heat freak. I used a dash, which is plenty for my family's timid tastebuds. Sichuan Mabo Tofu is spicy, so let your tastebuds make your decision.