Baked Niku-man

Nikuman is a Japanese steamed bun,though I bake it and they are delicious.I am almost sure everybody has the ingredients below in the fridge, ad if you havent tried shitak mushrom.....you better start NOW!!!hoishi

• 150 gram mince beef or minced Turkey
• 4 spring onion
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 4 shitake mushroom
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 4 tablespoon oil for frying
• 1 tablespoon Japanese soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh Ginger

For the dough:

• 2 cups self-raising flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 large Egg
• 1/2 cup water

1. Mix all the dough ingredients  (mix the dry ingredients first and then add the wet ingredients), knead to a sot dough and shape to a ball.
2. cover with clingfilm and chill in the fridge for at least one hour.
3. Finely chop all the vegetables and stir fry in 4 tablespoon of oil , until the vegetables change color.
4. Add the meat, salt, pepper, sesame oil, soy sauce,ginger and the sugar- cook for a few more minutes and set aside.
5. Preheat the oven to medium heat -180 Celsius degree.
6. Take the dough and divide it into 8 pieces.
7. Flatten each piece with your hands and roll out the pieces into circles of 0.5 cm. thickness (about 15 diameter).
8. Put a large spoonful of filling in the center of the circle, run a wet finger round the outside of the dough and then pinch and gather together in the center.
9. Put the Niku-man on a baking sheet in a baking dish and  bake for20-25 minutes-serve hot.

Very Nutrilicious muffins

 

 

I don't really know how much my son eats at Kinder-garden, and he loves food, so I make these wonderful Muffins every three days, and he eats one every morning-now I am relaxed......its a very healthy muffin, and  its flavor is delicate, not very sweet and full of carrot and apple and more surprises.

• 0.75 cup wholewheat flour
• 0.75 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup oatmeal bran
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon  baking powder
• 1 teaspoon  salt
• 2 teaspoon  cinnamon
• 3/4 cup whole-milk
• 2 beaten large eggs
• 1 teaspoon  pure vanilla essence
• 2 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 cups grated carrot
• 2 grated green apples
• 1/2 cup dry shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 cup finely chopped walnut

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease muffin pan or line with paper muffin liners.
2. In a large bowl, sift flour, oat bran, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
3.  Add the milk, eggs, vanilla and oil; mix until just blended. Stir in the carrots, apples, raisins and walnuts. Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full with batter.
4. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

 

My Carla Meatballs

 

Carla is my Mother in law. She is originally from Romania, and she makes the best meatballs I have ever tasted. Children adore it,ad they are full with vegetables. I like to coat them with Panco -Japanese  from breadcrumbs.  After frying it a bit, they turn into a delicate crust from the out side and soft flavorful meatballs on the inside. Try it -you will want more

• 300 minced Beef
• 300 minced Turkey
• 2 medium eggs
• 1 large carrot
• 1 large Zucchini
• 1 large Onion finely
• 2-3 garlic minced
• 1/2 cup Parsley finely chopped
• 3 slices of Challa Bread soaked in water ,strained and finely chopped
• Salt & Pepper.
• 1 Tablespoon Sweet Paprika.
• Panco -Japanese  Breadcrumbs for coating

1.  Chop the Onion and fry it a bit in a covered  frying pan on a low heat- we need it  soft and a bit caramelized .Turn the heat off and  let it cool.
2. Grate the Carrot and Zucchini, and squeeze it between your hands so it will stick well to the meat mixture,  take all the liquids out and put in a a large ball. mince the garlic and add to the mixing ball.
3. Add the Challah and Parsley and mix it all together. Beat the Eggs with the spices and add to mixture together with the minced meat. mix with your hands .Add the onion and continue mixing until well blend.
4. The best meatballs come out when this heavenly mixture set for a few hours in the Fridge , covered of course 3-4 tablespoon of oil in a pan, and heat it on a medium heat.
5. Fill Half a soup ball with the Panco. and with your hands shape  your meatballs  medium size and then coat them in the Panco, fry it from both sides, cool on a plate with paper to soak the oil.

You can eat it hot,cold,put it in tomato sauce-whatever!!!! Try it!!!! 

why a dot in the heart?

 

Dim Sum means: a Dot in The Heart. Cooking and baking makes little Dots  in my heart everyday.

I chose this name for my blog because the first cuisine that made me fall in love with food was Asian.  I was

fascinated by the flavors that my tongue slipped into...sweet & sour ,spicy& sour or sweet....

I began with Chinese food as you could guess, my mom had a Chinese cooking book every opportunity , I tried some new recipes.

I always felt japan was one of the first places I want to travel to. probably because of its delightfullness. May be because its very nice to know that some cultures acknowledge different values, than in the west- Its good for the balance in this crazy world.

I want to share with you all my food choicee amm and cravings,yeahh, I do have theseoccasionallyy it lasts for 2 days before I get to work, and researching a few books or net recipes.

I hope you'll have fun too!!