Tag Archives: Japanese

Mini Eco: A Craft Book By Kate Lilley Review

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Crafting has become huge in recent years, accumulating in a billion pound industry. The recession has only added to the craft industry, people want to be creative and want nice things without paying over the odds. Which is one of the reasons, other than her tremendous talent, that Kate Lilley’s craft blog www.minieco.co.uk has over 250,000 followers and is now a cult phenomenon in the craft industry.

Mini Eco craft book

MiniEco: A Craft Book has a selection of 31 craft projects. Kate’s crafting style is Japanese-influenced – lots of paper crafts and a clean, minimal aesthetic. The book has amazing photography and production effects. I love the cleanness of her designs; minimalism at it’s most beautiful.

miniecocraftbook

The 31 how-to projects are very clearly laid-out. This book makes crafting easy, even when the project looks hard. Craft projects include Hama bead candle holder, furoshiki cloths, and macrame samplers, as well as Kate’s infamous paper crafts – paper gems, crackers, banners and an incredible origami lampshade.

I love this craft book for a number of reasons; the craft projects are beautiful and original, the step-by-step guide makes it all very easy, and there is hours of fun to be had. Mini Eco would make a great Christmas present for the crafter in your life.

MiniEco: A Craft Book can be bought here

Clearspring Japanese food

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With a brand name inviting thoughts of fresh and healthy ingredients, it was no surprise to learn the Japanese Clearspring food range is 100% organic and all vegan.

 

Now, I’m just going to come out with it – I have a love hate relationship with Japanese food.

 

I love sushi, noodles and tempura batter, but I’m afraid my palette isn’t quite accustomed to squidgy, spongy tofu or the sharp taste of Sake.

 

However, I was happy to take on another culinary experience at the Clearspring 20th anniversary event at Ice Tank, Soho, on Friday evening for the launch of Miso soup on the go and Matcha green tea powder.

 Clearspring Japanese food Geisha green tea miso soup

Miso soup on the go comes in a handbag-friendly 8g sachet and you just need to pop it in a cup and add hot water.

 

It was surprisingly refreshing and filling (it had tofu pieces and I promise, I did try a few before fishing them out), but the best part is that it counts for a measly 29 calories of your daily allowance, perfect for a quick and light snack.

 

Now, the Matcha tea was the star from the evening. It’s unlike any tea I have ever seen or tasted. It’s green tea but in powder form – the tea leaves are grown in the Uji region of Kyoto, Japan, before they are finely milled to create a loose powder.

 

Just a quarter of a teaspoon whisked with hot water creates a revitalising and intense green tea flavour. Just don’t be put off by the pond-weed colour in your cup; it’s meant to boost energy levels and your metabolism rate and has been drunk by Buddhist monks for over 900 years during tea ceremonies and days of meditation.

 

Clearspring has a vast range of products which were showcased on the evening: fruit purees, Amazake sweet grain dessert, seasonings such as soya sauce, Teriyaki sauce and sesame oil; as well as sea vegetables including Kombu (good for soup stock), Wakame (good for Miso soup and salads) and Hijiki (black flavoursome strings).

 

Plus there’s also a good selection of rice and noodle dishes: Udon (thick and flat wheat noodles), wide Udon, brown rice Udon and Soba noodles (made with buckwheat and wheat flour giving a nutty taste).

 

It was a pleasant evening with cooking demonstrations and sushi tasting, and the traditional tea ceremony and Kimono dress-up area were also real hits complementing the authentic Japanese food products. 

 

Already stocked in major supermarkets, Clearspring has just launched their products for the online market. See www.clearspring.co.uk for more information.

Wabi London | Restaurant Review

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I love Asian food. So reviewing Japanese restaurant Wabi was a highlight of my week.

Wabi is a tranquil, stylish and classy restaurant that feels like it is a million miles away from the hubbub and stress of London. It is two minutes walk from Holborn station. I really love the relaxing and elegant decor. The waiter has worked at other Japanese restaurants in London and says that the chef at Wabi is better and more original. They are trying to do something different and create an experience. So far they are achieving it. Now for the food and drinks.

photo(23)We arrived and have a cocktail each. I have the Mexico Sixty Six (Passion Fruit, Cabrito Reposado Tequilla, Vanilla, Black Pepper infused Shochu) and my colleague has the Sugarplum (Honey, Akashi-tai Umeshu, Thienot Brut Champagne) The cocktails are delicious and look amazing. Wabi would be a great place to come and have cocktails with friends or even business associates. The Mexico Sixty Six has the Japanese version of cola in it and packs a peppery punch. It is tasty and different and the ingredients work well together. The Sugarplum is soft and subtle in an ice cold glass. Tasty and refreshing. We then go on to the 10 course tasting meal.

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Otsumami/Snacks

Fire roasted edamame, smoky scratchings & sweet and sour nasu

We start with these wonderfully fire roasted edamame. I love edamame anyway but these are extra delicious and come with pork scratchings and a great sweet and sour nasu. A really great sauce.

We had Weegmullen 2009 Riesling Mandelring at the start of our meal. An interesting German white wine which you might think was sweet but isn’t. It was brave of the waiter to recommend this as it makes you think first and then you like it. It was an excellent choice that went well with the meal.

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Crunchy Temaki Cone

Toro, Wasabi Cream and Charcoal Onions

These are amazing. The waiter tells us to take a cone with some sauce and then dip it in the volcanic salt. Yum. A great mixture of taste and texture.

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Seabass Sashimi

Served with home-made yuzu koji

The seabass was perfect. I have had a lot of seabass in restaurants and this is high in quality and wonderful. It was exciting to tr y the homemade Koji. Koji, if I’m not mistaken, is fermented cooked rice and or soya beans. Koji is at the heart of Japanese cuisine and is used to make soya sauce, miso and sake. Hear it added a nice kick to the seabass and chef should be rightly proud of his/her creation. It was an original and new experience.

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Yellowtail Sashimi

Smokey Nasu and Yuzu Bubbles

This is one of Wabi’s most popular dishes. I can see why. It is just so different. For one, it’s fizzy on top, which is the Yuzu bubbles. This is definitely something to try. It tastes great and so is the texture. That along with the bubbles on top make it a wonderful dish. This dish shows that Wabi are original and are always trying to excel. I am impressed by their bravery and originality.

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‘Lobster and Chips’

Kombu/butter poached Lobster with Uni, Vegetable Chips and Yuzu-Truffle-Egg Dip

Lobster and Chips. Just really good food. The lobster was amazing, great quality and as for the chips, who doesn’t love chips? These ones are just beautifully cooked and crispy. I could eat this every day. You only get a few chips but it is enough and also comes with Roe. The Roe does that satisfying thing of popping in your mouth.

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Warm Loch Duart Salmon

With Lemon Miso, Green Chilli Salsa and Burnt Cedar

This salmon was perfect. It was soft and tender. It came away beautifully when you put your fork in. The salmon comes with mushrooms and a sauce which both contribute to the dish. Yummy. Asian food at it’s best.

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Aged Rib-Eye Ishi-Yaki

Black Beer Marinated Beef, served sizzling with Japanese BBQ Sauce
(£15 supp for Wagyu)

This beef was the best I have ever tasted in my life. It is tender and soft.  It is the Australian version of Kobe beef. The cows have a better life than some humans and are massaged with beer. It was sizzling and came with a excellent sauce. Just beautiful. The sauce is sticky and salty.

We went on to a beautiful and rich Pinot Noir for the beef.

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Todays Sushi: Tuna with Garlic and Green Pepper, Salmon with Celery and Scallops.

This was a real treat. The tune was perfect, great quality, and the scallops and salmon were also of the highest order. They were all already marinated so did not need to come with any sauce. A real triumph of cooking. (or not cooking?)

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Calpico Sorbet with Slow Gin Jelly

This was so wonderfully different. The sorbet was great and the slow gin was a great touch. Wonderful.

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Green Tiramisu with Cocoa Nib Ice Cream

This highly original tiramisu was a great way to end the meal. It was refreshing delicious. It looked great too.

We then had some green tea which was also tasted great.

Wabi are a great restaurant. The food is amazing, the drinks are great and the service is excellent. This along with the sophisticated and calming decor makes Wabi a great place to eat in London. Frost loves.

The tasting menu is £75. Price range is reasonable, medium to high depending on what you order.

Wabi London
36-38 Kingsway
Holborn
London
WC2B 6EY
Phone: 0207.400.5400

Nearest Tube: Holborn.