How to Cook Simmered Zenmai, Japanese Flowering Fern

       This week, I cooked Japanese flowering fern, which is called zenmai in Japanese. Zenmai is edible wild vegetable and eaten in some Asian countries including Japan. When I lived in Japan, I some times cooked it as well. Anyway, I bought zenmai at Korean supermarket here in the U.S. a while ago, and I finally cooked simmered zenmai this week. It turned out delicious salty Japanese side dishes. I'm going share how to cook it with you.

How to Cook Simmered Zenmai, Japanese Flowering Fern

Ingredients

1 lb of boiled zenmai (cut them into 1 inch length)
1/2 cups of carrot (cut them into strips)
1 pack of konnyaku noodles (cut them into 1 inch length)
2 tablespoons of sugar
2 tablespoons of sake
6 tablespoons of soy sauce
1 dried red pepper (cut them finely)
1 tablespoon of oil


1. Heat the oil in a pan over high heat. Add dried red pepper, zenmai and carrot. Stir-fry them.

2. Add konnyaku and stir-fry them for 5 minutes.

3. Add sugar and stir thoroughly.

4. Add sake and soy sauce. Simmer it until until water evaporates.

5. Enjoy!




     This is my previous entry you might like.
How to Cook Fuki, Giant Butterbur


      This is my entries related to my favorite recipe.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/recipes

      This is my entries related to cooking.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/cooking

     My entries related to Japan can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Japan

Top 3 Most Popular Japanese Eyelash Curlers

       Have you ever tried Japanese eyelash curlers? Even though I am Japanese and lived in Japan for most of my life, I didn't know that Japanese eyelash curlers are also very poplar outside Japan until I moved to the U.S. Because nearly 99% of population of Japan are Japanese, many Japanese eyelash curlers are perfect for Asian eyes. I think the most important thing to find the best eyelash curler is finding one which fits your eyelids' shape perfectly.

       Today, I searched the current best eyelash curlers in Japan, so I am going to share top 3 most popular ones with you. These three products were chosen based on Japanese women's reviews on @cosme, a huge Japanese cosmetic review site. I am pretty surprised that all top 3 are Shiseido products while a lot of other Japanese companies have been making eyelash curlers!  


No.1  Shiseido Maquillage Edge Free Eyelash Curler

Shiseido Maquillage Edge Free Eyelash Curler

       Maquillage is one of high-end brands of Sheseido. Some Japanese people have reviewed that Maquillage eyelash curler is slightly less curve than Shiseido 213, so it perfectly fits their eyes and works better than any other eyelash curlers! If you have ever tried Shiseido 213, but it still pinches your eyes, this Maquillage eyelash curler might work for you. The only downside is that they don't sell its refill, but some Japanese people say that Shiseido eyelash curler refill fits it perfectly. :)   



No.2  Shiseido Makeup Eyelash Curler

Shiseido Makeup Eyelash Curler

        This eyelash curler also has a lot of positive reviews on Japanese cosmetic review site. Some people review that it creates perfectly curved eyelashes from roots. While Shiseido 213 creates gentle natural curved eyelashes, this eyelash curler creates doll-like eyelashes. If you have shorter eyelashes, this might perfect for you. You can find its refill easily.



No.3  Shiseido Eyelash Curler 213

Shiseido Eyelash Curler 213

      This is the most affordable Shiseido eyelash curler, and its refill is also inexpensive. If you replace the rubber periodically, it will work like brand new for more than 20 years. :) Even though Maquillage one ranked the currently most popular eyelash curler in Japan, this Shiseido 213 is one of the longest-selling products of Shiseido and have an incredibly number of reviews. I also purchased this when I was a teen, and it still works for me. :)  



     These are my entries you might like.

♥What Are Shiseido Eyelash Curler 213, 214, 215 And 216?

♥Top 3 Best Japanese Double Eyelid Glue/Tape Products

♥3 Best Japanese Eyeliners 

♥Top 3 Affordable Japanese Eyeshadows

♥Top 3 High-Ends Japanese Eyeshadows 

♥Top 3 Best Heroine Make Products - Japanese Makeups

♥The Most Popular Facial Sheet Masks in Japan

♥5 Best Japanese Facial Lotion (Toner), Kesyou-sui

♥Top 5 Life-Changing Japanese Beauty Products  
 
♥Top 5 Most Popular Japanese Pore Minimizer   

♥The Best Japanese Shampoo & Conditioner

♥5 Best Japanese Deep Conditioning Hair Masks

♥The Best Japanese Hair Dryer, Panasonic Nano Care Hair Dryer

♥Top 5 Japanese Sunscreen Products

♥Top 5 Most Popular Japanese Charcoal Soap

♥4 Reasons Why I Love Kose Softymo Cleansing Oil

♥Popular Japanese Facial Cleansing Products - What I Want to Buy in Japan

♥Top 3 Daiso Beauty Products

♥Top 10 Products You Should Buy at Daiso


     My entries related to Best Japanese Beauty Products can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Best%20Japanese%20Beauty%20Products

     My entries related to beauty can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/beauty

     My entries related to Japan can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Japan

Must-Watch Shiseido Japan Commercial

       A few weeks ago, I found that new Shiseido Japan Commercial was in the news. The scene of this commercial looks like a girl's high school in Japan.

      I don't know about your country, but Japan has some girl's high schools and boy's high schools. My high school was a coeducational school, but majorities of students at my high school were girls, so my high school classmates were all girls indeed. Actually, this is pretty common in Japan. Because high school is not mandatory education in Japan although most Japanese people graduate high school. That's why at age 15, Japanese people need to choose high schools they want to go and take the exams to enroll the schools. Some high schools are popular for girls and vice versa.

     Anyway, you can watch this surprising Shiseido commercial. In the book which the last student is reading, it reads, "Did you notice that there was/were a boy/boys in this room?" (Grammatically, Japanese doesn't distinguish between singular and plural.)

        I didn't notice that all students and teacher were men! The scene is actually boy's high school! Boys can be prettier by makeup. Now, you know the power of makeup. :)))


     My entries related to Best Japanese Beauty Products can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Best%20Japanese%20Beauty%20Products
      My entries related to beauty can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/beauty

     My entries related to Japan can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Japan

A Clover Reserve Starbucks - Starbucks Reserve Jamaica Blue Mountain

        Last week, my husband called and told me that he finally found Starbucks Reserve Jamaica Blue Mountain. We don't usually buy coffee after evening, but he bought it anyway. It's because Starbucks sells their Reserve coffee in a very limited quantity, and expensive ones are gone fast. You might know that the higher price of coffee, the more rarity of coffee. We noticed that Specifically Starbucks Reserve Jamaica Blue Mountain and Kona coffee sold out very quickly. Indeed, we haven't seen Jamaica Blue Mountain at any our local Starbucks branches since that day. Anyway, we were glad to have this Starbucks Reserve Jamaica Blue Mountain! :))) It was one of the best coffee we ever had! Once you taste their Reserve coffee, you might never go back to their normal brewed coffee.

 Starbucks Reserve Jamaica Blue Mountain

 Starbucks Reserve Jamaica Blue Mountain

  This coffee was grown beneath the peak of the 7,400-foot Blue Ridge. The dew, along with plentiful rainfall and fertile soil, helps create ideal growing conditions. After the harvest, each bean is scrutinized and certified to ensure nothing short of the highest quality. The result: a complex cup with layers of citrus flavor and a hint of cocoa.

 Starbucks Reserve Jamaica Blue Mountain

         My entries related to coffee can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/coffee

         My Starbucks entries can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Starbucks

         This is my entries related to our Starbucks collections.
 http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Starbucks%20mugs

Starbucks You Are Here Collection Mug - Seattle

       While my husband and I traveled Seattle, we got this Starbucks You Are Here Collection Seattle mug in Downtown Seattle. I expected that most Starbucks branch in Seattle carried this You Are Here mug, but I only fond ones at only few Starbucks. Anyway, I'm going to share this Seattle mug with you today. :)

Starbucks You Are Here Collection Mug - Seattle

       There is a picture of Space Needle, which is Seattle's iconic landmark. You can see Downtown Seattle over the Space Needle. The picture of the green mug cup indicates that Seattle is Starbucks's iconic city because the Starbucks started at Pike Place Market in Seattle in 1971.  

Starbucks You Are Here Collection Mug - Seattle

        This is the photo we took from Kerry Park during our travel. You can see Space Needle and Downtown Seattle skyline. :)

The view of Downtown Seattle Skyline from Kerry Park

Starbucks You Are Here Collection Mug - Seattle

       The picture of a mountain is probably Mount Tacoma, which is located 54 miles south of Seattle. There is the picture of an airplane flying. I thought the picture is showing that the airplane is flying from Boeing Factory, which is a huge factory to assemble planes, is located 25 miles north of Seattle. 

Starbucks You Are Here Collection Mug - Seattle

Starbucks You Are Here Collection Mug - Seattle

         Now, we have 19 Starbucks You Are Here Collection mugs!

These are my entries related to You Are Here Collection Mugs.

Hawaii

Waikiki

Las Vegas

Los Angeles

California

Orange County

San Diego

Chicago

Dallas

San Francisco

Utah

Vancouver

Arizona

Phoenix

Lake Tahoe

Houston

Ohio

Pike Place Market

Seattle

Illinois

Texas

New Mexico

Twin Cities

Washington, D.C.

Virginia

Maryland


      This is my entries related to our Starbucks collections.
 http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Starbucks%20mugs

      My entries related to Starbucks Japan can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Starbucks%20Japan

      My entries related to Starbucks can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Starbucks

        My entries related to my traveling in Seattle can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Seattle

Instant Indian Curry

      Last month, I bought these instant Indian curry at my local Asian supermarket. Today, I finally decided to have these for lunch.

        This was Shahi Rajma, which had plenty of red beans! It tasted very good!

Shahi Rajma

Shahi Rajma

       This was Navratan Koma, which had a lot of vegetables and cottage cheese in creamy pastes.   

Navratan Korma

Navratan Korma

      These were only $2.99 for two at the supermarket. I thought these were very inexpensive, yet, I was very impressed at the tastes. Each curry has a lot of vegetables and tasted very good! :)))


      This is my entries related to cooking.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/cooking  

      This is my entries related to my favorite recipe.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/recipes

Tokyo Central

      Today, my husband and I went to Tokyo Central, a Japanese supermarket in Southern California. As I mentioned in my previous entry, Marukai renovated Tokyo Central in January this year. Actually, this was our second time to go this store.

      There was a huge space with plenty of tables and seats to have foods which you purchased. We bought chirashi sushi at deli section, so we decided to sit and have dinner there. There were also water, chopsticks, soy sauce and some seasoning.

     This chirashi sushi with plenty of fresh sliced sashimi grade fish included tuna, salmon, octopus and probably yellow tail. I was impressed that the fresh fish was pretty good quality, so I couldn't believe it was only $8.48!

      If I have a chance to go to this place, I would like to buy this chirashi sushi again! :)


Tokyo Central 2975 Harbor Blvd Costa Mesa, CA 92626




       These are my entries you might like.

■Top 10 Most Popular Japanese Foods

■Top 10 Products You Should Buy at Japanese Supermarkets (for Beginners!)


■8 Interesting Japanese Kitchen Gadgets!

■My Top 10 Favorite Japanese Snacks

■My Top 10 Favorite Japanese Sweets

■The Best Japanese Shampoo & Conditioner

■5 Best Japanese Hair Treatment / Mask Products

■Top 5 Japanese Sunscreen Products

■Top 5 Most Popular Japanese Charcoal Soap

■4 Reasons Why I Love Kose Softymo Cleansing Oil 

■Popular Japanese Facial Cleansing Products - What I Want to Buy in Japan

■Top 5 Most Popular Japanese Bath Salt Brands

■Top 10 Products You Should Buy at Daiso

Starbucks You Are Here Collection Mug - Pike Place Market

        As I mentioned in my previous entries, my husband and I traveled Seattle five months ago. Because we have been collecting Starbucks You Are Here mugs, getting a Starbucks Pike Place Market mug was kind of our important mission there. :) At the Original Starbucks, we were finally able to get this Starbucks You Are Here Pike Place Market mug!

        Anyway, I'm going to share this Pike Place Market mug with you. :)

Starbucks You Are Here Collection Mug - Pike Place Market

       The Original Starbucks, which is located in 1912 Pike Place, is pictured on this mug.

Starbucks You Are Here Collection Mug - Pike Place Market

     I took this photo of the Original Starbucks at Pike Place Market.

The Original Starbucks

      You can see the picture of throwing fish on this mug. As I mentioned in my previous entry, the Pike Place Fish Market, which is known for their tradition of fishmongers throwing fish that customers have purchased, before they are wrapped, is a popular tourist destination in Seattle.

Starbucks You Are Here Collection Mug - Pike Place Market

        Indeed, I saw they were throwing some fresh fish at the Pike Place Fish Market.

      Pike Place Market has been known for street entertainers. Actually, I saw some musicians singing songs and playing guitar there.      From Pike Place Market, you can see the Central Waterfront of Seattle. The huge ferry is pictured on this mug.

Starbucks You Are Here Collection Mug - Pike Place Market

       I saw the cruise ship at the Central Waterfront.

Starbucks You Are Here Collection Mug - Pike Place Market

         Now, we have 18 Starbucks You Are Here Collection mugs!

Our Starbucks You Are Here Collections

These are my entries related to You Are Here Collection Mugs.

Hawaii

Waikiki

Las Vegas

Los Angeles

California

Orange County

San Diego

Chicago

Dallas

San Francisco

Utah

Vancouver

Arizona

Phoenix

Lake Tahoe

Houston

Ohio

Pike Place Market

Seattle

Illinois

Texas

New Mexico

Twin Cities

Washington, D.C.

Virginia

Maryland



      This is my entries related to our Starbucks collections.
 http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Starbucks%20mugs

      My entries related to Starbucks Japan can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Starbucks%20Japan

      My entries related to Starbucks can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Starbucks 
        My entries related to my traveling in Seattle can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Seattle

What I Bought in Seattle, Souvenirs for Ourselves

      My husband and I traveled Seattle this year, and we bought some souvenirs for ourselves there. I'm going to share what we bought there with you. :)

     While we were walking around Pike Place Market, we found this beautiful clear plastic fridge magnet there.　The landscape of Pike Place Market was pictured on this magnet. The magnet reminds me of our traveling there.  

Pike Place Market Magnet

           By the way, these are photos I took at Pike Place Market that day.

Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market

 

         At the Original Starbucks, we bought these three exclusive mugs. These mugs are only available at this first Starbucks, where Starbucks started.

Exclusive Mugs at the Original Starbucks

       This First Starbucks Store Mug was made in U.S.A. It has the Starbucks original brown logo.

The Original Starbucks Mug, White

      This First Starbucks brown mug also has the Starbucks original logo. 

The Original Starbucks Mug, Brown

       Because we've been collecting Starbucks You Are Here mugs, we really wanted to get this Pike Place Market mug! :)))

Starbucks You Are Here Collection Pike Place Mug

      By the way, this is the photo I took at the entrance of the Original Starbucks. You can see the Starbucks original logos.

The Original Starbucks

     I bought this Starbucks You Are Here Collection Seattle mug at Starbucks in Downtown Seattle.

Starbucks You Are Here Collection Seattle Mug

        At Boeing Factory tour, we watched partly-assembled airplanes, Boeing 747, 777, and 787. Then, we bought this fridge magnet of Boeing 787 at their gift shop.  

Boeing 787 Fridge Magnet

       We bought this Boeing mouse pad, which is something I use every day.

Boeing 787-8 Mouse Pad

      We also bought this Boeing navy blue t-shirt. :))

Boeing T-Shirt

       This Boeing fleece blanket was very handy and warmed me up at Kerry Park during watching the night views of Downtown Seattle skyline. :)))

Boeing Fleece Blanket

        At Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room, we found this Starbucks Reserve copper stainless coffee scoop, which is only available at this store. We've used this shiny coffee scoop every day since we came back from Seattle. :)

Starbucks Reserve Copper Stainless Coffee Scoop

Starbucks Reserve Copper Stainless Coffee Scoop

       If the truth be told, we bought this Starbucks silver stainless coffee scoop, which is right in this picture, a year ago and really loved it too. However, we mainly use the copper one now. :)  The silver stainless one was selling at many Starbucks branches back then, but now this was no longer available at Starbucks. You can only find one at Amazon. As you might know, most Starbucks merchandise is exclusive for only limited time.

Starbucks Coffee Scoops

Starbucks Coffee Scoops

      At EMP Museum we bought this guitar fridge magnet because we were impressed at the sculpture of a great number of guitars there.  

EMP Museum Guitar Fridge Magnet

     By the way, I took the photo of the sculpture of guitars at EMP Museum.

EMP Musuem

        At the gift shop in Space Needle, we bought this Seattle skyline fridge magnet.

Seattle Skyline Fridge Magnet

        By they way, these are photos of Downtown Seattle skyline, we took from Kerry Park.

The view of Downtown Seattle Skyline from Kerry Park

The view of Downtown Seattle Skyline from Kerry Park

        My entries related to my traveling in Seattle can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Seattle