28.6.12

Tōfu chanpuru (stir-fried tofu Okinawa style)


Chanpuru (チャンプルー) is a form of popular Okinawa stir-fried dish, generally containing vegetables, tofu, and some kind of meat or fish. Luncheon meat (such as Spam or Danish Tulip), egg, bean spuraut and goya (bitter melon) are some other common ingredients. Spam is not typically used in mainland Japan, but it's more common in Okinawa due primarily to the historical influence of its introduction by U.S. Forces. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanpuru)

Tōfu chanpuru is tofu stir-fried with vegetables and some kind of meat like Spam, sliced pork, or canned tuna. Unlike tofu from mainland Japan, Okinawan tofu is firm and does not fall apart when stir-fried. Therefore this is good to use tofu from Albert Heijn or regular super markets for making Tofu champuru.

To make Tofu chanpuru in the Netherlands, I use

- Euro shopper luncheon meat (from AH)
- AH Tofu
- Cabbage
- Bean sprout
- Carrot
- Onion
- Egg
- Shimaya Dashi No Moto (Japanese soup stock with fish flavoured)
- Salt and pepper


It's enough to use Euro shopper luncheon meat for Okinawan dishes. AH tofu is good to make Chanpuru too.

1. Slice luncheon meat. Cut vegetables.
2. Cut Tofu into cube; first lightly bake in a pan.
3. Transfer baked tofu to a dish at the moment.
4. Stir-fry luncheon meat and vegetables in a pan.
5. Add prepared tofu in a frying pan.
6. Add egg, and stir-fry together.
7. Seasoning with salt, pepper and Shimaya dashi.
8. Place on the plate. Sprinkle Katsuobushi (bonito flake) if you like.

25.6.12

Onigiri Okinawa style (Japanese rice ball by Okinawa style)


This is called Pork Musubi (ポークむすび, the rice ball with Spam and omelette). It is one of a popular Okinawan food. "Onigiri, おにぎり" or "Omusubi, おむすび",  is a Japanese food made from white rice formed into triangular or oval shapes and often wrapped in nori (seaweed). But Okinawa style is an unique that is using with Spam and egg.

Okinawa Prefecture (沖縄県: Okinawa-ken) is a prefecture located in southern Japan. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1,000 kilo meters long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū to Taiwan. Long time ago, Okinawa was an independent nation, and was not part of Japan. Thus they have their own cultures that are a bit different from Japanese cultures.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Ryukyu_Islands

In Okinawa, Spam (can of luncheon meat) is called "Pork". That was brought by the American presence after WW2. Okinawan people practically arrange this economy can-meat by their style. Traditional Japanese riceball is sometimes hard for non-Japanese people to eat. But this Okinawa riceball is good for meat lovers. Moreover Spam is not expensive. This Japanese food helps your economy too.

Ingredients:
Spam (rightly baked)
Egg (for omelette)
Nori (cut in half)
Steamed Japanese rice

See following photos for making



Roll with Nori and fix shape. Finish.

Basically you don't need to add seasonings like salt or soy sauce. But you can use ketchup or mayonnaise for dipping if you want.

Kyaraben (character bento) workshop

Kyaraben, a shortened form of character bento, is a very popular bento style in Japan which features food decorated to look like Anime or Kawaii characters. At the workshop you learn how to make authentic Kyaraben and the result you can take home. More info http://tokyodoll.web.fc2.com/workshop/bentoworkshop.html