Making "OMIYAGE"

Those are "Omiyage" I asked my friend to bring to friends in Tokyo.

"Omiyage" means "Souvenir" in Japanese.
One of my friends is leaving for Japan. When I know some of my friends go to Japan, I almost always ask them to bring some Omiyage to my friends in Japan. 
That means, they have to get together in Japan to receive Omiyage from me. 
At the same time they can exchange informations what is going on in Tokyo and in New York. 
I also think that is the way to keep in touch with friends in Japan, and make sure to keep connected between our friends in Japan and friends in New York.  When they get together, they may talk about me good and bad, but that is OK by me.
You may think that is an excuse for me to ask friends to give up some precious space in their luggage. That maybe true, but my friends don't seem to mind doing it for me.  For that I'm very grateful !

"Meyer Lemons"

They are so different from regular Lemon.

They have an almost flower-like fragrance and are less sour.
Skins are so much smoother, perfect for the "Candied Peel"

One of my friends in Tokyo is a big foodie. 
We always exchange informations about food.
What I found at Farmer's Market, and what I made with it ?  What kind of new dish I tasted at restaurants or I cooked for a dinner ?  What I found to add to my cupboard ?
Since I've got Meyer Lemons last week, I decided to make "Candied Meyer Lemon Peel". 
She loves them, I think she just finished last year's peel. She also says it is very difficult to find Meyer Lemon in Japan.  So this is a perfect Omiyage for her.
It is a 2 day cooking process. It is not too difficult, it just needs lots of care. 
I believe Candy-Making is always that way. Not that what I know about Candy-Making, I do not. 
This is the only Candy-Making I know and do a few times in year. 
Since it is a time consuming process to be finished, it makes sense to do a big quantity. So, I'm peeling all 15 lemons I've got. Some are for friends here as well as for myself.  Lets hope Peel will reach her without too much Breakage.
By the way, leftover cooked sugar-syrup and flesh of Lemons makes very refreshing "Meyer Lemonade".  
Leftover sugar from coating the peel I keep in an airtight container. When I make simple cooked Fruits such as Apples or Pears, I will use that instead of regular sugar. You will know how much difference this Meyer Lemon Essence makes when you taste cooked fruits....

 

Peeling Lemon's Zest carefully.

Try to peel them wide, so that during the cooking process they don't break.

After cooked in water twice, cutting Zest into 1/4 inch Ribbons.

Cooking with Suger and Light Corn Syrup.

This is the process you have to put lots of care.

Use Pastry Brush to clean the sides of the pot not to get crystalized sugar.

 Let stand over night. Reheat to bring to simmer, 
Cool down a bit then drain.

  Spread Peels on the bed of Sugar.

Make sure all peels are separated and coated with Sugar.

That is the other step needs a lots of care.

My favorite Cookie from "Trader Joe" and my "Candied Meyer-Lemon Peel"

These will make perfect companions for Black Tea.

You have to stored them in airtight container, they will stay fresh for several months. If they become too dry put a Lemon in the container for a day or two and peel will soften.
If you like to have "Lemon Tea" for an afternoon break you can put a few "Candied Peels" in your Tea cup. They will make instant Lemon-Tea with touch of sweetness.
Jonathan made me a label to put on the container. I love the look of it. Looks so professional. Maybe she thinks I bought them this time.  But yet, she knows us too well to think like that !

With my homemade "Candied Meyer-Lemon Peel" I can enjoy Tea more !

Namesake ?

"NUNO"

Printed Wool Challis Scarf. 

Same print on Wool Jersey made into Pull-Over Top.

This blog is titled "Scarf Boys".  My very first blog I explained how this happen.
It is something to do with our Collection of Scarves.
But I haven't show any of my scarves for while. 
As a "NAMESAKE", it is time for me to post some pictures of Winter Scarves. 
Even thought Spring is far away. I better hurry up to do it before it's too late !
Yes, we (Jonathan & I ) have many scarves to wear all year around. But Specially in Fall to Winter, we always have scarf on. Many of them are from "NUNO" in Tokyo, but we have been collecting scarves in Europe as well.

Found it in "Antwerp"

Cashmere Stripe Knit Scarf.

 Got it in "Como"

Printed Cashmere Flannel Scarf.

We never use same scarf two days in a row.  
Good thing about having many scarves is even if you wear same coat every day, by changing a scarf will make different impressions for people. Unless your coat is so special so that people will not forget it easily.
In my case, this year's coat is becoming the one. I made this Ombre-Coat sometime ago, but I did not start wearing it until this Winter. This may be the most complimented garment of mine by strangers on the street. 
Even for this coat, I have a few scarves to wear with it. 
One is almost too "Matchy Matchy" but I do wear them together quite often. 
Other one is completely opposite color scheme. But I love them together for some reason. Believe me, these scarves keep me warm very well. And some times some Vermillion-Ombre scarf gives me a "Pick me Up !" feeling which we need in this Very Harsh Snowy Winter.

Two ways of wearing my "Ombre-Coat"

When you put a simple coat on, you can wear Statement Scarf with it.  
That scarf could be a bright single colored big scarf, or graphic patterned big scarf, or something totally unique thing such as Kimono-Sash used as a scarf. Which I do all the time.
We love Big Scarves because they are versatile, dramatic, and luxurious. 
Best of all they protect our face & ears from Cold Winter Wind.
Take a look in your closet carefully you may find some scarves you haven't used for while, or you may even find some fabrics you want to use as a scarf. They are just waiting to be reached by you and will make you warm and happy.
Don't be shy, try whatever you like to wear around your face.
They may change your Mood for that day !  They will surprise you !

 "NUNO"

Colored Polka Dots Jacquard Scarf.

"NUNO"

Mosaic Check Jacquard Scarf.

"NUNO"

Zigzag & Circle Jacquard Scarf.

Japanese Antique Shop in San Francisco.

Black & White Silk Hand Tie-dyed Kimono-Sash.

"Dianne B"

Printed Wool Challis Scarf which came with matching Shirt.

"NUNO"

Red & Brown Tribal Jacquard Scarf. 

"NUNO"

Brown Gray Taupe Random Stripe Scarf.

"NUNO"

One side is simple dot but other side is Bearded Dot.

"Comme Des Garcons" 

Extra Long Patchworked Iridescent Velvet Scarf.

I wear this one only once or twice a Season.

***** All clothing is Designed and Made by Hiroki H *****

"Afternoon Tea"

Last week we had a few Spring Like Days, but this Winter is not finished yet. 
Over night we had snow again.  Back to Winter !
On the way to Chelsea Market to pick up Smoke Salmon and Prosciutto, I saw balloons trapped on the tree. They are covered with snow. I loved those balloons, because they're almost like sugar coated Bonbons, something like we are going to have this afternoon. Also, they are screaming "PARTY TIME !"

These are the things I chose to use this afternoon.

Green Traditional Dutch Bread Box I found in Amsterdam long time ago.

Shop owner told me that people used keep their Bread in this kind of box.

I carried this one back on my lap on a plane from there !

I heve few friends over for "Afternoon Tea" today. 
One of our friends is going to visit her family in Japan for 2 weeks, this could be a "Bon Voryage Party" for her.
I have never done "Afternoon Tea Party" before.  But, how difficult could it be to make Tea Sandwiches for a few friends ?
In England they have "Afternoon Tea" around  3 ~ 5 PM. 
Traditionally Tea Served in Tea Pot with Sandwiches (such as cucumber, water cress, egg,  ham, smoked salmon), Scones (with clotted cream and jam) and cakes and pastries.
"High Tea" is served much later like 5 ~ 6 PM.
This is more of an Early Evening Meal, this would usually consist of Cold Meats, Eggs or Fish, and Cakes and Sandwiches, and of course Tea. 
They say it is now followed later by a Light Evening Supper.  
So today I stick with "Afternoon Tea".  This sounds much easier to handle...
Since today is the end of 3day Weekend, it will be better to have an afternoon gathering than an evening party.

I made "Salmom Sandwiches" and "Prosciutto Sandwiches" already.

Now I start making Two kinds of "Cucumber Sandwiches".

One is traditional with Watercress.

For the extra crunch and color,

I am adding a thin slice of Watermelon-Radish 
to the other Cucumber Sandwiches.

My selection for today's Teas are 

Hand Knotted "Jasmine-Tea" Souvenir from ", 
"Green Marco Polo" from "Mariage Freres",  
Lychee Flavored Black Tea from "Ten Ren Tea",

I also made Meyer-Lemonade for refreshment.

All guests have arrived.
 Open the Sandwich Box.

Jasmine-Tea Flower is open in the Glass Pot, Ready to serve !

Other Part of "Afternoon Tea"

Biscuits and "Nutella", Scones with "Strowberry Butter", 
"Chocolate Cherry Bread", and "Petits Fours"

4 kinds of Dainty Bitable Sandwiches.

Smoked-Salmon with Cream Cheese Spread.
Prosciutto with Pesto and Parmagiano.

Cucumber and Watermelon-Radish with Butter.

Cucumber and Watercress with Butter and Mayonnaise.

Dinner at Home on February 14th.

Large Clock served as the Table for this special Night !

Friends in Japan are asking me what I did for Valentine's Day. 
We do things so much different from Japan for Valentine's Day. 
Here we give gifts to everybody who you love, over there only Girls to Boys. 
They give nothing but Chocolate. 
Maybe that is the only thing we have in common. 
Since we are expecting friends from Germany next week and the 3rd week of March will be celebrating my friend from West-Coast's Birthday in New York.
I believe, we will be dinning out a lot in coming month. So, for Valentine's Day I decided to make "Dinner for Two". 
I did not want to cook Chicken or Turkey, or Pasta. I wanted to do something more special for the occasion.  Maybe a Rose for the Table.
I've got Pork Tenderloin. Of course Watermelon-Radish, and lots of Fruits. 
And I did not forgot Chocolate. You must have the Chocolate !
By the way, "Doughnut Plant" of the Lower East Side opened Second Shop here in Chelsea. Its a few blocks away on the ground floor of the Chelsea Hotel, so I had to have Doughnuts from there along with doughnuts from "Dunkin Doughnuts", 
Remember I don't bake. There were no homemade cakes for the table.

   Cucumber, Jicama, Roasted Corn, Watermelon-Radish Salad, 

with Meyer-Lemon Vinaigrette.

The dinner started with Salad.
I made colorful and crunchy salad. Bite came from Jicama and Cucumber, color came from corn and watermelon-radish. My new favorite "Roasted Corn" was adding extra flavor to the salad, along with Meyer-Lemon juice in a Vinaigrette.
The Main Course, Pork Tenderloin was simply rubbed with my favorite Spice "Sunny Paris" from "Penzeys Spices". 
I had to have some side dishes for the Pork, I though that something sweet and sour will go with it very well. Some Sweet Potato with Pomegranate-Molasses would be the one. 
I can sometime find "Japanese Sweet Potato" at "Whole Foods". 
They are so different from Yam or Sweet Potato. They have Red Skin and White Flesh.
It goes with Chestnut very well, but not for that night.
In Japan in the winter, you can find "Ishi Yakiimo" (means Roasted Sweet Potato over heated Stones, sometimes you can see push carts in town selling those sweet delicacies.) 
I added one more simple Vegetable dish to make the dinner a more balanced meal.

    Sweet Potato was roasted in the oven before made into a side-dish.

    Chopped Scallions were sprinkled at last. 

    Green Beans & Red Pepper were sautéed with Garlic and Olive-Oil.

Then Desserts. We had to have Chocolate for that dinner.
Dessert Course is my weakest part for preparing dinner.
For that night, I got "Belgium Chocolate Pudding" from "Trader Joe".  
And I sliced Kiwi Fruit, Mango, and of course Strawberry to scoop up Chocolate !  
OH one more thing, somebody was saying that "Nuts" were the other thing you to have for the Valentine's Day.  So I roasted Almonds to dip into Chocolate.....

      We felt a little bit healthier. 
Because we had chocolate with lots of Fruit?