"Sekihan"

A few Weekends ago, I tried to do "Hanami" with friends.  Unfortunately weather did not cooperate.  But we prepared snacks for it the day before, so we decided to get together at my home at least to enjoy those snacks.
In Japan people go to places where we can find Cherry Trees to have picnic in the Spring time.  We sit under the Sakura Blossoms to enjoy ourselves with special food and sometimes with drinks.  That is the "Hanami"
For this Sakura Season which is almost a month earlier than normal, I really wanted to do "Hanami" with friends.  I asked my friend Mari and her mother to make "Sekihan Ball."  And I told them that I'll make some things to go with it. Something very Springly !
"Sekihan" literally Red Rice is a Japanese traditional dice dish.  It is Sticky Rice, steamed with Azuki beans which give a reddish color to rice, hence its name. "Sekihan" is often served for special occasions thoughtout the year in Japan, for example, birthdays, weddings and some holidays.  "Sekihan" is so strongly connected with celebration that the phrase "Let's have O-Sekihan" has acquired the meaning "Let's Cerebrate !"  It is believed that "Sekihan" is used for celebration because of its red color, symbolic of happiness in Japan. (This is Wikapedia's definition for Sekihan.)
So, having " Sekihan Ball" for "Hanami" is perfect.  Let's cerebrate Spring's early arrival with Pink Sakura Blossoms ! 

"Sekihan Balls"

Mari thought that it is easier to have Sekihan in Balls.

Sekihan is traditionally eaten with Gomashio,

a mixture of Sesame Seeds & Salt.

"Green Pea  & Mint Soup"

This soup is good to serve cold or hot.

"Sunchoke with Orange Gremolatta"

 My go-to Veggie Side Dish.

 I served with thinly sliced Carrots Chips shape like Sakura. 

"Daikon Quick Pickle"

This Spring's New discovery is "Micro Shiso Leaves"

I sliced Daikon very thin, sprinkled Salt. leave for a few hours.

Wash them with cold water then squeezed all water.

Mixed with Yuzu-Juice, before serve them mixed with "Micro Shiso"

They are very small leaves but strong flavor is unmistakably there. 

These sprouts will become my favorite thing for the Spring ! 

 I only need to make some "Sakura Tea"

By the time we were ready to start our "Hanami Lunch", the Sun came out.  We could pack up then go out.  But we were so ready to start tasting everything we had prepared that we decided to stay in.  

Some Sakura has blossomed already, but most of the Sakura are still not opened yet.  That means we still have a chance to do "Hanami."  Since we did not tasted snacks under the Cherry Trees, we may have to plan one more time to have "Sekihan."  After all we must have Red Rice under Sakura Trees to cereblate Spring, don't we ?

"Fantastic Garbage Truck"

Do I want to live in a Garbage Truck ?

Yes I would, if I can find a truck like this....

Somebody is lucky enough to build the Luxurious Garbage Truck.

I love specially drawers in the kitchen.

By the way, where is the Bathroom ?  
How dose it look ?

"A Dozen Tulips"

This past Saturday morning at Union Square Farmers' Market, for the first time I felt Spring's presents.
Some of the farmers who were not there for past few months are back at the spots where they're usually stationed.  We had to say "Welcome Back".  
Their winter is over as well.  Time for them to get back to work for us, city folk.
I also saw many flowers ready to decorate our homes.  Magnolia Trees in the Square have many pink flowers and pink buds.  But, nothing else screams louder "Spring is here!" to us more than Tulips.  They came in many varieties and colors.
Here are some close-up looks at lovely Tulips I found that morning...

I'm sure that Tulips will be there every Saturday for more than a few weekends.  
If you like to have spring in your home, make a trip to the markets to get a few bouquets of Tulips.
By the way, there will be other flowers waiting for you, not just Tulips at Union Square. You will see Sweet Peas, Hyacinths, Pansies, Quince, Crocus and Roses. You can also come back with branches of Sakura Blossoms as well.  
Spring is defiantly here !

"The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore"

I saw this video made in 2011 this morning.

YES, it is long. But I can guaranty, you will feel happy after words.

Also it will make you toss out your Kindle, if you have one !

So, which book shall we pick up thoday....

"MOVE"

After seeing many dishes, you have things to do.

Burn those calories !  Start moving !!

This video makes you get going.

"YUM"

Are you hungry ?

After seeing Sweet Sakura Blog, you need to see what I'm in the mood for...

"Sakura Sweet Sakura"

One of my favorite Shops in New York is "Minamoto Kitchoan" in Rockefeller Center.  I mentioned this name of the shop more than a few times in my blogs before.  This is the shop for me to go to get Japanese Sweets.  
They have so many kinds of  "Wagashi (Traditional Japanese Sweets)" and even some Western influenced Sweets.
Traditional Japanese Sweets do not contain Butter or Milk.  Basically they are made of Rice Flour & Sweet Bean Paste.  Often they are shaped like things found in Nature.  They are perfect company for Green Tea.  After all, they were created to serve for the Tea Ceremony.  "Macha" is a bitter Tea Powder made from Green Tea Leaves used for the Tea Ceremony.  You need something sweet to balance your palette.
As I said in previous Blogs, Japanese have a thing about "Sakura".  
In the springtime we will have many Sakura-flavored "Wagashi"  I bet many of you never thought of "Sakura" for eating.  But we Japanese have enjoyed the flavor of those Pink Cherry Blossoms throughout the years.  Once you tasted them you will know why Japanese keep making precious things with "Sakura"
After I blogged about "Sakura" I got the urge to go get some of those sweets to have with Green Tea on a sunny March afternoon, even thought Sakura is not showing signs of blooming yet.....

This is "Minamoto Kitchoan" in Rockefeller Center.

As you can see, the place is filled with Japanese Sweets.

Those sweets are "Seasonable Items."

Every month they have something special for you to try.

This month is all about "Sakura"

"Sakura Daifuku"

Sweet Kidney Bean Paste covered with Gluey Rice Flour Dough.

Outer layer is flavored and colored with Cherry Blossom Liqueur.

"Sakura Mochi"

Sweet Red Bean Paste covered with Sticky Rice Cake.

Topped with Salted Cherry Blossom, then wrapped with Salted Cherry Leaf.

YES, we Japanese do eat Cherry Leaves & Blossoms. 

"Sakuranbo (Cherry)"

Cherry-flavored Jelly.  You will find a Sweet Cherry inside.

"Sakura Shigure"

Sweet Kidney Bean Paste covered with Wheat Flour Cake.

The Cake is flavored with Cherry Leaf Extract.

This one is also decorated with Salted Cherry Blossom.

Perfect accompaniment for Sweets is Green Tea.

Cast Iron Tea-Pot has a Cherry Blossom Pattern.

The Tea Canister is made of Cherry Tree Bark.

Inner seal is very tight, it will keep tea fresh for a very long time.

Tea scoop is made of Cherry Bark as well.

Of course I bought them in Japan.  

"Sakura Higashi"

Higashi means Dry Sweets, mainly made of Sweetened Rice Flour.

It comes in many Shapes, this one is Cherry Blossoms & Buds.

A Friend in Tokyo sent this to me.

They are too pretty to eat, aren't they ?

Pink Plastic Sheet is wrapper for the "Higashi"

Two Sakura Printed Wrapping Paper are from Jonathan's Paper Archives.

By the way.

I found two more pictures of "Sakura" today.

So, I added to my blog "Sakura Sakura"

Take a look at that page again !

You tell me which ones are the new additions.

"L'Odyssée de Cartier"

Have you ever seen this commercial ?

Its for "Cartier" so it has to be special.....