Showing posts with label Dad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dad. Show all posts

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Black Sesame Seed Mochi

Black Sesame Seed Mochi

The other day when I was rolling out dough to make a loaf of bread.  Out of nowhere, my son asked me if I’m making Black Sesame Seed Mochi (he calls them “Gee-Mah”, means sesame in Chinese).  I guess rolling out dough for bread/buns reminds him the similar process in making Mochi!  Isn’t he smart?  :)  Since that day, he’s been asking me to make him some “Gee-Mah, everyday!!!  A few times a day!!!  It’s not that I don’t want to make the Mochi for him.  But let me explain to you all, a batch of Mochi makes 36 mini ones, and they CAN’T be refrigerated because cold temperature would harden the rice cake.  The Mochi usually only last for around 3 days, more or less depending on the weather, at room temperature.  I hesitated to make them just for his and my enjoyment for 3 days and waste whatever we couldn’t finished (yeah, my hubby doesn’t eat anything too sticky!)  I’m pretty sure that my son (not even 3 year old) and I can’t finish all 36 Mochi in 3 days, doesn’t matter how much we love them.  So, I promised my son I would make Mochi when Grandma and Grandpa visit.  Hence, they can take some home.  So, when my Mom called the other day and informed us they’ll visit the day after for lunch, my son was overjoyed!  Of course, he was very excited because he got to spend time with his Grandparents!  :D 

Black Sesame Seed Mochi

As usual, my parents bought Dim Sum over to our place and we all had lunch together.  After lunch, my Dad went for a walk with my son at the community playground.  I was chatting with Mom and I mentioned how my son has been asking me to make Mochi for him.  Coincidently, my Dad had been requesting Mom to make the same thing for him!  :)  And for the same reason, my Mom didn’t make them!  LOL…  Didn’t people say great minds think alike!?  Oh well, I guess the sweet tooth runs in the family.  So, here we go, I was getting the bento cups and mini muffin cups ready for the Mochi.  Aren’t they cute?

Bento Cups


Bento Cups and Mini Muffin Cups

Besides black sesame seed fillings, you can also fill these Mochi with red bean paste.  They are available in most Asian markets, fresh or canned, very convenience.  However, I personally don’t like red beans, so, I only fill them with black sesame seeds paste.  These Black Sesame Seed Mochi are soft, chewy, fragrant, and flavorful!  Those coated with toasted sesame seeds outside got an extra crunch and toasted flavor.  Yum…


Black Sesame Seed Mochi Ingredients



Black Sesame Seed Mochi








Black Sesame Seed Mochi: Printable Recipe

Servings: 36 (1-inch Mochi)

Ingredients:
1 Pound Glutinous Rice Flour
3 Cups Water
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Toasted Black and White sesame seeds (or 1/4 Cup Potato Starch), to coat mochi
 
Ingredient for Black Sesame Seed Filling:
150g (around 1 cup) Black Sesame Seed Powder
150g (around 1 cup) Powdered Sugar
1/2 cup Vegetable Shortening
 
In a medium bowl, mixed sesame seed powder, powdered sugar and shortening with a pastry blender (or a fork if you don't have one) until well combined, set aside.

In a medium pot, bring water to boil. Add sugar and stir with a wooden spoon until all sugar dissolved.

Remove from heat and add glutinous flour all at once and stir quickly to combine. Set stove to the lowest heat setting and return pot to stove, stir mochi dough until no lumps. It'll be very hard to stir at the end as the dough thickened (that also means it's ready). Remove from heat.

Let dough cool down a bit until it's not too hot to handle.  Meanwhile, place toasted sesame seeds and/or potato starch on a shallow plate, separately.  Take a small portion of dough (about 1 tablespoon) and knead it a few times in your palms.  Form it into a small disc.  Spoon 1 teaspoon sesame filling onto the dough and fold the edges to seal the mochi.

Lightly roll it into a ball shape using both palms, then coat with toasted sesame seeds or potato starch. Place them in the mini paper muffin cups until ready to serve.

Tips: Wear a pair of disposable plastic gloves while handling mochi dough as the dough is very sticky.  Before handling the dough, spray a little cooking spray on plastic gloves and rub your hands together for even distribution. Thus, the dough won't stick on the gloves either.


This recipe is link to:
Sweets for a Saturday

Friday, August 20, 2010

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

It was Daddy’s birthday yesterday!  As usual, we celebrated with food!  To be exact, Japanese food, which is one of Daddy’s favorites.  In the past ten years, our family seldom purchased any fish from the supermarket.  Not that we don’t like fish.  It was just because we always have the freshest supply, free.  Yes, I said FREE!  That’s because daddy loves fishing!  If you’ve ever tasted a piece of sashimi from the fish that was just swimming in the ocean minutes ago, you know what is fresh.  The sweetness of the flesh, and melt in the mouth texture is indescribable!
Back to the birthday celebration, we went to RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in Torrance.  I rated this place 3.5 to 4 stars out of 5.  I picked this restaurant because it’s closed to our house and they have pretty decent sashimi and rolls.  Plus, I know they have high chairs available.  This place is spacious and usually not packed.  Also, it’s in the Del Amo Fashion Center, so, there are plenty of parking spaces available.  Of course, there are many other (better) sushi restaurants to choose from in Torrance if you don’t have to consider high chair availability, wait time and parking distance. 
Let’s see what we have ordered…
Assorted Sashimi Set LunchAssorted Sashimi Set Lunch—Tuna, Salmon and Yellowtail Served with Salad, Miso Soup and a bowl of white rice
The Set lunch is good value, but the fish wasn’t top quality.  I would rather order a la carte next time.

Sushi--Tuna, Uni and Ebi Sushi—Tuna, Uni and Ebi
The Uni sushi are great, very fresh and sweet.  Didn’t try the other 2.

Seared Tuna with Ginger Sauce  Seared Tuna with Ginger Sauce
This one is yummy.  Something different.  I love the greens on top adding a little crunch.  The ginger sauce is flavorful but not too strong.

Garlic Citrus YellowtailGarlic Citrus Yellowtail 
The citrus dressing is very light, very refreshing.  It’s perfect with a dab of wasabi.

Yellowtail Sashimi Yellowtail Sashimi
Good quality, better than those from the set lunch. 

Salmon SashimiSalmon Sashimi 
The salmons were just okay.  Not fat enough for my liking.

Spicy Tuna Roll Spicy Tuna Roll
Not bad, tuna is spicy enough.  However, I think I can make the roll prettier that this! 

Shrimp Tempura Udon  Shrimp Tempura Udon
Shrimp Tempura Udon
Shrimp Tempura Udon
The Udon is very flavorful, lots of bay scallops, carrots and mushrooms make the broth very sweet.

Beef Tataki Roll Beef Tataki Roll
This is one of my favorite, the dipping sauce is great too, a little sweet and a little tangy.  The beef is fresh and melt in your mouth.  The asparagus adds a little bit crunch. 

Scallop Sashimi Scallop Sashimi
This is my favorite of the day.  Fresh, sweet, melt in your mouth goodness.

So, what’s the damage……drum roll please…
The Bill
Just a tip for you, if you want to try RA, go during their happy hours.  You get discount on beers and sake (not sure how much though), appetizers and rolls are 50% off!   That’s not a bad deal at all.

We had a great time.  I’m sure my little ones enjoyed the lunch, too.  There were lots of laughter, noise and mess from them.  Nothing is better than spending quality time with family.  (Too bad my hubby couldn’t join us this time.)  To me, food is the most delicious when shared with family and love ones.  Happy Birthday again, Daddy!  I love you.