Onigiri

Ohayo gozaimasu! So, today I am not giving you all a European recipe. Oh my, what is wrong with me today? Nothing at all. It is back to school time for most people and the recipe that I will give you today is something that is fairly common not only in bento boxes, but all over Japan. For those of you who watch anime or read manga, you will know them as Onigiri. Those of you who do not might know them as rice balls. In all actuality they are not spherical at all. Either way, here is the recipe for you.

Ingredients

·         4 cups of uncooked white rice

·         4 ½ cups of water

·         1 cup of water

·         ¼ teaspoon of sea salt

·         ¼ cup of bonito shavings, salmon, tuna, beef, pork, turkey, chicken, vegetables, ect.

·         2 sheets of nori cut into ½ inch strips

·         2 tablespoons of sesame seeds

·         Umeboshi

Directions

·         Wash the rice

·         Pour the rice and 4 ½ cups of water into a pan

·         Bring to a boil, stirring to make sure that it doesn’t stick to the pan

·         Reduce heat and cover the pan

·         Simmer the rice until all the water is absorbed

·         Allow rice to cool

·         In a separate bowl, combine water and salt

·         Wet hands with salted water and divide rice into 8- 10 portions

·         For each portion divide in two

·         Create a small indention in one half to fill with a teaspoon of bonito flakes or other filling

·         Cover with the half of rice

·         Press into a triangular shape and sprinkle with sesame seeds

·         Press a umeboshi into the back of the onigiri and wrap with a strip of nori

That’s how you do it. A quick and easy meal to make for lunch when you have school. Especially if you don’t have a lunch break like some college students. Enjoy!

Roman Cheesecake

Hello again! I have been so busy these past couple of months. I had finals, graduation, working a lot, getting registered for the LSAT, studying for the LSAT, and starting school again. In honor of my new classes I present to you an old, old recipe. I mean that too. By old I mean Ancient Roman time old. So, here you go; Ancient Roman Cheesecake. It is quite tasty. For this you will need mini tart pans. It is not your regular cheesecake.

Ingredients

·        Bay leaves

·        3 eggs

·        8 ounces of ricotta cheese

·        ½ cup of honey

·        1 teaspoon grated orange or lemon zest

·        1 teaspoon of lemon juice

·        ½ cup of whole grain flour

Directions

·        Preheat the oven 425 degrees F

·        Put a small, oven safe bowl into filled with water into the oven

·        Spray pan with Baker’s Joy or other flour spray

·        Place a bay leaf into each part of the mini tart pans

·        Beat the eggs in a mixing bowl

·        Add ricotta cheese, honey, orange/lemon zest, and the lemon juice

·        Slowly add the flour until it is well mixed

·        Pour an even amount into each part of the pan

·        Bake until the top is browned, about 35 to 40 minutes

·        Run a knife along the edge and flip the pan over onto a towel to cool

Tada! There you have it. Tasty and historical. I hope you enjoy this recipe. I shall try to post more often since school is back in session.