Saturday, 1 November 2014

In My Kitchen - November 2014 (The Japan Edition)

Here's what's happening in my kitchen at the moment...



In case you haven't heard, I've just spent the most incredible 3 weeks in Japan. (Here are some photos of my adventure if you're interested.) I already had a serious crush on all things Japan, but now I'm a dead-set Bunny Boiler for the place. Read on and see for yourself.



 Chopstick Rests:

Aren't they gorgeous? I bought these chopstick rests at the morning market in Takayama. There were so many to choose from I was having palpitations trying the make a decision. I had to have a shot of sake after I bought them, just to calm my nerves.



Harumi's Japanese Cooking:

I looked high and low for cook books while I was in Japan, but didn't find any in English. It was probably a good thing, as our baggage allowance would have been exceeded by about a hundred kilos otherwise. Needless to say, after unpacking my bags, I immediately ordered Harumi's book and received it shortly thereafter, making me one happy (jet-lagged) woman. This is a gem of a book. It has many of the dishes we ate and loved while we were there. I've already made a few, including these Gyozas using her recipe as a guide.



Japanese Pantry:

And you can't cook Japanese food without a Japanese pantry. You could say I've stocked up on some "essential" items. (Others may call it hoarding.)



 Spoons:

I wanted ALL the spoons I saw in Japan. I never want to eat my soup with anything but these spoons forever and ever, amen.



Matcha Bowl:

I bought this beautiful matcha bowl at the Nishiki Market in Kyoto. It's made by a local artist and has an indentation on each side for finger and thumb for easy gripping. My matcha tastes so much better when I drink it out of this... seriously.



Japanese Tea Making Paraphernalia:

Because a girl can never have too many teapots.



Ocha:

We used to have a beer and wine fridge, now it's an Ocha fridge...



Kirin:
... with a little bit of room for some beer... Japanese, of course.



Anyway, that's my kitchen for now.

Pop on over and check out the links to bloggers’ kitchens around the world at In My Kitchen on
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
Posted by at
Labels:

45 comments:

  1. cynthia1 November 2014 at 13:41

    Those spoons and those ceramics are breathtaking! Love these spoils of your trip :) it sounds like it was a blast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey1 November 2014 at 20:12

      Thanks, and it was Cynthia. I can't wait to go back.

      Delete
  2. Lizzy (Good Things)1 November 2014 at 14:10

    What a great haul! Sounds like your trip was wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey1 November 2014 at 20:12

      Thanks Liz. This is just a sample of my treasures. It certainly was a memorable trip.

      Delete
  3. nancy@plusatesix1 November 2014 at 14:31

    You really have gone all Japanese haven't you?! We lived there for 4 years and I left with a mild obsession with chopstick holders too. Your tea pot is just gorgeous - hmmmm I might have a few tea cups too.......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey1 November 2014 at 20:32

      Thanks Nancy, and yes, I think I've taken my obsession with Japan to a whole new level. Lucky you to have lived there for 4 years. That would have been a marvelous experience I imagine. My two sons study Japanese, so it was great for them to be fully immersed in the language and culture. That teapot makes the best cup of tea.

      Delete
  4. Kirsty1 November 2014 at 17:12

    Hajimemashite Jennifer! (sorry, my year 7 Japanese kicked in there). I think I would go a little nuts if I went to Japan. PS It is not 'hoarding' it is selective collecting : ) I will have to check out your pics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey1 November 2014 at 20:29

      Hajimemashite Kirsty. Douzo yoroshiku. Oh, I went completely bonkers when I was there. I fell in love with everything. "Selective Collecting"... I like that. Mind if I use it? :)

      Delete
    2. Kirsty4 November 2014 at 02:24

      Ha! not at all. Cheers, K xoxo

      Delete
  5. Anonymous1 November 2014 at 17:35

    Geez Jennifer - you are turning Japanese. Those spoons are just lovely. I would have bought so many more, bugger the luggage limit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey1 November 2014 at 20:31

      Yes!!! I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so... I did buy more, but I was too embarrassed to show you just how far my compulsions went. :0 Thanks so much to stopping by and checking out my kitchen.

      Delete
  6. Millie | Add A LIttle1 November 2014 at 20:58

    The spoons are too gorgeous! I also love the ocha - I basically live on it when I'm out there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey3 November 2014 at 07:47

      Major Ocha love from me too Millie. I drink it every day (hot and cold). Keeps me going. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  7. sherry from sherryspickings1 November 2014 at 22:31

    oh wow i am so envious. i would so love to go to japan. whenever i get some spare money (ha ha) i will absolutely go there. I adore those spoons and all your other japanese items. lovely..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey3 November 2014 at 07:48

      You've got to go Sherry. It's an amazing place. We just loved it. I bought back so much more than I've shown here... Couldn't help myself.

      Delete
  8. Unknown1 November 2014 at 23:58

    Aw, such memories! I worked in Yokohama many years ago. One night we went out in a storm to find a beer vending machine and instead found a teeny little kitten mewing under a blown over newspaper stand. We took her home and called her Kirin :) Luckily when it was time to leave we found a local that was willing to take her on as cats, back then at least, didn't live in peoples homes as pets.
    Janie x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey3 November 2014 at 07:50

      I love that story. Memories indeed... Oh, and don't get me started in those fantastic vending machines that dispense beer, vitamin water, cold tea, hot coffee... I want one installed in my house.

      Delete
  9. Gabrielle2 November 2014 at 02:27

    Wanna go to Japan again?? & add me in your luggages? Seriously, those chopsticks rests and those spoons are incredible. And the ingredients, the book...wow, I'm into Japan now!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Joanne T Ferguson2 November 2014 at 17:11

    G'day Love the chopsticks rest and love seeing your Japanese ingredients!
    Thank you for this month's kitchen view also!
    Cheers! Joanne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey3 November 2014 at 07:51

      Thanks Joanne. My pantry is busting at the seems LOL! Thanks for dropping into my kitchen.

      Delete
  11. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef2 November 2014 at 23:03

    Aren't you the lucky one with all that Japanese swag. I have just a bit of envy :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey3 November 2014 at 07:52

      Thanks Maureen. The Japanese packaging alone has me swooning. Thanks so much for your lovely comment.

      Delete
  12. Amy3 November 2014 at 14:58

    Those spoons! Swoon. The matcha bowl! Swoon.
    Don't listen to those negative Nellies telling you that you are hoarding. Pish tosh! You are stocking up on supplies to keep everyone's bellies full and faces smiling :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey4 November 2014 at 15:31

      Exactly Amy. Thanks for your understanding and support. I intent to put every item to good use. :)

      Delete
  13. Vicki @ Boiled Eggs & Soldiers3 November 2014 at 21:50

    What a gorgeous haul, loving those spoons and how cute are the chop stick holders. The matcha bowl is divine. Am inspired to go to Japan now! Thanks for the peek into your kitchen.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous3 November 2014 at 22:28

    Everything is fabulous but I absolutely LOVE your spoons. I have been hunting for spoons like that for the longest time. Seems a trip to Japan will have to be arranged.
    Have a super day.
    :-) Mandy xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey4 November 2014 at 15:32

      Yes. I think a trip to Japan is warranted on the strength of your need for spoons. I'm going back for more spoons so I don't see why you can't :)

      Delete
  15. Unknown3 November 2014 at 23:14

    I'm working with some Japanese students at the moment and they are desperately missing Japanese food. On the radio the other day Jon Faine described Japan as the only place on earth you can go and feel like you are on a completely different planet. That description and you amazing collection makes me want to go!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey4 November 2014 at 15:36

      John Faine is right on the money. I've done a lot of travel and Japan is so different from any place else. I can't wait to go back. Your Japanese students need a good Okonomiyaki to make them feel less homesick - they are easy to make!!!

      Delete
  16. Unknown3 November 2014 at 23:59

    The spoons are absolutely beautiful! Also love the ceramic chopstick plates. Looks like you have all the ingredients and tools to have fun cooking all things Japanese.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey4 November 2014 at 15:36

      I've been cooking up a storm since I've been back. Thanks Gretchen.

      Delete
  17. Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com)4 November 2014 at 20:24

    those essentials would be quite happy in my pantry! And I love the wooden spoons :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey11 November 2014 at 08:04

      Thanks. My Japanese pantry has expended about two-fold since publishing this post.

      Delete
  18. Liz6 November 2014 at 03:22

    Those spoons are gorgeous! I think I would want to keep stroking the wood.

    ReplyDelete
  19. celia6 November 2014 at 10:49

    If I could, I'd also have every one of those spoons in my kitchen! They're absolutely stunning! Love your little chopstick holders as well. I think you did well Jen, I reckon I'd have come home with bento boxes and those fabulous Japanese thermoses and more. I'm going to look for Harumi's book, thank you! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey11 November 2014 at 08:07

      Thanks Celia. I think I'm going to have to take another trip, just to buy all the things I didn't get last time. You'll love the book. It's really approachable. Some Japanese cookbooks aren't.

      Delete
  20. Tania @ The Cook's Pyjamas6 November 2014 at 13:17

    I love those little spoons. I picked up some similar ones in Singapore, and I could have bought more so I understand your obsession. Those cups and the teapot are beautiful.

    Your passion for Japan really shines through in your post. I might have to move it closer to the top of the bucket list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey11 November 2014 at 08:08

      Thanks so much Tania. I love to travel and experience other cultures (red: food), but Japan is a favourite.

      Delete
  21. Kim | a little lunch11 November 2014 at 03:45

    Jennifer, eating soup with a beautiful wooden spoon sounds homey and heartwarming. I think I've been missing out.
    P.S. I don't think you're hoarding -- just prepared for authentic cooking & tasty eating! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Milk and Honey11 November 2014 at 08:09

      Thanks Kim. Those are almost the same words I used to justify cramming my all ready over stuffed pantry with more food. LOL!

      Delete
  22. Anonymous11 November 2014 at 08:04

    The wooden spoons and matcha bowl are so gorgeous. Love the chopstick rests and the tea pot. Thanks for sharing your Japanese kitchen. :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Emily13 November 2014 at 06:48

    Hi Jennifer, the wooden spoons are beautiful, love that warm wood. Lovely pottery too!
    Thanks for sharing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. The Mother Hubbard's Cupboard23 November 2014 at 23:29

    I've only dabbled in Japanese food, but love eating it and I would like to be a bit more.... After sourdough :-) too much food, too little time :-) thanks for sharing! Liz xx

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sandy28 November 2014 at 19:47

    Wow that really is an awesome collection of Japanese things.
    Those spoons are so gorgeous!
    Sounds like you enjoyed your holiday :-)

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)