Jimami Tofu Recipe: How to Make Okinawan Peanut Tofu

Posted on August 16, 2021 by Rosanna

Jimami tofu (peanut tofu) with Sweetened Soy Sauce — Jimami *tofu (peanut tofu) with Sweetened Soy Sauce*

I first had jimami tofu (peanut tofu) when traveling in Mei Prefecture in Japan. Locals invited us over for a delicious breakfast consisting of miso soup, steamed rice, mango, kurobuta sausage, sweet Japanese omelet, pickled plums in honey, jimami tofu, and green tea. The tofu was unlike any other tofu I’ve ever had, bursting with peanut flavor in a sweet, savory sauce. At first, I assumed the sauce gave it the peanut flavor—since tofu usually takes on the flavor of the ingredients it’s paired with. Later, I found out that jimami tofu isn’t actually tofu—since it’s not made with soybeans; rather, it’s made from peanuts! It’s called tofu because it looks and feels like tofu. read more

Raku—the one Restaurant you must go to in Las Vegas

Posted on March 20, 2018 by Rosanna

Raku’s Crispy Fried Shrimp Appetizer

Dining at Raku—a Japanese restaurant specializing in charcoal grilled foods, house-made tofu, and other Japanese fare—is a sensual food experience you don’t want to miss! Each bite ignites your taste buds and leaves you in culinary bliss. When the food arrives, life slows down, conversation stops, your attention shifts to the food; you savor and enjoy the delicacies served, then eagerly wait for the next course. It’s almost meditative—your mind focusing on the simple task of eating and enjoying the food set before you. Raku means comfort in Japanese and I can’t think of a more fitting name for a restaurant.

Compared to the glitz and glamour of many Las Vegas restaurants, Raku’s location—in a strip mall in Chinatown a couple of miles from the Las Vegas Strip—and atmosphere is unassuming. It’s a small, cozy restaurant with intimate seating. The focus is less on the surroundings than the food itself. When you enter the restaurant and taste the food, you will find yourself transported away from the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas and transported to a serene Japanese inn. If I had to recommend one restaurant you must go to in Las Vegas, I’d choose Raku. It’s hands down my favorite restaurant in Las Vegas.

Ordering the Omakase Menu at Raku Las Vegas Restaurant

During past visits to Raku, we ordered à la carte (which we loved), but this time we wanted to try the omakase—chef’s choice—menu, as it usually contains the restaurant’s best dishes and we wanted to see what the chef would select. Raku’s omakase menu varies nightly and is entirely up to the chef. You can select between two omakase options, one for $75 and one for $100 per person, both provide the same number of courses; however, the more expensive option features premium ingredients, such as blue fin tuna and caviar.

Bottle of Nigori (Unfiltered) Sake at Raku Restaurant in Las Vegas

To start the meal off, we ordered a bottle of nigori sake that had a milky, sweet taste. I was slightly disappointed that they no longer bring you an assortment of sake glasses to choose from. I really appreciated this in the past and thought it was a unique and personal way to serve sake. However, the sake glasses provided were robust stoneware and felt nice in the hands.

Raku’s Homemade Tofu with Bonita Flakes, Chives, and Ginger

The Raku omakase menu started off with their homemade tofu dish—plain tofu served with bonita flakes, chives, and grated ginger. Raku makes their tofu in-house and the texture is incredible; the consistency feels like cream cheese. The first bite they recommend having alone, so you can truly appreciate the freshness of the tofu. Then they recommend tasting it with the toppings as well as sprinkling a little of their green tea salt on top. This dish will transform the way you think about tofu—it’s like eating a fluffy, savory cheesecake. Truly delicious! If you’re ordering à la carte, make sure to try one of their signature tofu dishes.

Raku’s Green Tea Salt, Koregusu (Okinawan hot sauce), Soy Sauce, and Shichimi (Japanese Spice Blend)

Part of what makes Raku Restaurant special is their attention to detail, from their homemade condiments to their carefully curated dishware. Everything has a purpose and adds to the dining experience.

Mini Oysters with Sturgeon Caviar and Meyer Lemon at Raku Restaurant

Texture plays a prominent role in Japanese cuisine and is considered an important part of taste. Just like the first course’s texture tantalized the taste buds, this course played with texture as well. The oysters—long considered an aphrodisiac and luxury in many cultures—were topped with caviar. We slurped the oysters out of their shells, rolling the caviar along our tongues, savoring the saltiness of the caviar and the smokiness of the oysters. The oysters were very fresh, creamy, and smooth.

Sashimi with Pickled Chrysanthemum at Raku Restaurant in Las Vegas

Sashimi, slices of raw fish, factor heavily into Japanese cuisine, as does seafood in general. The chef chose to serve us 4 types of sashimi as part of our omakase menu: seared blue fin tuna (incredibly smoky and full of umami flavor), raw blue fin tuna (very pleasing and fresh), crevalle jack (creamy and fatty, without being greasy), and amberjack (pleasant tasting, but not as good as the crevalle jack). The pickled chrysanthemum served as a palate cleanser, and was different from the pickled ginger normally served alongside sushi. The presentation was colorful and artfully arranged—glistening silver skin, the pink flesh of the tuna, a lemon curl, a transparent radish slice, a purple pansy.

Raku’s Crispy Fried Shrimp Appetizer (an à la carte item)

These shrimp were not on the omakase menu, but we couldn’t go to Raku and not order them! Ever since we had these shrimp, the very first time we dined at Raku, we have been looking for restaurants that served them. They’re crispy and delectable, and one of our favorite dishes. This time, we added a little of their hot sauce and chili-spice powder to the shrimp and quickly devoured them.

Bacon-Wrapped Enoki Mushrooms with Ponzu Glaze at Raku Las Vegas Restaurant

After the crispy shrimp, the meal transitioned to the robatayaki—fireside cooking or foods cooked over hot coals. First we served bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms with a ponzu glaze. The bacon was a surprising feature since bacon isn’t often used in Japanese cooking. In fact, I don’t think I recall ever seeing bacon while in Japan, except maybe at a buffet breakfast that served Japanese and Western foods. However, the use of bacon in this dish worked wonders. These were the crispiest, smokiest enoki mushrooms we’ve ever had.

Beltfish in Soy Glaze with Shaved Daikon Radish at Raku Las Vegas read more

An Insider’s Guide to Eating Like a Local in Mie Prefecture, Japan

Posted on March 5, 2018 by Rosanna

Yasushi and Kinuko in Front of the Meoto Iwa Shrine in Mie Prefecture, Japan

After our adventures in Tokyo and Daisetsuzan, we traveled to Mei Prefecture, where we stayed with family friends Yasushi and Kinuko. These gracious and hospitable local hosts planned an itinerary filled with cultural and historical sites, museums, and their favorite restaurants. Each day, they introduced us to different types of Japanese cuisine and what Yasushi described as food “challenges,” which we eagerly took on!

Unlike many countries, Japanese restaurants typically feature one–and only one–specific style of cooking, meaning whatever variety they have is centered on a niche cuisine. For example, you might go to a restaurant specializing in tsukemen (dipping ramen), or to a restaurant dedicated to sushi, or to a restaurant that only serves tonkatsu; however, you wouldn’t often find a restaurant offering a combination thereof. Not only does this specialization allow chefs to fine-tune their skills, but it also results in a superb experience for any dish you’re interested in–assuming you find the right place … keep reading.

Here’s are the different types of food we had in Mie Prefecture and the restaurants recommended by locals Yasushi and Kinuko.

An Insider’s Guide to Eating Like a Local in Mie Prefecture, Japan – What to Eat and Where

Order Tofu Dengaku (miso-glazed tofu) at Dengakuzawakaya Restaurant

Tofu Dengaku at Dengakuzawakaya Restaurant in Mie Prefecture, Japan

Corey and I had recently taken a tofu class in Tokyo, where we learned how to cook many dishes featuring tofu. Knowing our interest in tofu, our hosts took us to Dengakuzawakaya, a restaurant specializing in grilled miso-glazed tofu.

When you walk into the restaurant, you see the chef standing before a bin of smoldering charcoal. A narrow rod extends the length of the grill. The chef balances one end of the skewers on the rod and the other end on the side of the grill, cooking the tofu over the coals and infusing it with a rich, smoky flavor. The chef then adds miso glaze as a finishing touch. read more

The Magic of Wynwood: Artists, Brewmasters, and Chefs Embrace Creativity

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Rosanna

Me on Graffiti Staircase Surrounded by Art in Wynwood

Wynwood—a neighborhood in Miami known for its street art—stimulates your senses and taps into your creative energy. It’s an exciting place with larger-than-life murals, bold imagery, and eye-catching designs. Everywhere you look, art surrounds you; it covers the walls, sidewalks, stairs, and railings, and it’s constantly changing and metamorphosing into something new.

One of the beautiful things about street art is its ephemeral nature. It’s made for people to appreciate in the moment, knowing that it will not last, much like a chef prepares a meal; it’s designed to evoke feelings that people will remember long after the mural is gone. This constant regeneration of art and ideas invigorates Wynwood, challenging artists to keep producing and engaging with their art. This atmosphere draws innovators and fosters their creativity. It’s why Wynwood has some of the best art, restaurants, and breweries in Miami—this continual push to take risks and produce something unique and different.

Building Covered in Street Art and Graffiti in Wynwood

Same Building and View 4 Months Later

As you can see, these murals reflect a totally different style and feel from one another. The first evokes a dark and brooding atmosphere, while the second one is playful and child-like.

What to do in Wynwood – Creative Spaces to Explore

Walk Around Wynwood – I suggest aimlessly walking up and down the streets of Wynwood; that way you get a feel of the place, the magnitude and scope of the art, and the diverse art styles. I have discovered many of my favorite murals this way. The spontaneity adds to the adventure. It’s unbelievable the level of detail and realism these artists achieve given the rough, uneven surface they’re working with and the large-scale nature of their murals.

Eel, Squid, and Barracuda Mural in Wynwood

Wynwood Fiery Phoenix Mural by NY Graffiti Artist @nmeoner

Red Convertible in Front of The Wynwood Building

Peacock Mural on Wynwood Garage

Colorful Phoenix by Guatemalan Artist Javier España @spaint

Graffiti Mural with Skeleton in Convertible in Wynwood

Wonder Woman Sugar Skull Mural by LA Artist Cloe Hakakian @cloehakakian read more

Biking Among Alligators in Shark Valley, Everglades National Park

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Rosanna

Alligator Swimming in Shark Valley, Everglades National Park

Some of my favorite memories occur in nature and visiting national parks. There’s something calming about the natural world; life seems to slow down and you tend to focus more on the present. You can watch the wildlife and appreciate the beauty of the space around you. Studies show that spending time in nature reduces stress and improves our overall health. That’s part of the reason we should protect and treasure our national parks. They benefit us, the world, and the living creatures that inhabit them.

Shark Valley—located in the Everglades National Park—is a world heritage site significant for its subtropical wetlands and diverse plant and animal life. It’s a great place to observe alligators in their natural environment. There’s a 15-mile paved biking trail that loops around the park (you can also take a tram if you don’t want to bike, but I prefer biking because you can go at your own pace and more fully immerse yourself into the scenery).

Seeing Alligators at Shark Valley, Everglades National Park

Along the trail, you will see many alligators basking in the sun, swimming in the canals—and if you’re lucky—you might even spot one walking!

A Lazy Alligator Basking in the Sun at Shark Valley, Everglades National Park

Most of the alligators you see will be sedentary, making slight movements, like the flicker of an eye, the stretching of a limb, or the slow opening of the jaw. This is great for wildlife viewing and photography; however, just because they’re motionless, doesn’t mean you should act irresponsibly. These are wild creatures, capable of violence, so respect their space.

A Mother Alligator (Top) Keeps a Watchful Eye on her Hatchlings (Bottom) at Shark Valley

Depending on the season, you might even get to see baby alligators in the wild! We saw them at Shark Valley in February. It was special seeing all the babies that day. Some huddled together in heaps, others climbed on their mother’s back; while others lounged on shore near the water, a quick escape within reach. Alligators sometimes get a bad rap—people view them as violent, cold-hearted creatures—but they’re actually sweet and affectionate mothers, and they rarely attack people.

A Baby Alligator Lounging at the Edge of the Water in Shark Valley

Biking in Shark Valley, Everglades National Park

Me with my Bike in Front of the Sign for Shark Valley, Everglades National Park

The bike path—a flat, paved 15-mile loop—begins behind Shark Valley’s Visitor Center. You can rent bikes there as well for $9/hour (they’re not the best bikes, but they get the job done). It’s a leisurely 2- to 3-hour bike ride on a mountain bike or cruiser. There are also a few short unpaved spur trails along the route, which are for walking only. These trails are currently closed, however, for restoration from Hurricane Irma.

Me on the Shark Valley Bike Path

The beginning of the trail is the busiest part—congested with pedestrians, photographers, and bikers—but around mile 3 or 4 the crowd tapers off and it’s pretty smooth sailing from there on out. While biking, you’ll wildlife in abundance, including ibises (white and brown), great blue herons, crows, alligators, turtles, anhingas, yellow-throated warblers, butterflies. The landscape consists of flat beds of grass with slightly elevated islands of hammocks sprinkled throughout. On the right-hand side of the path, there’s a seasonally full canal lined with small trees, and this is where you’ll see most of the birds and wildlife. In fact, there is an especially large amount of wildlife at Shark Valley because the land is slightly lower than the surrounding Everglades, forming a “river” within the massive flow of water that comprises the Everglades.

Butterfly on Flower in Shark Valley, Everglades

Shark Valley Observation Tower

At mile marker 7, you can park your bike and walk on a path leading to an observation tower that gives you a 360-degree view of the Everglades—they extend as far as the eye can see with practically no signs of human alteration.

Shark Valley Observation Tower

The spiral stairs to the top deck always tempt me, but unfortunately, access to this section is off-limits. Though, I can’t really complain. The view is still great.

View from the Shark Valley Observation Tower read more

FLAVORFUL JOURNEYS

TASTE THE WORLD & EXPERIENCE LIFE & CULTURE THROUGH FOOD

Category Archives: My Travels