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28 Feb 2013

Zojirushi - Rice and more rice to come.

My husband and I love sushi. Apart from that also Chinese and Indian food where rice is used often. As we have moved a lot and changed our kitchen numerous times we discovered that it is getting more and more difficult to make our rice just right. We either couldn’t find the same brand anymore because of a different location or had to cook once on gas, other times on electrical stoves and because of these changes, we basically didn’t know how would our rice turn out. Until the other day, when we discovered a rice maker, thanks to our Japanese friends. What a discovery! We absolutely love the machine. It is a Japanese brand called Zojirushi. (I believe it means elephant. There is a logo of an elephant on the machine, so I guess it is true)

Our sushi rice turned out great the first time. I also made wild rice and it was perfect. I even cooked in it a mix called Garden Harvest Pilaf which I purchased in Costco and was really successful. You can also use it for porridge, but I haven’t tried this option yet. What I am planning to do is to put Quinoa in it and wait and see what it will come up withJ It would be great if it works as well. Will report on that later. This machine is such a time saver too. You can also use a timer and have your rice ready at your desired time. I would recommend this appliance to anyone who is annoyed with making rice in boiling water and wants to save time!


 

18 Feb 2013

House Hunting


Still looking for a house. Last year we decided to stay in Chicago for some time and hence to buy a house. We started our search, but as the suburban area is so big, we weren’t exactly sure where to look. In the end, after many months of research, we decided to stay in the suburb where we were actually renting our house. Unfortunately, we missed our opportunity to make an offer on a house as we were undecided at first, then the market got very quiet and it was the end of the year all of the sudden when the real estate market really slows down.

So, we are hopeful again this year!

 

Royce -Prafeuille Chocolate

Once again, I was delighted to receive another present from Japan. This time it was a box of chocolates that my husband brought me. It was "Prafeuille Chocolate" Maccha flavour by ROYCE.


Last year ROYCE’ opened its first American store on Madison Avenue in New York City. I hope they will make it to Chicago one day...soon!

http://royceconfectusa.com/

FLAHSHIP BOUTIQUE
ROYCE’ Chocolate Boutique
509 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10022

BRYANT PARK BOUTIQUE
32 W 40th St
New York, NY 10018

I love Japanese deserts and sweets! There are always made with a sense of best quality and taste. I like to eat 'with my eyes' as well and in this sense their products never fail you.  

I am sorry, but I don't like most of the American chocolates. I have tried several well known local brands and to me they all somehow taste the same and are very very sweet. I definitely don't enjoy it. It is just lots of fat and sugar and I wonder if there is actually any cocoa powder left in these products.