smartygirlCA's Journal, 03 Apr 16

Vida!! Freaking iPhone!! 

I'm interested in what you like about Japanese diet and food. 

Do you know how to download pics. would love to see what you described above. I used to eat my Mom's hominys, I think. I think it is difficult on a phone. I do it on a laptop.  

Hi Warren, I honestly just Jude my iPhone when I can escape the kids, but I should try to do the laptop more often. Lately my food tastes are Asian and Mexican (I actually lived in Zacatecas Mexico for a few months!) About the Japanese food- well, I grew up on it, they do have their fatty carby foods like potato croquettes and pork Katsu known as Tonkatsu (breaded in panko, douched in egg to make the panko stick, white flour) fried up the panko gets very crispy! Unfortunately, teriyaki chicken is an American invention so in Japan you won't find it! However, now that I'm cutting carbs, I think a lot of Shabu Shabu is healthy. Keep in mind, this is good for 2 or more people. If you ever go out to Sawtelle in West L.A. You will find Shabu Shabu restaurants. For Shabu Shabu, you cook it on the table where you sit. So you need a portable gas burner grill. Place a big pot of boiling water on top and add white fish dashi (bottled at Japanese market) and a big piece of kombu (dried kelp) but essentially you are making a broth. For preparation before hand, place on a big plate the veggies which you will cook- Napa cabbage (cut in chunks, green and white onion, cut thick slices), enoki mushrooms, Shirataki noodles (carb free), maybe some other mushrooms like Shiitake or Eringi (whatever you can find), thin slices carrots if you like, and big chunks of firm tofu (cut 2 X 2 inches). Then the meat! If you go to Japanese grocery store like Marukai market, they already have Shabu Shabu beef pre packaged. They also have thin slice pork belly (very delicious) and thin slices pork for Shabu Shabu. The key to the meat is it is very thin slices- like paper thin. Maybe a butcher or Carniceria can make it thin sliced enough.. Think deli meat thin. Ok, so ingredients are prepared... All placed on a plate (looks aesthetically pretty and colorful, fresh) you have your boiling pot of broth at the center of the table. Chopsticks out, and small individual bowls which you will fill with Ponzu sauce (basically a lemon soysauce) and add grated Daikon radish to the soysauce. Some people don't like the grated daikon (my husband hates it) so omit it, it's fine! I personally like 2 small dipping sauce bowls- one for the ponzu and one for Gomadare which is basically a Sesame seed dressing. However, sesame seed dressing is not low carb. I won't use it anymore! Plates are set, boiled water is on, veggies and meat displayed at the table, now it's time to cook! Add a little bit of each type of veggie to the pot. Tofu takes a little more time to cook, that will stay in longer like 8 min. Other veggies are done when soft. Transfer to small bowl with ponzu, eat! The meats don't have to be well done. Take a paper thin slice of meat with your chopsticks and don't let go! Instead 3 seconds of swaying in the pot... Say "Shabu Shabu Shabu Shabu " then take it out, put in your bowl of ponzu, eat! It's very fun, but go to a Shabu Shabu restaurant first so you can see! You live in L.A. So you can find a bunch on Yelp! It's really healthy and you can adapt it to low carb. Just don't eat the steamed rice!!! 

Funny, you are talking to a guy that doesn't cook. lol But I really appreciate the effort. I will Yelp a Shabu restaurant. that sounds really neat. Closest thing I have done is Benihana's lol. They have one at Westgate, the old Hilton in Vegas. You sound like you are pretty into the Japanese food. That's really cool thanks! 

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/20-simple-and-oishii-japanese-30-minute-recipes.html Check this out, and I got some good pics! 

Great choices. It's fun to see how much we can actually omit, replace, etc.  

Hi Mistybenner, thank you for always giving me good life support! So far, I'm in Ketosis (I assume cause I feel great, not hungry, not sluggish) I learn so much too from here, so many different personalities but everyone having the same goal of health! It's awesome all the different cultures, and depending on what part of the world people are from, different norms of food!  

Hi Warren, I got so into the explanation of Shabu Shabu, I felt like a cookbook!! Hahaha!! Benihana is good , but expensive and not the "real" Japanese food, it's very Americanized. But their heiress daughter is a cute actress, and their heir son is a pretty awesome DJ!! 

Yummy food for sure! I really like your explanation, but it only sounds yummy, I can't translate it to my taste buds.Name me a good Shabu restaurant, and will try it next time I'm near Hollywood. 

There's Shabu Shabu House in Little Tokyo Also Tokyo Shabu Shabu in Monterey Park They seem to be popping up all over the place, it's gaining popularity because of the fun aspects and healthy style of eating. Something about lightly cooking the meat in front of you with broth takes out blood and fat to make it lighter and it's fun! I must admit, you have to do a little work.. Hehe! You should try it with your wife, you guys might enjoy the experience! 

How cute are those smiling puppies!!!! 

Thanks Kpwcalories!! Those would be my little sweet n sour monsters!! 🤗 

Thanks Smarty, Monterey Park is close by. 

You are doing so awesome hun! 

Aaaaaaand I want your soup. Nao. I iz needinz soup! lol 

Hi SteelerMummeh That's so funny!!!! Thanks so much I hope you have a nice healthy day!! 

Yummeh! Totally gonna try this soup one day this month :)