That’s a tuna and scallion rice bowl, in case you were wondering…

This is one of our favorite dinners.  We both love sushi, so this is kind of like a deconstructed sushi bowl.  Yes..it’s all raw, and it’s delicious.

I am most comfortable cooking in asian food styles: Thai, Chinese, Korean, Malay, and especially Japanese.  My husband and I even went to Japan for our honeymoon!  We have very nostalgic memories of the flavors and textures we experienced there, and I’ve been aching to recreate some of those experiences at home.

Sukiyaki in Kyoto Japan

I guess it all started back when I first moved out of my parents’ house.  I didn’t know how to make much of anything.  I could put together a sandwich or boil up some ramen noodles, but that was about it.  It became apparent that if I wanted to eat anything else ever again, I was going to have to teach myself to cook.

I was a complete Japan-o-phile as a teenager, and I guess I still am.  So I started learning how to make asian-style foods because that was what I was interested in trying but couldn’t get my hands on.  I started small: just adding vegetables and meats to my ramen noodles, and eventually I had acquired a pantry full of ingredients to cook in an asian style, but not much else!

Dressed-up ramen

I do cook other things now- I’m making black bean enchiladas tonight and fancy pressed sandwiches tomorrow, but I usually make asian style dishes 4 to 5 times a week.

Here’s some of the dishes I’ve experimented with…

Beef Hot Pot

Pork Katsu

Salmon Onigiri

Salmon and Avocado Makimono

Thai Green Chicken Curry

I make this kind of food because this is what I love to eat, and what my husband loves to eat.  I’m so glad he’s an adventurous eater- it just would not work out between me and someone who only eats pork chops with mac-and-cheese.

I look forward to sharing some more of these foods that I love so much.  They are all really quite easy with a well-stocked pantry.

What are your favorite cuisines that you just can’t get enough of?