musk melon.
a gift from h-kun's okaasan (mom). perfect looking musk melon. expensive. and tastey. the box is equally as appealing.
rice.
and lots of it. h-kun's family usually provides us with our rice. but we ran out. and we are planning on joining a genmai (brown rice) co-op soon. i've been trying to hold out until we can get some from one of the two previous places. or both. but poor h-kun is struggling. so i broke down and bought some white stuff today.
how to choose rice at a supermarket in japan. head to the rice aisle. choose the size of bag you want. 2 kg. 5 kg. most of the rice packaging has a map on it. that tells you where in japan it is from. based on your knowledge of rice and rice growing locations, choose the appropriate bag. and don't worry about the price too much. it is all expensive. well, that is what the locals do. i'm not local. therefore i have my own method. watch what the lady in front of you chooses. after she leaves the aisle ... choose the same rice. the pink on the bag may have also influenced today's decision.
and lots of other sugoku oishii (really delicious) food.
this arrived in the mail yesterday. thanks to a friend's recommendation. the pictures make me want to quit my job. and cook japanese food. all day. i'm serious.
oh yummmmmmmmmm
Posted by: Tracy | September 19, 2007 at 05:38 AM
I must.have.that.book - what a great title and cover. You are so energetic - my wish would be for someone to SERVE me sugoku oishii japanese food all day. Loved the rice story too - you are so funny.
Posted by: Teri | September 19, 2007 at 08:09 AM
oh yummm! i want some rice...and some japanese food!!! NOW!
Posted by: leslie | September 19, 2007 at 08:25 AM
Totally sympathize with the rice withdrawal. It's the starch staple in Hawaii as well. Um, but the rest of the food looks better than Spam, which is the other Hawaii staple. Ask your friends if they ever heard of a spam musubi (heh).
Posted by: *karen | September 19, 2007 at 09:00 AM
That is hilarious about shopping for rice... I would totally do the same thing!! That melon looks yummy and you are right, that box is adorable!!
Posted by: Rachel | September 19, 2007 at 09:29 AM
i am a rice lover, too. wish we had all those choices. i think your method sounds about perfect!
Posted by: erin | September 19, 2007 at 09:53 AM
I totally understand too!! I have an Asian background, so I grew up with rice....three meals a day, pretty much. I'm a little better now as my partner cooks very yummy food, from Asian dishes to Greek, Italian, West Coast Canadian etc, etc! He's a natural!
My weakness is food- good food. mmm that book looks super! YUM Can you get that outside of Japan?
Posted by: Celia | September 19, 2007 at 10:10 AM
I've done exactly your same rice-choosing method....except I did it for cold meats in a grocery in Italy (while on a month-long holiday). How funny! If the locals buy it, must be pretty good.....We eat a lot of rice here, too. Both the husband and I think its a lot less heavy than mash.
Posted by: Jade | September 19, 2007 at 03:31 PM
The rice in Japan is far superior to what we can get over here in the US. You are so lucky! I was visiting in Japan 3 years ago and still remember the rice!
Yeah, fruit is so expensive in Japan.
Posted by: Oiyi | September 19, 2007 at 07:25 PM
I understand what you are saying about rice. My husband is Filipino and had to get Chinese when we were in Italy because he was going through withdrawl. The only other family in the Chinese restaurant in Italy was Filipino too.
Posted by: Kirsten | September 19, 2007 at 08:04 PM
I just saw a similar melon for sale here in Singapore - for SGD50! (that works out to be about USD33 or so). You have to tell me if it's worth that kind of money.
Posted by: mel | September 19, 2007 at 08:12 PM
that recipe book does look great. Your cooking always is presented so well.
Posted by: cheryl | September 19, 2007 at 09:27 PM