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Simon Daly
For Simon Daly's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
In this recipe, cherry tomatoes take the place of classic tomato puree, with sausage, onion, mushrooms and green pepper in tow, as is tradition.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Apr 14, 2024
Recipe: Italian-Japanese pasta with a pinch of South Korea
This is a balanced, delicious meal anyone can put together in 20 minutes flat.
This technique can also be used to marinade tofu that has had excess liquid pressed out.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Apr 7, 2024
Recipe: Miso-marinated Camembert
Umami rich and sticky sweet, 'dengaku' sauce is best known in recent times as a glaze for grilled eggplant.
The giant green signs of this supermarket chain can be slightly intimidating, but chefs of all stripes are welcome in Gyomu's aisles.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Mar 31, 2024
In praise of Gyomu Super, a gem of Japanese grocery shopping
With a name that translates to something like “commercial supermarket,” you might assume Gyomu is just a restaurant supply chain.
The soup is a simple version of classic French onion, and topping it with dried and grilled 'mochi' (rice cake), itself a single ingredient product, is a fun twist but can easily be switched out for traditional cheesy croutons.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Mar 31, 2024
Recipe: French onion soup a la Gyomu
A surefire way to grocery shop is to find the commodities with the shortest ingredient lists.
I was skeptical of Lillian Cumic's avocado tempura, but I wound up loving it.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Mar 3, 2024
Vegan or no, ‘Hawaii Washoku’ is a cookbook for all eaters
Chef Lilian Cumic offers creative versions of many of Japan’s most iconic dishes crafted from scratch with pantry staples found in most kitchens.
Even if you’re unfamiliar with 'kōji' by name, chances are you’ve been consuming it for a while.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Feb 18, 2024
Recipe: Dry rub to jump down the ‘kōji’ rabbit hole
On the eve of a major gathering of Aspergillus oryzae aficionados, here’s a ‘kōji’ recipe to get you started on your own adventure with the magical mold.
The term “snacking cake” has an adorable je ne sais quoi.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Feb 11, 2024
Recipe: Snacking carrot cake
The term “snacking cake” has an adorable je ne sais quoi. I wish they were more widely available in Japan, so here's one pared back to basics.
With a little dehydration and a few pinches of Japan's favorite mold, you've got yourself some game-ready wings with a Tokyo twist.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Jan 28, 2024
Recipe: Kickoff-ready glazed wings
These ponzu-glazed wings are a perfect finger food to enjoy alongside your early-morning football.
A little artful application of your pizza toppings can leave you feeling like you've just put together an equally aesthetic bowl of sushi and rice.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Jan 14, 2024
Recipe: ‘Chirashi’ pizza
In traditional 'washoku' cuisine, five flavors and five ways of cooking ensure balance of flavor and nutrition.
This chocolate salami dish is a no-bake truffle medley of chocolate ganache mixed with biscuits, nuts and dried fruit.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Dec 24, 2023
Recipe: Chocolate salami roll
The chocolate salami dish is a no-bake truffle medley of chocolate ganache mixed with biscuits, nuts and dried fruit.
Japan's 'itameshi' (Japanized Italian cuisine) has as many detractors as proponents, but you can elevate your pasta beyond the criticism with this edamame-infused dish.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Dec 3, 2023
Recipe: Edamame 'mollicata' pasta
Known in Basilicata as 'mollicata,' this rustic preparation can be served with or without cheese.
'Arayes' are a Lebanese dish made from raw meat stuffed into pita pockets and cooked until succulent inside and crispy outside.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Nov 26, 2023
Recipe: Coffee-spiced stuffed pitas
'Arayes' are a Lebanese dish made from raw meat stuffed into pita pockets and cooked until succulent inside and crispy outside.
While "yōkan" jellies are usually set quite solid with "kanten" agar, there is something to be said for using it more sparingly for a softer finished product.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Nov 12, 2023
Recipe: Sweet potato ‘pie’
With a little effort, you can turn baked sweet potatoes into a fun and easy introduction to the world of traditional Japanese sweets.
Feel free to add more than two dried persimmons for an even jammier finish to this filling dish.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Oct 29, 2023
Recipe: Pork and dried persimmon stew
The orange hue of carrots and persimmons are perfectly autumnal, and the dried and fresh persimmons add a light sweetness.
Japanese purin is a classic dish, but this plant-based version is a bit of a sweet twist.
LIFE / The Recipe Box
Oct 15, 2023
Recipe: Soy caramel flan
Looking for a sweet snack? Here’s a traditional caramel and plant-based custard with a seaweed extract setting agent.
Look for tempeh in health food stores or online from Japanese producers.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Oct 1, 2023
Recipe: Damascene tempeh kebab
Firmer than tofu, tempeh often works better as a direct substitution for both meat and nuts.
A bit of parchment paper, a few strips of kelp and an overnight cure takes a simple fish filet to new heights.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Sep 3, 2023
Recipe: Crispy kelp-cured salmon
This recipe can work with any skin-on fish, from luxurious golden-eyed snapper to ubiquitous salmon or trout.
Swapping out soybeans for chickpea flour puts a unique twist on this classic Japanese dish.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Aug 13, 2023
Recipe: Deep-fried chickpea tofu with 'devil's dung'
Unlike soy tofu, where proteins are coagulated from soy milk, Shan tofu uses heat-set starch with ochre-hued chickpea flour.
In the kitchen or on the road, be open to discovery and good things will happen.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Jul 30, 2023
Recipe: Street stall-fresh Shan-style noodles
Open your mind to wan dō fen, a hearty and strikingly hued dish of noodles cooked with chickpea custard, chili crisp oil and assorted toppings.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE RECIPE BOX
Jul 9, 2023
Recipe: Cream-fried eggs
Amid the recent egg shortage, I’ve been searching for interesting ways to honor those previous few I can get my hands on.

Longform

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on