Hotcake - Japanese Pancake

Everyone's favorite! 

I think Japanese pancake is a more thick and fluffy.  Very easy just try it! 

You can add more milk if the mix is too thick or you want to stretch it further.

Great served with fruit and cream or maple syrup and jam♥

** Japanese Hotcake ** 

 Ingredients

1 Egg

3 Tbsp Sugar 

1 Tbsp oil 

130 ml Milk

Few drops of Vanilla essence 

150g (1 and 1/2cups) Flour 

1 and 1/2 tsp Baking powder 

Instructions
1. Sift flour and  baking powder together.
2. Mix the egg, sugar, oil in bowl.
3. Add milk and vanilla, mix well.
4. Add flour mixture, mix until smooth.
5. Pour over the preheated pan (low - middle heat) Flip when they start to bubble and you will end up with a nice golden hotcake.
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This original recipe is from very famous Japanese cooking community site called Cookpad where you can find whatever you want to cook and bake!!

Original recipe by Keyua - ->  http://cookpad.com/recipe/252539

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We love thick hotcakes :)

This is a very famous "Iwata coffee shop" 's hotcake! 5cm thick x2!!

It takes 30 minutes to bake. Wow!!

Do you like baking?
Do you like Japan?
How much do you know the geography of Japan?
I got a unique cookie cutter!!  

Japan Geographical Biscuit Cookie Cutter 46 pieces set 

 Available on Ebay ;)

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Japan-Geographical-Biscuit-Cookie-Cutter-46-pieces-set-NEW-/160802612702?pt=AU_Utensils&hash=item25709525de

Mother's day pick-up

I know it's little bit too late to do online shopping for Mother's day!

BUT isn't it good to receive some presents at anytime? and I know your mum will LOVE it!!

Here is few pick-ups for your mum☆ 

Ruffle and lace soft scarf – Black   Three different color available.      
Cotton scarf / stole / wrap / shrug – Indigo Blue   Three different pattern available.

Wooden Cherry blossom earrings  You can choose from gold or silver, and also pink, white, peach pearl beads.

Kimono fashion shoulder bag – Mustard yellow We have red one as well. both stunning!!  

Folding fan – Dragonfly   Many patterns and size available.
Tenugui – Japanese decorative hand towel – April    12 different designs(each month) available.

Japanese Ceder Sake Set – Round   Another design Sake set available.
Eggcup pincushion 2   Your mum do sewing? This is Japanese Kimono fabric pincushion with lid. Two different Eggcup pincushions available.

And last one, I think this is a great handmade gift idea for any occasions.

This is a Pentel Fabricfun Crayons

You can draw on the fabrics to make your own design things!! T shirts, pillow case, bag, curtains etc... Big fun for kids as well :) 

Isn't it lovely that you (or your kids or anyone) write a message on simple white bag or cushion cover to say "Thank you" "Love you" to you mum!!

Don't forget we are having Mother's day special sale at the moment. Everything 10% off!!!

When you sign up for a membership, you will get 3 points which is equal to 3 dollars instantly. (You can use 1point used as $1)

Get 10% off and extra 3 dollars!!

Zakka81 - Japanese Style 
http://www.zakka81.com.au

Caramel Apple Cake

This is apple cake BUT very soft and light.

Simple ingredients easy to make, BEST apple cake recipe in my life!!

**Caramel Apple Cake**

I used Bread loaf tin but you can use round cake tin, square tin (around 18m is better )etc...

Ingredients
2 Apples (peeled, cored, thinly sliced but not very thin)

20% Sugar from Apple's weight (If it's 300g of Apple, 60g Sugar)

10% Butter from Apple's weight (If it's 300g of Apple, 30g Butter)

1 teaspoon Cinnamon powder 

★2 Eggs 

★50g Sugar

100g Flower (Shift 3 times)

60g Butter (melted)


Instructions
1. Preheat oven 180℃. Brush a cake tin with melted butter to grease. Line the base and side with non-stick baking paper.

2. Make the caramel apple, put the apple, sugar and butter and cinnamon in a pan over low-medium heat. stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is dark amber, take time, until almost all of the moisture is gone.

3. Use an electric mixture in top pan of a double boiler until thick and pale. Sift the flour over the egg mixture and gently fold through the butter.

4.Add melted butter and fold through the butter. Then add caramel apple and mix.

5. Pour over the tin and bake around 20-25min or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks.

  

This original recipe is from very famous Japanese cooking community site called Cookpad where you can find whatever you want to cook and bake!!
Original recipe from Marimo1016  -->  http://cookpad.com/recipe/449965

**Mother's day 13th of May!!**
Don't forget to buy something special for you Mom!!

Zakka 81 - Japanese online gift shop

Folding fans, bag, accessories, scarves...etc

Children's day - Shobu and Sweets

I wrote about Children's day last 2 times, but let me explain once more for new visitor's :)

Children's Day is a Japanese holiday which takes place annually on May 5th, It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness.
But also known as "Tango no sekku", Families with young boys put up "Koi-nobori" (carp stream) in their yard and display dolls called "Musya ningyo" patterned after historical warriors and heroes to pray for their health and success in life.

On May 5, we put the Shobu (Japanese iris) leaves in hot bath and enjoy the fragrant Shobu-yu (iris hot-bath) because of the traditional belief that the iris bath is a miraculous prophylactic against all kinds of sickness. 

 Sumo wrestlers in Shobu-yu

In ancient times, iris leaves were also believed to have the mysterious power of extinguishing fire and for this reason, in rural areas today, people still observe the custom of putting iris leaves on the eaves of their houses on May 5 as a talisman against the possible outbreak of a fire or presence of evil spirits.

Now, Special day always comes with special food!! 

Kashiwa-Mochi and Chimaki are one of the traditional sweets eaten on Children's day.

Kashiwa-mochi is a kind of steamed Mochi(sticky rice cake) made with Joshin-ko and Shiratama-ko wrapping sweet red bean paste inside. Each of them is then wrapped with Kashiwa (oak leaves). 

 Chimaki is a sweet rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves.

 I found a recipe for kashiwa-mochi! If you have interest, try it!!

My Wagashi Chronicles - Kashiwa mochi

Looking for some Oriental home decor, fashion and accessories??

Check my shop!!

Zakka 81 - Japanese online gift shop

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