Portugal – that was where we spent last New Year. We stayed at a B&B in Lamego in the Douro Valley. The place used to be a servants’ quarter and had a big open fire pit. We were watching the fire while drinking beautiful homemade (real) port. That was our beginning of 2019.
Perth – this is where we are spending our New Year. We are just doing our tradition – going to the beach, eating Osechi (a Japanese New Year’s food, which is a set of several dished prepared for New Year’s celebration – please read here fore more info) and drinking bubbles. It might not sound as exotic as Portugal, but we are having a peaceful time.
I have been thinking what I want to do in 2020… I certainly want to travel more this year as we did not do much last year. I want to do more Flamenco – there is no such thing as “too much Flamenco” anyway. Hopefully there is a bit of a good change on work. I would also like more people to cook my recipes, which I truly believe are easy and delicious. A few ideas…, see if I can beat my laziness…
This is our Osechi Menu:
- Nishime (simmered vegetables with Daikon Radish, Carrot, Okra, Konjac and Shiiake Mushroom)
- Koya Tofu (simmered Japanese dried tofu)
- Kombu Maki (simmered rolled kelp)
- Ebi no Umani (prawns cooked in soy sauce, sake and mirin)
- Kuromame (simmered black beans)
- Kurikinton (chestnut and sweet potato paste)
- Gomame (dried anchovies caramelised with sugar, mirin and soy sauce)
- Kohaku Namasu (pickled daikon and carrot)
- Chicken Chashu
- Hokkaido Scallop Sashimi
- Ozoni (clear soup with mochi/rice cake)
I wish you a year filled with peace, good health and happiness with a lot of delicious food 🙂
A Little Bit of Soy 