I just needed a bit of home, can't find chewy, raisiny oatmeal cookies in Japan. Actually, good old Quaker oats is quite difficult to find - I miss that pot-bellied happy old man.

Ingredients:
170 grams softened butter
210 grams brown sugar
1 egg
105 grams flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
260 grams oatmeal
200 grams raisins

1. Mix the butter with a whisk until softened. Add in the sugar and mix well. Add the egg.
2. In another bowl, whisk the flour, salt & baking soda.
3. Add the flour mixture to butter mixture. Use a spatula to mix together. Add in the oatmeal - then add raisins.
4. If you have time, put the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes so it becomes firm.
5. Roll dough into small balls and put on a baking sheet. I made each piece about 25 grams in size.
6. Bake at 170 degrees Celsius for about 20 minutes.

If you are looking for something different for sandwich filling, try this one.  The recipe can also help save on calories if you use light mayonnaise and boil or steam the chicken.

Instructions

1. Depending on how many you need to feed, use 3 - 4 chicken breasts and lightly fry or boil the meat.

2. After the meat is cooked, put in a food processor and lightly mix in mayonnaise, curry powder, mango chutney, salt & pepper. You will need to adjust the taste as you like it - especially for the curry powder & mango chutney.

3. Remove from the food processor and mix in  raisins. Not too many, just enough to add flavor. You can also add a few chopped walnuts to really dress up  this recipe.

For the bread, I made these rolls. If you are going to use the rolls for sandwiches, I wouldn't add dried fruits.

Lunch is on!

I found this brand in a local store - not sure what will be in your supermarket

A tasty addition to any dinner party

If you need to dress up a dinner party, here is your answer. 

The onions on top on this tart are slowly fried to bring out the sweetness in them. They top a tasty dough made with olive oil and then baked. The black olives added after baking give just the right amount of saltiness and tang to this tart.

Dough

1. Mix the egg yolk & water.
2. Sift the flour, salt and baking powder together. Add the egg mixture to the flour. Mix with a spatula. Add the olive oil.
3. Mix the dough with your hands to mix well. Cover with wrap and put in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before using.
4. Thinly slice the onions and put in a large frying pan on medium heat with some olive oil for frying. Stir often while cooking. You can add a little bit of water if the onions become too dry. The onions should cook until lightly browned and very soft.
5. Roll out the dough on a floured board and place inside a tart ring. Cover the dough with cooking paper and fill with baking beans. Bake at 190 degrees Celsius for about 15 - 20 minutes. 
6. Remove the cooking paper and baking beans. Fill with the onion mixture. Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for about 20 minutes.
7. Slice some black olives and decorate the tart before serving.

Great cookies for an afternoon break

Here is another recipe that is quite easy but has a sophisticated look & taste.    
I use this quite often as a 'go to' recipe when I need to bring a dessert to someone's house.

The bottom of the cookie is shortbread and topped off with caramelised almonds.

These bars will only take about 45 minutes to complete. Since they are quite rich, you don't need to cut large pieces for your guests.

Ingredients:

Shortbread:
170 grams butter (soft)
100 grams powdered sugar
1 egg
340 grams flour
pinch salt

1.  Whisk the butter until it is soft. Add the powdered sugar & salt. Mix well.
2. Mix in the egg.
3. Sift the flour and add to butter mixture. Evenly smooth the dough in a baking pan.
4. Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for about 20 minutes.

Smooth dough using a bench scraper before baking

After baking, the cookies brown further

Mixture will become light brown Do not over cook

Cupcakes didn't take off in Japan as much as they did in the U.S. over the last couple of years. 

Sex in the City, was not so popular  here either. Only a small portion of the female population tuned in and followed the sequels.  Tokyo definitely has all of the glitz of NYC, and more, but lifestyles are different. I think everyone is too tired working to enjoy -- anything!

I am not usually a fan of traditional baked cakes, but this recipe is quite good.

Ingredients:
60 grams unsalted butter (room temperature)
150 grams flour
1 large egg (mixed)
10 grams cocoa powder
red food coloring
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
120 grams buttermilk
150 grams flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar

1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees Celsius. Line a cupcake tin with paper cases.
2. Place butter and sugar in a bowl and mix until light & fluffy. Slowly add in the egg and mix until well incorporated.
3. In a small bowl, mix the food coloring, cocoa powder and vanilla extract until it makes a paste. 
4. Add the paste to the butter mixture and mix thoroughly until the color is mixed evenly through the batter. Be sure to scrape down any batter on the sides of the bowl with a spatula. The batter should be a deep rose pink/red color.
5. On slow speed, slowly add the half of the buttermilk until well mixed then add half of the flour until well mixed. Repeat for the remaining milk and flour, mixing until batter is smooth.
6. Add the salt, baking soda and vinegar - turn up the speed and mix for a couple of more minutes.
7. Spoon batter into each paper case until no more than two-thirds full.
8. Bake at 20 - 25 minutes or until the top of a cupcake bounces back when lightly touched.
9. Once the cupcakes have cooled lightly in the baking tray, remove them and place on a wire rack to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Icing:
300 grams powdered sugar
50 grams unsalted butter (room temperature)
125 grams cream cheese

1. Mix the powdered sugar and butter until well mixed.
2. Dice the cream cheese into small pieces and mix into the butter until well mixed. Use a hand mixer to whip so that it is light & fluffy. Add a small amount of milk if it too dry.
3. When the cupcakes are cooled, pipe the cream cheese top using a pastry bag to make a nice decoration.

Enjoy!

Another nostalgic recipe that never goes out of style

140 grams milk
2 egg yolks

1. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
2. Whisk eggs & egg yolks with sugar until yellow & fluffy. Put bowl over warm water while mixing if needed.
3. Heat milk and butter together just until the butter melts. Put in a bowl and cool.
6. Be sure to prepare round baking pans coated with butter and flour before preparing the cake.

Custard Cream Filling:
150 grams milk
20 grams sugar
2 egg yolks
25 grams custard powder
3 grams gelatin
1. Mix the egg yolks and sugar then add the custard powder. Heat the milk until just boiling. Add to the egg yolk mixture and mix - add back to the sauce pan and heat on low heat until thickened. Remove from the heat.
2. Soften the gelatin in water and to the custard mixture. Pour into a bowl and cool.
3. Do not overheat the egg mixture!

Putting Things Together:

Ready for Dessert!

Got Milk?

Found the infamous Skippy in a local supermarket Have to travel far & wide in Tokyo for foreign goods

Use a fork to make the signature mark

The finished product - enjoy !!

Keep dough pieces the same size so that the cookies bake evenly together

Simple and sophisticated

You should keep this recipe in your Top 10 file and use when  guests are coming or when you need to bring something. It is simple, yet elegant. If you add an extra topping such as blueberry sauce it will truly be unforgettable.

Mix in egg white to the chocolate in portions

12 cm baking circles on top of silicon sheets

Don't let the cakes become too browned