Thursday, September 23, 2010

Enjoying life...

-Harvest moon-

Today is called 'Jyugoya' or 'Chusyu no meigetsu'. We do 'Otsukimi' for our tradition.
Jyugoya is full moon night. Chusyu no Meigetsu is mid-autumn moon or harvest moon. Otsukimi is looking at moon.
This time we look at harvest moon to feel the autumn. We decorate 'Otsukimi dango' (Rice dumplings) and 'Susuki' (Pampas grass) on day of the harvest moon.

The weather forecast said 'We might not see moon, due to the rain from this evening.'. Also at that time, there were some clouds around the moon. Moon was hid before and after I took this photo. I was a lucky to take a photo.


Otsukimi dango with moon...

I made some Otsukimi dango after came back from the work.
That was easy. Just put rice flour with some water then made into small ball. After that boil them. No adding sugar or any other ingrediens.
It's easy and healthy sweet. We usually put dips such as 'Kinako' (Soy beans powder), 'Mitarashi' (Sweet soy sauce) and 'Anko' (Red beans paste).

Monday, September 20, 2010

Respect-for-senior-citizens-day

-Apple Jam-

Respect-for-senior-citizens-day is called 'Keirou no hi'.
On that day grandchild/children visit their grandparents to do nice thing on that day.

I normally give a present them.
This time I gave to my grandma Apple Jam. I made it yesterday.


-Handmade Label-
Ringo jam (Apple jam)


-Appearance-


-Ingredients-
Apple, lemon juice (1 tbs) and sugar.

-Recipe-
1. Peering the apple and take out the core.
2. Slice the apple and put it in the pan. Pour the sugar and lemon juice and wait few mins.
3. The heat it up. First high heat then low heat. Keep stirring (Do not burnt) until easy to break down.
4. Squish as much as you like. (All, half or even you can feel the apple)
5. Put it in a jar which sterile (put in the boiling water) then put a lid on and turn over little while.

This time I put sugar about 20% from after peering apple's weight.
Sugar amount depends on the variety of the apple. If it sour need to put more sugar. Also if you like sweet one, you need to put more.

You can just throw apple skin and core out, but I made into shervet before throw them.
The skin and core put in boiling water with sugar and boil until the skin colour is came out in the hot water.
Take out the skin and core then pour the juice into the containe. When it is cooled down put in the freezer.


Extra photo (23/09/10)


-Crystal Apple-