Do you see any thing unusual?

Image source: www.uanime.org.ua/img/article/wagashi.jpg

We are delighted to invite you to join a wagashi demonstration and workshop conducted by 3 experts from Matsue-gashi Association, Japan, led by Mr. Yamaguchi Kenji. Wagashi is the Japanese traditional confectionary usually made of natural ingredients such as mochi (glutinous rice), azuki (red bean paste) and fruits. Participants will experience the techniques of making wagashi including bake, boil and steam. There is also a short talk-session on history of wagashi and its role in Japanese culture. Participants can taste the wagashi, served with authentic Japanese traditional maccha (green tea) at the end of the session. The entire session will be held in Japanese with English interpretation.
Source: http://www.jfkl.org.my/events/event_body.php?id=159

Japan’s Wagashi Association has many information on its members. Toraya, a Japanese confectionary company since 16th century has an online shop and a Paris shop. Minamoto Kitchoan has many branches, in Hong Kong, Taipei and Singapore as well. Minatoya and Saiundo has some beautiful wagashi featured. SFGate has some wagashi recipes to try out. Beautiful wagashi images on Flickr here, here and here. The Manga CookBook also features wagashi for kids. If you plan to visit Kyoto, remember to visit Kyotofoodie to find out more about wagashi shops. Kyoto prefecture has a wagashi page. Japan government internet tv has a nice wagashi video here. Blue Lotus made some ume jam which maybe great for making wagashi. Yasuko-san has a recipe for red bean soup. Obachan from Kochi regulary features wagashi.

Useful links for frugal packing for light travel.

Exofficio’s 17 countries 6 weeks 1 underwear
Official site
Blogger from Indonesia

Polartec

Drouhin’s Laforet Bourgogne blanc, a Chablis-like white (about $11).

Source: NYT EMAIL  

SHOPPING

Eat, Drink and Be Frugal

If you’re a wine snob you might have been under the impression that a good Burgundy was hard to find. Ditto if you’re a wine neophyte. Well, there’s good news for both ends of the spectrum, Eric Asimov writes that due to innovations in winemaking techniques, “Burgundy has very few bad vintages, and among good producers, surprisingly few bad wines.” Of course, it can still be expensive. But — even better news — he has pinpointed some good value bottles, like Drouhin’s Laforet Bourgogne blanc, a Chablis-like white (about $11). Buy it, share it with your oenophile/drunken/cheapskate friends, and rejoice.

“Burgundy Learns to Bottle Consistency,” by Eric Asimov

The Whole Foods Market

A la carte Cuisine

Learn french food and menu from The Frugal Traveler’s experience, visited local Parisian cafes and restaurants.
Pleasures of Paris Alone is so much of a wagamama fun and reclaiming the romantic feeling in ourselves, all alone - getting in touch with our inner feelings of being loved and in love, return home with reclaimed beautiful warm emotion lost to daily rush.

The Frugal Traveler’s videos are available here.

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Cupcakes blog & Flickr photostream to make you drool
The Click Project & its blog
A Smack of Jellyfish

No-Knead Bread in a Hurry

Saveur
Epicurious