Chicken RamenI mentioned that our next virtual visit was going to be Japan. We started today with chicken ramen for lunch, the recipe followed almost exactly from the Wagamama Cookbook (pg 68). It's a really simple dish using sliced chicken breasts, noodles, stock, pak choi or seasonal greens, tinned bamboo shoots and spring onions. It's great for children as nothing is over powering, it's just a good noodle soup. I admit that I have to add something to mine once it is served as I like LOTS of flavour. If you're interested in quick, fast food that's healthy then I'd urge you to get the book. I think I would happily eat everything in it and if you've never been to a Wagamama restaurant give that a try too. I sound like I'm on the payroll!
Wagamama's first restaurant opened in London, behind the British Museum. It was an immediate hit, modelled on the old ramen stalls of Japan, and a totally different take on fast food restaurants. With it's obvious success (voted London's most popular restaurant), more were bound to open. There are now branches around the world and over 50 in the UK. Click wagamama.com for details of locations and sample menus. I don't know why I'm banging on so much about it, I haven't been to one for years. I guess because my first experiences were such good ones. The children have never been but we're going to try and take them this week. Our nearest one being in Guildford, about 20 minutes away. I'll let you know if it lives up to my memories.
So moving on swiftly before you think I have shares in Wagamama... I have a few other Japanese cookbooks too, so what should we cook this week...? We'll definitely be making sushi (no raw fish as it's for the children and I can't guarantee the freshness to take the risk).
But what else - teriyaki chicken, tempura, tonkatsu..? Little is desperate to make yaki soba, as he loves the name, it's a chicken and prawn noodle dish. I'd love to make some gyoza (dumplings), one of my favourite things.
I'll admit to buying every type of bottle and jar in the Japanese section of Waitrose (without forward planning of what we might cook - note to self: work on that frugal thing you were talking about) and when I've looked through the cupboards I think we'll be okay for anything I may have forgotten - take a look! This shows things relating to Japanese cooking and doesn't include all the other Asian food bottles and packets we have, a very expensive on-line shop at Wing Yip and a bad habit of buying exotic ingredients as and when I see them! Really looking forward to this visit.
