Phaedra's Journal - Eat, Play, Live

[tortoise]

Tsukimi-Style Rice

Tsukimi is a term from Japanese and can be used as a type of cuisine with one egg in the center of the dish, either raw or sunny-side up, with the yolk representing the full moon.
View attachment 21545

The chicken skins, meaty bones (I always debone the chicken thighs and use the meat for other dishes), and tallow are sometimes taken as scraps and discarded. Such wastes are unbelievable.

Well, first, the chicken skin and beef tallow - I usually cut them into smaller pieces, season them with salt and spices, and let them sit in the fridge for a couple of days.
View attachment 21546
With the middle-high heat (and some patience), we will get lovely cracklings and flavored oil.
View attachment 21547
View attachment 21548
I fried chopped scallion and smashed ginger in the oil; the final product is like this and can be used for many dishes. It can stay fresh in the fridge for weeks and in the freezer for at least one year. It will immediately boost umami and flavors to clear soup, noodles, rice, etc. I would love to share more about such seasonings in the future.
View attachment 21549

And I used chicken bones, garlic, and tomatoes to make today's broth. Pan-frying the meaty bones and garlic for 5-10 minutes first, and the broth will have a much richer flavor.
View attachment 21551
I used this broth to cook the rice then.
View attachment 21550
This Tsukimi-style Rice is a reunion of a few cheap ingredients. However, like a Shepherd's Pie or Farmer's Casserole, it's humble but won't let down.

I'm in awe! Amazing!

 

[Phaedra]

I am cleaning and decorating the house, meanwhile, making some wonderful home food without waste.

Most of our home dishes are cost-effective and comforting.

I also prepare lunchboxes for DH on weekdays.

I made these two days some pickled vegetables and kimchi - can't wait to enjoy them.

Eat well, sleep well - those are so basic elements for living.

 

[Trying2keepitReal]

That all looks so amazing, and here I was proud of making homemade fruit leather, lol

 

[baymule]

You are what you eat…… as I just polished off some wheat thins crackers with a smear of cream cheese and a small bit of raspberry jam on top. Junk food at its finest! I need to go outside and exercise that away!

 

[Phaedra]

The homemade pickled tomatoes (skin removed, pickled with apple vinegar and roselle syrup) are soooo delicious!

 

[tortoise]

The homemade pickled tomatoes (skin removed, pickled with apple vinegar and roselle syrup) are soooo delicious!
View attachment 21630

What is roselle syrup?

 

[Phaedra]

What is roselle syrup?

It's made from soft candied hibiscus flowers - pretty color, refreshing taste - and is perfect for yogurt, baking, or chilled (sparkling) water.

 

[Phaedra]

Today's Homemade Food - Aioli and Egg Salad

Egg salad A - chicken, ham, sweet corn, peas, eggs - honey mustard flavor
Egg salad B - shrimp, peas, eggs

DH eats no seafood, but DD and I love seafood. I usually have to prepare something without seafood for him. Preparing food for the family is sometimes like those car racing games - practices accumulate experiences. Avoiding these and those specific ingredients is challenging but not impossible.

Two types of Aioli - honey mustard + bacon

Salted pollock roe + garlic

Tomorrow will be a sandwich day!

 

[baymule]

I grew roselle hibiscus one time. I started it in the house and set the plants out after the last frost. It didn’t make the pods before the first frost of fall and I had a LONG growing season! I chalk that up as a garden failure.

 

[Phaedra]

I love homemade pickles - with them, I can always have a variety-rich, balanced, and nutritious meal in a short time.

My lunch today - seaweed salad (seaweed, herring, sesame) / Kimchi / spiced corned quail eggs / pickled cucumber and cherry tomatoes / salmon / miso-pickled cucumber / rice / over-easy egg

It's also time to prepare the sweets for Christmas - I will make some cookies, a pumpkin pie, and some chocolate pralines.