And so it Continues: Daigaku Imo and Mochiko Cake

My obsession, which is shared by many, of Japan and Japanese culture is continuing to burst through this week. Last week it was art, with me trying to do my own version of The Great Wave by Hokusai, but this week its cuisine. And next week on Really Too Much Time we'll be discussing Japan's obsession with France, France's obsession with America, America's obsession with Ireland, and Ireland's obsession with Japan (probably not, but still think about it for a moment!)

In all my life I have had the pleasure of experiencing Sushi just once! It was in this really nice Sushi Place (shocking!) across from our flat on Ulica Dielta in Krakow with M'Colleague, Red Hair an Jazz Hands Girl. I was really excited about trying it, both because it was something new, Japanese and possibly one of the few times in my life I would have such an opportunity. I can't remember what exactly I ordered but it was amazing and ever since I have wanted more, unfortunately as you may have guessed Sushi is not something I come by on a daily basis. After some quick internet-based research I my assumption that there is no Japanese restaurants or eateries in Limerick City has been proved I've decided I can't go indefinitely without Sushi or at least some Japanese food of some sort. Now even though I'm on a whole try new things/do what you have never done before kick lately Sushi is not something I am ready to try to prepare myself just yet (though eventually I hope to) so its Japanese food of some sort that I'm aiming for. In particular Daigaku Imo and Mochiko Cake, which you should have been able guess after reading the title. 

From what I can gather Daigaku Imo, which literally translates as 'University Potato' is eaten as a snack and is sweet potato which has been boiled before being fried and glazed in a syrup and sprinkled with black sesame seeds. Essentially its glazed or candied sweet potato and sounds and looks amazing. So not exactly heavy eating or what would be considered a dish, but from what I tell it is pretty authentic and so are the recipes I have found for it. I'm really excited about trying this, both cooking and eating as I seriously love sweet potato and it shouldn't be too difficult, and it's Japanese!

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE This is one such recipe I've found, may not quite be the one I ultimately follow, but all the recipes I've found are pretty much the same, so hopefully they'll end up looking something like this.

I'm hitting up one of Limerick city's few Asian Supermarkets tomorrow, I expect it will be APO Pinoy Store at the Milk Market, as I've realised I've never given the market the attention it deserves other than getting badges and jackets at The Edge, and they have a totally amazing sounding coffee place there and a French creperie that I did not know about, and are all open (thank God!) on Wednesdays (which is of course tomorrow).

While I'm there, and if I'm not totally wiped out from spending all my money on coffee and crepes, there are a few other ingredients that I will need to acquire for myself to make the Mochiko Cake. I found one recipe for this on Instructables.com, one of my most favourite websites, but I think I'll do some more research before fully committing. Though in saying that, I am so tempted by their chewy gooey goodness I don't think I'll be able resist for long. These are made from Mochiko which is grounded-pulverised sweet rice and this recipe calls for coconut milk in place of dairy so I'm thinking it might be as authentic as I'm going to get it.

Unfortunately I don't think I'll have an opportunity to attempt to make these until the weekend, well at least not the cake as it takes just an hour to cook, which I realise really isn't very long but I want to fully dedicate myself to it. Also if they work out well, I have an idea for a homecoming present for Aero who's been stateside for almost twelve months now and returns in just a few weeks. Aero is of course celiac and these little delights I'm told (at least made in this way) are totally gluten free. That is to say, any health conscious/celiac readers with a hunger for Japanese food here is a suggestion for you. Anyway I will update with pictures and tales of my experiences of these and will, with some hope and luck, one day be preparing such Japanese delights as Bento, Onigiri, squid salad and lovely lovely sushi!