How to cook: Simmered Meat and Potatoes

Simmered Meat and Potatoes

This is a Japanese food. (called 'Niku-Jaga' in Japanese)

It is not so difficult to cook, but if a girl can cook this well, she can make her boyfriend hallucinate that she is good at cooking!

Ingredients (Serve 3-4)

• 100g minced pork
• 1 big onion
• 3 potatoes
• 1 small carrot
• 2 tbs sugar
• 4 tbs sake
• 4 tbs soy sauce
• 2 tbs mirin
• 2 cups dasi

Recipe

1. Peel the potatoes and the carrot, and cut each into bite-size. Soak them in water and drain. Peel the onion and cut them into eight half moon-shaped pieces.
2. Heat 1/2 tbsp of salad oil over a moderate fire. Add the potatoes and carrots, and fry well. Add minced pork, then the onions and fry them together until the potatoes are transparent.
3. Add sugar, sake, soy sauce, mirin and dashi. Simmer until the potatoes are soft. Skin the surface of the broth occasionally. Turn off the heat and leave.

*tbsp= table spoon

*mirin is a Japanese seasoner made from rice

*dashi is a Japanese stock made from a skipjack tuna

The CULTURAL GAFFES in the UK

Every country has each culture, and there are many rules. Some same (or similar) behavior has different meaning among people from other countries, and it could cause 'the Cultural Gaffe'. 'Gaffe' means a mistake that a person makes in public or in a social situation.

Of course, there are some cultural awareness in the UK. I'm going to introduce some of them and to know these things might prevent you from making the Cultural Gaffes.

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GREETINGS - how to meet and greet your visitors

• Formal greetings are customary as is handshaking; The British are less demonstrative than many other nationalities and a reserved manner is expected.
• Friends and family; They may hug and kiss when they meet each other

COURTESIES - suitable topics of conversation

• At a first meeting; Conversation should start with neutral topics. It is more acceptable than exchanging personal information.
• The topic; About religion and politics are should be avoided.

FOOD

• British cooking; It is untrue and unfair to say that British cooking is bland and unimaginative. Many regional dishes are rediscovered to replace the traditional fish and chips or Sunday roast.
• Tea; It is the national drink. Of course coffee is drunk, but not so widely.

BODY LANGUAGE

• Showing someone two fingers ( the 'V' sign) or your middle finger is very rude

• Avoid getting too close (except in a queue); British people like to be about 0.5-1 metre away from each other when talking
• Wink; Wink each other can mean someone is joking or that they like you in a sexual way.

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These are just a little bit of all, but these cultural awareness help you to receive a positive impression and you could feel more relaxed when you meet British people.

My memory of Cote d'azur

I went to Cote d'azure (the Mediterranean coastline of the south part of France) as the social program last weekend. I visited two famous cities Cannes and Monte Carlo.

The main purpose of this travel was to watch a Formula One car racing. Of course, I was longing to watch it, but I really expected to visit there as well because I'd ever heard that there is one of the best residential district in the world.

I could take a look at the beautiful town from the hill. The scenery of them were breathtaking, and that reminds me of one scene of my favorite film. I enjoyed not only sight-seeing but also delicious dishes. Furthermore, I could see the splendid sunset from the stunning beach.

Even if it took 24 hours to get there by bus, I'm really satisfied with the memorable views.

an unreal situation in my life

When I was a university student, it was very difficult to find a job after graduation. Then I began to think about my job as soon as I entered a university.

One day, I tried to find a job which is suitable for me at employment bureau. At that time, I thought that a police officer is the most attractive job, and I decided to set out to be that. I saw the recruitment information to know what should I do to prepare for employment exam.

However, I realised that I have no chance to be a police officer because there were some physical limits. The limit of height was 155 centimeters, although my height was 151 centimeters. I had to give up to be a police officer because of under height.

I'm satisfied with my current job, but sometimes I think that 'If I were 4 centimeters taller, my future could be another one'.

about a city you knou

Osaka

Osaka is in the west side and the biggest city next to Tokyo in Japan.

I was born in this city and I have spent a lot of time there. That is because I chose this city.

◆main events in its history

In 15 century, there were many warehouses to keep land tax ( e.g.rice ), and people built many waterway and bridges to transport them by ship in Osaka. Because of these well maintained waterway and rivers, Osaka grew up as the centre of economy and commerce in Japan.

This growth also helped the prosperity of culture.

◆any recent changes

The mayor of Osaka-prefecture(Osaka-city is a part of Osaka-prefecture) changed in February 2008. He is not afraid of others bashing and he try to change and improve economics of Osaka.

We don't know he is collect or not because we don't get any result yet, but many people have high hopes for him.

◆main positive features of the place

Osaka Castle is one of the most famous castles in Japan which was built about 420 years ago. This castle is open to the public, and the top of it give a sweeping view over Osaka.

There is a beautiful garden around it as well, and we can enjoy the changes of the seasons.

◆any difficulties of problems the place has

In the 1980s, the economic of Japan was quite good, and people began to build a lot of buildings, commercial institutions and houses. However, Osaka has faced an serious economic recession since the 1990s. Then some of these development became waste of money and time.

◆main tourist attractions

There are many fascinating attractions in Osaka.

• Osaka Castle: the castle which was built about 420 years ago
• Tsutenkaku: the tower which is well-known land mark of Osaka
• Universal Studios Japan: an amusement park
• Kaiyu-kan: an aquarium which is famous for a huge tank in its centre
• Ferris wheel in HEP Five: a big red Ferris wheel which is on a building

◆likely future situation/changes/problems

There are very little green around Osaka. However, recently, government, companies and people are focus on the environmental protection in Japan.

I hope the economy of Osaka will recover as soon as possible and become a city with beautiful nature.

Mini saga

The lie

'This vase is the only one in the world and it's very historical which was used by Napoleon about 200 years ago. '

'How much is it?'

'Actually, it is £400, but you can get this only £200 today!'

'My wife bought the same one by £100 from you last night.'

My profile

My name is AMI NAKANISHI.

The date of my birth is 29 July, 1980.

I'm from Japan. I had worked as a computer programmer for six years after graduation of university, and I was an Information Technology major when I was a university student.

I have a lot of hobbies, especially like cooking. If I cook well, I'll be able to see someone's happy face. It makes me happy as well. Also, I like dressing 'KIMONO' which is Japanese traditional cloth. It's difficult and I went to a kimono school that teaches how to put on it. As a result, I learned how to dress by myself and help someone dress.

I love my family. There're six people; father, mother, three younger brothers and me. I usually help my mother and I believe that's the best way to learn housework.

I've been in London since last January. I have two purpose of this stay. The first of them is to study English. I've been interested in studying English, but I didn't have enough time when I was working. Then, I decided to stop working and begin to study. The second is to live in foreign country. I've wanted to live in other culture, and I enjoy it.