September 2023

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[My Mother's Usual Tamagoyaki]

I like it better when it's cold than when it's freshly cooked. It is sweet and the layered parts are a little tender. I miss that taste and tenderness, and even though I try to imitate her and cook it, something is different.

When I asked her to give me the recipe properly, she said, "Sugar, white dashi, soy sauce, sometimes mirin, sometimes salt. I don't really know what it is... I've been making it for 40 years without knowing well!" and we laughed together, thinking that she had been so careless.

But later, I was moved to think that the taste my mother always made for me was always comfortable for me because she adjusted the salt and sweetness based on her feeling for the family and thinking about us.

When I hear the words "my mother's taste," what comes to mind is this tamagoyaki.

Nakamura Douki's Tamagoyaki Pan
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nakamuradouki/tamagoyaki.html
Hasami's Plate
https://www.shokunin.com/en/hasami/plate.html

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[Rattan Hangers from Tsuruya Shoten]

Your favorite clothes, stole, or tie. Wouldn't you like to hang them on a hanger that makes you feel a little particular about it? Tsuruya Shoten's rattan hangers, established in 1907 as Aida Tsuruzaikuten in Yamagata City, may be able to fulfill your wish as a fashion lover.

Three types of hangers made of solid rattan. The surface of the hangers is finished without painting, which gives them a pleasant touch and prevents the hanging clothes from slipping. The original yet warm design can be used for different purposes to fully demonstrate its characteristics.

The "eye," which looks like the outline of an eye, can be used for scarves and stoles. The "T," which is the letter "T" in the alphabet, can be used with a shirt and your favorite tie. The "shoulder" is soft against the shoulder, and its three-dimensional design distributes the weight of the clothes, allowing them to be stored with less stress. We hope you will use it for a special piece of clothing.

Hangers for coat hangers and closets look nice and neat when they have a unified look. The more you use rattan, the more it becomes shiny and candy-colored, and its unique texture gives you a sense of nostalgia. Rattan without coloring or painting is environmentally friendly, and you can feel the original taste of the material. Please use it in various scenes in your daily life.

Tsuruya Shoten's Rattan Hanger
https://www.shokunin.com/en/tsuruya/hanger.html

Reference
https://www.yamagatanodesign.jp/archives/projects/yxdesign2015company

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[French Salad Called "Taboulé"]

In France, there is a perfect summer dish called "taboulé." This dish, which is also a national favorite in France, has its origins in the Middle East and surrounding areas. The relationship between France and the Middle East has always been deep, and the culinary cultures of the two countries influenced each other. Taboulé was introduced to France from the Middle East and eventually became popular among all people.

Taboulé is a salad consisting mainly of finely chopped, parsley-like, aromatic leafy vegetables and bulgur (dried wheat that has been boiled in hot water). Tomatoes, mint, and onions are also added and seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and sweet chilies.

When this came to France, bulgur was replaced with couscous, the world's smallest pasta, which was easier to obtain. Today in French supermarkets and delicatessens, you can find various varieties of taboulé neatly arranged on the shelves, and it is commonly regarded as a French dish. Taboulé is a taste of mother's cooking for French people, and it can be easily prepared using ingredients available in Japanese supermarkets. Serve it in your favorite container and enjoy the taste loved in the Middle East, France, and around the world.

During this time of the year when your body is feeling a little tired from the lingering summer heat, why not try this vegetable-filled taboulé to revitalize your energy? The acidity of the lemon and the flavor of the savory vegetables will enhance the taste of this refreshing salad.

Ingredients (2-3 servings):
2/3 cup couscous
1 tablespoon olive oil
Slightly less than 1/2 cup hot water

*For the Salad
1 tomato
1/2 cucumber
1 bunch of parsley (you can also use Italian parsley, cilantro, celery, etc.)
1/2 purple onion (or regular onion)

*Seasoning
Slightly less than 1/2 teaspoon salt
A pinch of black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
Slightly less than 1 tablespoon lemon juice

*Optional
White wine vinegar
Hot sauce

Instructions:
1. Place the couscous in a bowl and season it with salt, black pepper, and olive oil.
2. Pour hot water over the couscous, stir lightly, cover, and let it steam for about 10 minutes.
3. Finely chop the purple onion, dice the tomato and cucumber into small pieces, and mince the parsley (you can use parsley or celery leaves for this).
4. Fluff the steamed couscous with a fork and mix it with the chopped vegetables from step 3 in a bowl.
5. Add the seasoning ingredients from step 4 and mix well. Optionally, you can drizzle some white wine vinegar or hot sauce on top before serving. Enjoy!

Sori Yanagi's Stainless Steel Bowl
https://www.shokunin.com/en/yanagisori/bowl.html
Okubo House Mokkosha's Cooking Spoon
https://www.shokunin.com/en/okubo/saji.html
fresco kasumi bowl S
https://www.shokunin.com/en/fresco/kasumibowl.html
Otera Kohachiro Shoten's Kanamari
https://www.shokunin.com/en/otera/kanamari.html

References
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%BF%E3%83%83%E3%83%96%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AC
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%96%E3%83%AB%E3%82%B0%E3%83%AB
https://www.olive-hitomawashi.com/column/2020/11/post-12056.html
https://recipe.tirakita.com/recipe/451/%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%E3%81%AE%E3%82%BF%E3%83%96%E3%83%AC (Reference Recipe)