What reminds you of your nationality?

Spring has come to Australia.

But i dont feel it's Spring - it's like Summer.
It has been over 30 degree in the day time recently.
But when I jogging in the evening, it isn't hot and we can feel a comfortable wind.

When I felt the wind for the first time, it reminded me of Sakura (Cherry blossoms).
And I thought I want to have a Hanami Party.

I don't know why, but when it's Sakura season, all Japanese seem to be very happy.
Maybe it's like X'mas for Christians?

We often check the weather forecast to know how long Sakura will last.
Also we sometimes finish work early and go to the place where we can see Sakura.
We buy drinks and bring food for each other.
Everybody chats, laughs and sings.

When we are tired, we have a nap under the Sakura tree.

It's not cold but not very warm.
We can smell sweet and fresh scent from Sakura.


I remembered everything about Sakura once I felt the spring wind here in Australia.

I haven't seen Sakura for 7 years though.

And I am aware Japanese are Japanese even when we are away from Japan.

What reminds you of your nationality?

Handmade Tzatziki

I'm into Greek food recently, and I made Tzatziki.

Can you pronounce this?

I can't imagine how difficult Greek is, but this recipe is really easy.

Grate garlic, chop cucumber finely, add piched salt, olive oil and mix strained yoghurt.
The original recipe needs more ingredients, but mine was tasty enough and easy.

I had it fresh avocado, which I got from my friends, and steak.

Since I made too much I cooked tandoori chicken with it another day.

It was yummy but I couldn't taste of Tzatziki.

Handmade Dumplings and Pizza

I've started preparing to move little by little. I want to consume my food.

I decided to finish the flour this time.
I cooked dumplings and pizza.

I usually make dumplings very well but I failed this time.
I didn't think about the humidity in Australia.

And I think Australian flour is not as fine as compared to Japanese, so the surface was dry and rough.

I even broke some of them.
But the taste was good.

 

And the pizza was perfect! 

 

It is necessary to mix plain flour and bread flour to make a pizza dough. 

And I have only plain flour so I substituted potato starch.

 

I made three types of pizza.

 

1. Pizza Margherita

2. Avocado shrimp with sauce aurore

3. Anchovy tomato sauce

4. Tuna and corn with Mayonnaise

 

The best one was Tuna and corn with mayonnaise.

It's the cheapest and easiest but it was really delicious !