Saturday, April 12, 2014

Mascha's Japanese Kaiseki

Kaiseki (懐石?) or kaiseki-ryōri (懐石料理?) is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. The term also refers to the collection of skills and techniques that allow the preparation of such meals, and are reminiscent of Western haute cuisine.[1]
There are basically two kinds of traditional Japanese meal styles called kaiseki or kaiseki-ryōri. The first, where kaiseki is written as 会席 and kaiseki-ryōrias 会席料理, refers to a set menu of select food served on an individual tray (to each member of a gathering).[2] The second, written as 懐石 and as 懐石料理, refers to the simple meal that the host of a chanoyu gathering serves to the guests before a ceremonial tea,[2] and is also known as cha-kaiseki (茶懐石).[3]
From top left, clockwise: Genmaicha (roasted rice green tea), wakame sarada, salmon teriyaki noodles, dengaku nasu (miso grilled eggplant), chawan mushi (top right corner), miso soup, gyoza, grilled mushrooms, teriyaki chicken, sashimi, sunomono (cucumber salad). 
One of the most refined and delicious meals we have ever had together xxx