Siomai Mami Soup

Pardon the obvious pun in the title but this is definitely something I would be happy to “siomai-mami” (show my Mommy) – hahaha!

Having extra frozen siomai meatballs leftover (without the wonton wrappers, unfortunately) from the last batch I prepared a few days ago got me thinking how best to “recycle” them.  Rummaged through the crisper and found spring onions too. Whaddyaknow! I could very well prepare the much-missed mami soup like mom used to make – yum!   What’s more, I could add a little twist and dump in my siomai meatballs.  This sounded really good…

After hurdling the “mami challenge”, here are the cooked ingredients ready for “assembly”:

 

While this is the “finished product”…

 

Not bad for a first-time “siomai mami” maker, huh? Methinks this would be perfect comfort food for the coming winter months.

Here’s the quick recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 pack of mami noodles (I substituted this with Chinese noodles since I couldn’t get hold of mami here)
• 2 to 3 pieces of cooked, shredded chicken parts (I used only skinless chicken breasts so its a tad healthier)
• chicken broth (used the stock from the boiled chicken breasts), seasoned with salt and pepper to taste
• 2 pieces hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
• 12 pieces siomai meatballs (or any dumpling of choice)
• 12 cloves crushed garlic, divide into two equal parts
• 1/2 head medium white onion, chopped finely
• 4 stalks spring onions, chopped finely

How to Cook:

• Lightly brown half of garlic and set aside.  This will be used for topping the soup later.
• Saute remaining garlic and onions.
• Add shredded, cooked chicken and let boil in chicken broth.
• Separate sauteed chicken after broth boils.
• Cook noodles in broth until done. Remove and set aside.
• Boil siomai meatballs in broth until done. Remove and set aside.
• Place cooked noodles in individual bowls and top with shredded chicken and 2-3 pcs of siomai meatballs.
• Garnish with hard-boiled eggs, spring onion and a little toasted garlic.
• Add chicken broth.
• Serve hot and enjoy!

Nihon-GO! (or why we absolutely adore Japanese food)

As I’ve mentioned time and again (and again…and again!) in my previous blogs, owing to the dire absence lack of authentic Japanese restaurants where we are in the world, we are constantly on the “hunt” for good quality, great tasting and affordable Japanese food whenever we have the chance to get out of our little kingdom.

In fact, during our last home leave, we managed to snag a few ”Land of the Rising Sun” treats from our local Asian store to “tide us over” until the next major Japanese food craving hits us.  Putting these all together, I managed to come up with a relatively quick and yummy Nihon fix for dinner a few nights ago. 

What do you get when you put together (clockwise from top left) soba sauce, wasabe (horseradish) paste, cha (green tea) soba noodles and dried seaweed flakes?

 Why, a “Soba-licious” treat, of course! Yum! Even my usually aloof “kimono kumares” will agree!

Good thing we didn’t have to wait too long for our next Japanese foodie adventure.  With our “Soba-licious” treat still fresh in our minds, we were truly delighted to discover yet another delish Japanese restaurant when we visited Bahrain a few days ago for the end-of-Eid holidays. I have to agree with hubby that this was “the highlight” of our visit.

Introducing…. SUMO! Sushi, sashimi, bento, katsudon, tendon and uramakis galore – name it, they have it!!! This place is truly every Jap-food-lover’s paradise.  What’s more, price-wise, it’s more reasonable than our other Jap food “haven” in Bahrain, Gulf Hotel’s Sato.

Needless to say, all of us definitely (over)indulged our Jap food fantasies during the two times we visited the resto.  Why not let the pics speak for themselves, right?   And just so you know, the following were taken during our second visit only as I unfortunately forgot to bring my camera the first time around due to my, er, excitement…

Since we still felt quite full from two days’ worth of “oinkish abandon”, we decided to just have a light meal this time.  What better way to start off than with a steaming bowl of miso soup?

This was the “main event” for me – California Maki smothered with generous tobiko (fish roe)! Definitely to-die-for!!!  They call it “Super California” and it certainly lived up to its name…

Luis claims “victory” with his Crunchy California (California roll covered in crunchy tempura).  Tagalog translation: Panalo!

While Rafa prepares to “demolish” his Crunchy Cals too…

Finally, our “discriminating diva-lette” still deciding whether her Papa’s Kamikaze (spicy tuna roll with avocado covered in crunchy tempura) is really worth all that hype – hahaha!

Here’s to tasting more yummy Nihongo delights soon!

Till then, sayonara tomodachis!