Nigella in training

There's something about studying that gives one the desire to make things, or cook things. Otherwise known as excuses for procrastination. As my Japanese Proficiency Test approaches, I have found myself working in the kitchen more than on my desk. Last week, I made my first batch of cookies. It wasn't great, although on the following day at school there was a resounding 'UMAI!'* from all the teachers that were privileged (or brave) enough to try. Last Friday I made another batch, a better batch, and gave most of it to my calligraphy class - 3 grannies and 2 elementary school kids. I got mugicha* teabags in return from the teacher. Que Japanese reciprocity.

On Monday, after a long and difficult day at work, I decided to express the stress in the form of shopping - more specifically household shopping, and ended up buying a blender. ('Twas less than 1500 yen! Win!) And today I made peach-&-banana-&-zero-fat-yogurt-&-soymilk-&-honey smoothie. Ooh-la-la.


I also made 'Sunny's scones' - I got a vague scone recipe from my friend Sunny. They're tomato-onion-cheese-basil scones, except I didn't have any basil. So I put pepper instead. After making an epic mess in the kitchen (as well as on myself...I just found scone-mix in my right ear), the scones came out pretty good, to my surprise (see picture). Until now I was never able to boast any sort of cooking skills, despite both my parents being good cooks themselves.

Next challenge - banana bread!


Note:
* umai = delicious
* mugicha = 'roasted barley tea'