Preparing Tempura

Yume Paratiisu's garden

Today's destination was Ryusei Fukushikai's Special Nursing Home "Yume Paratiisu", which accomodates both day guests and regular inhabitants. 

chef Matsumoto giving instructions

We got to join chef Matsumoto's team in preparing a special Tempura lunch for the day guests. 

Learning to use chopsticks for cooking was a whole new challenge.

Deep frying aspargus

Cooking chopsticks are longer, and therefore harder to handle.When deep frying tempura, the product needs to be picked up precisely at the right time so that the coating is crispy but not burnt, and the inside is cooked but not dry. On more than one occasion chef Matsumoto had to step in and save the situation, but eventually Vesa got the hang of it.

Concentrating...

In Vesa`s opinion given time and practice they could be a handy tool instead of kitchen pliers, even better since wood does not get hot like steel does.

... and having fun

Tempura from the sea

Janita and Vesa got to prepare the deep fried aspargus, fresh ginger and seafood, and cut the spring onion for the miso soup. They also helped set the dishes on the trays for presesntation.

The meal also included pickles, sashimi, miso soup with mushrooms and onion, cooked fish, meat, egg roll and delicious green tea.

Vesa and Janita learning

Beautiful end result

 
Vesa will surely pass these teachings on to his students back home in the kitchens of  Salpaus Further Education.

The final lunch assortment was everything it should be: tasty, fresh, varied and elegant. As far as we could see the customers were pleased as well. What more could we ask for. Thank you chef Matsumoto for great and patient instructing, introducing tempura, and a comprehensive lesson on Sake. Vesa was overwhelmed by the bottle of superb quality Sake. Once again thank you so much.

Namba neon lights...

...and street food (gyoza)

Osaka speciality: Takoyaki

The streets of Namba at night are a great source of delicious and fashionable street food, entertainment and neon lights. Be careful not to burn your mouth!