Okra salad

Okra is a plant of African origin, and now is cultivated in tropical, subtropical and warm region around the world. Okra is a rich source of dietary fiber and very low in calories, so it can help to decrease the cholesterol.

Okra also contains vitamin A and flavonoid anti-oxidants such as beta -carotenes, xanthin and lutein.

1. Okra

2. Hijiki seaweed

3. Dried Japanese plum leaves

4. Dried konbu seaweed(Tororo konbu)

5. Japanese soy sauce dressing (vinegar + soy sauce + oil)

6. Dried chill powder

Tofu Hamburger Steak (Tofu Salisbury Steak)

Hamburger steak is one of the most popular Yoshoku (japanized western cuisine) which was born after the meiji restoration. Many people in the world believe that Japanese foods are healthy. But many Japanese, especially children prefer yoshoku to traditional sushi, soba, grilled fish etc... So now obesity increases among young generation because it is caused by excessive of dietary calories.

Vegan yoshoku is one of the good method to enjoy its tastes but can also reduce the risk of lifestyle diseases. Because it doesn't use high-calorie animal products. And vegan could reduce fossil fuel consumption because growing plants needs less water and energy than livestock.

1. Tofu Hamburger Steak with mushroom saute

2. Brown rice and black beans

3. Saute potatoes

4. Tomato salad with Japanese soy sauce dressing

Koya dofu - frozen tofu

Koya Dofu Nmono - Frozen Tofu Stew

The name comes from Mt. Koya, headquarter of Shingon sect(Japanese buddhism). Shingon buddhism also famed for its vegan cuisine or Shojin cuisine. Koya dofu has been used for daily foods to avoid meat and fish eating by buddhists in Shingon sect. It is also convenient for storage. It is usually soaked in water and is simmered with some vegetables, soy sauce and seaweed or dried mushroom soup stock.

1. Koya Dofu Stew :

Koya dofu, Shiitake mushroom, Carrot, common bean, Konbu seaweed

2. Wakame Salad with Japanese Dressing

3. Red Rice

4. Red Miso Soup

Tomato Salad with chinese Dressing

Tomato Salad with Chinese Dressing

1. Tomato

2. Red onion slice

3. Wakame Seaweed

4. Chinese Dressing

(Soy sauce, Sesame Oil, Rime juice)

Tomato is a south America origin and was spread around the world. It is used in diverse ways, including salad, stew, curry, tomato ketchup, soup, pizza etc. Tomato contain lycopene which is one of the natural antioxidants. Some studies said lycopene, especially in cooked tomatoes, could help to decrease risk of cancers, e.g. prostate cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancer etc.

Vegan Cuisine by Professional Chef

One of my friend who is a professional chef made vegan dishes for me. She is Japanese and had ever worked at Japanese restaurant for 17 years. Even she isn't a vegetarian or vegan, but vegan dishes she cooked for me were pretty delicious. And these were so different from daily dishes I have made for myself.

This is a picture of vegan cuisine she cooked for me.

Do you believe that all dishes (Pic.) were vegan dishes?

1. 白米　White Rice (Japonica Rice)

2. 生麩の味噌汁　Namafu (wheat gluten) miso soup

3. 肉じゃが　Niku jaga = Potato, meat and onion stewed in soy sauce soup

4. 和布蕪の酢の物　mekabu (slimy seaweed) with vinegar sauce

5. 蓮根の金平　Lotus root stir-fried with soy sauce

6. ゴーヤチャンプル　Goya chanpuru(Okinawan food)=Bitter gourd stir-fried with tofu

7. 餃子　Gyoza=Jiaozi (but no flour sheet so wrapped with lettuce)

2, 3 and 7 use wheat gluten instead of meat

Bitter gourd is widely grown in tropical area for its edible fruits. It is a very popular in asian, african and caribbean countries and there are various dishes made of bitter gourd in many tropical area. Bitter gourd is significant ingredient in Okinawa cuisine too, Goya Chanpuru is most popular in Okinawan cuisine and now Japanese in mainland also prefer it. Bitter gourd fruit is so bitter that it should be treated with salt to reduce its bitterness before preparation dishes. But like most bitter foods, bitter gourd has also activity to stimulate digestion. And many other medical and biological activities (anti- cancer, HIV, malaria etc.) are suggested but there a few evidences to show them in clinical studies.

Soba - Japanese traditional noodle

Soba is Japanese traditional noodlem, it's served either chilled with a dipping sauce and in hot noodle soup. It is made from buckwheat. Soba contains all 8 amino acids and also including Rutin that is a citrus flavonoid glycoside which shows anti-inflammatory activity, platelet aggregation inhibition etc.

Chilled Soba is often served with Wasabi and Green onion.

Tempeh-Teriyaki (Grilled with soy sauce)

Tempeh (Tempe in Indonesian) is a traditional Indonesian food made from soy bean. It's made by fermentation process of Fungus Rhizopus.

It contains highly proteins, dietary fiber and vitamins and become digestible as result of its fermentation process. This fermentation process by Rhizopus could reduces Oligosaccharide which produces gas in intestine and induces indigestion, and some natural bacteria produce vitamins such as B12.

Because of its nutritional value, tempeh is also used in vegetarians and vegans cuisine.

1, Tempe teriyaki (grilled by soy sause, Japanese flavor)

2, Wakame (seaweed) marinated with soy sauce, ginger and sesame oil

3, Rice

4, Miso soup