Nikujaga (steamed meat/potatoes)

I made this for dinner. I know it doesn't look great - but YUM. This is another recipe from my friend, Kim, though it's not on her blog. She told me the rule of thumb for me doubling recipes would be to triple the meat and such, but only double the sauce. That's what I did with this. I didn't have the noodles, and I let the potatoes cook a bit long - really getting mashy - but this was yummy. I also subbed carrots for peas. The kids said I could make it with only meat and it would be wonderful. LOL

Ingredients
4 Japanese large potatoes (middle size American)
1 onion
1 bunch of shirataki (noodle - google it)
200 gm/ 1/2 lb beef (thinly sliced and cut into 1-2 in cubes)
3 T green peas
2-3 T sugar (rapadura)
2 T Sake (rice beer)
2 T Mirin (sweet rice wine)
4 1/2 T Shoyu Sauce (soy sauce)
1 1/2 C water (I used beef broth)

• Cut beef into 1 1/2 " strips, cut onion into small wedges. Cut potato into bite-sized pieces.
• Boil shiratake 3 min and drain (or skip noodles)
• Put salad oil in pot and cook onion till slightly tender.
• Add beef, shiratake. Stir to coat in oil.
• When beef begins to change color, add broth 2 T of sugar, sake, mirin, soy suace.
• Add potatoes/carrots
• Cover and bring to a boil. Lower heat.
• When liquid reduces to 1/2 add 1 T sugar, 2 1/2 T soy sauce. Cover.
• Cook till liquid reduces to 1/3 or less.
• Add green peas and serve.

Serves 4 as written.....triple meat and double sauce and it fed 5 kids and myself. LOL

Jared liked this over rice. The others liked rice beside it. It seems like a lot to have rice with potatoes on top of it - and we didn't miss the shirataki at all. Several mentioned wanting it to be "meat only" next time.

There will be a next time. This is a close second to Gyudon. Thanks, Kim. Beware: there were points when I was sure I had WAY to much liquid...but it does reduce....and the meat is oh-so-tender.

Click for more yummy eats.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

It was not an April Fool's Day joke...

Words have to be carefully considered...but photos will suffice. A new adventure has begun for our family. Godspeed.

From 2010-04-01

From 2010-04-01

From 2010-04-01

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Deployment Goals

Mike asked us tonight during family circle to discuss our deployment goals.

•  Zander(8) - read for Mike (he says, "Ever since Uncle Nate came no one will let me read my book." ::snort:: I had Nate drill him with games and such but he is sure he hasn't learned a thing.
• Stacia (4) - count in ENGLISH, she's stuck in Japanese....and recite the alphabet
• Nolan(10) - read the New Testament
• Arielle(12) - Play something of Beethoven's
• Jared(16) - grow a goatee - WHAT??????? , spend at least 30 min a day playing with siblings, max out at bench on 160 lb, try to update blog for Dad at least 3x a week
• De'Etta(not as old as dirt) - Workout 5 days a week, get those new tests scheduled ::snort::, memorize James (or Ps 91 because it's really difficult for me), lose weight
• Michael(ancient) - Memorize I John (or 2 John), workout 5 days a week, lose 2 inches of my waist, finish story about Matthew.

Now, I'll have to see if the older four want to send us any deployment goals. I suspect theirs are things like, "survive spring term," "work,"......

 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Package

Mom - what fun to have a package to open tonight. Great timing. I thought you would get a kick out of Zander's reaction. Note he's stressed and his been chewing his shirt. All who love our alphabet guy, please do be praying for him to adjust to Mike leaving. I would like to get through this deployment without a big regression to more observable autistic tendencies.

We've been looking for a whistle for Jared....and well everything was great.
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Countdown

Mike worked late last night (after 10 pm) so that he'd have today off. He spent some time talking with his Mom. She sounds very determined to get well and they had a good visit.

We worked on taxes. We were determined to get them finished before Mike leaves. We loaded MP3 players for Mike. I ordered a copy of Soul Craving by Erwin McManus. We're reading it together while Mike travels.

We stashed surprises in Mike's suitcases. This is always dangerous as he's a good snoop. Here he is with the "kisses" we're sending with him....one for each night he's in place.

After all was done we went bowling. Stacia's a blur.

Jared is pleased to announce that he beat Mike in both games.

My hero

Deployment roses....I always get six before he leaves and six when he returns. I was a bit concerned to receive a dozen...but three are for Arielle and three are from Stacia. We'll get a matching set next fall.

We've done much more since I arrived home on Sunday...but we've been living in the moment and I'll have to blog it later.


11 hours....

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Tale of Two Travels?

This is our life today....two suitcases being unpacked, two being packed....general chaos...but now there's order and Mike's packed....while I'm unpacked.

I'll finish blogging my Korean adventure after Mike departs.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Amusing Street Sign

In the past 6 - 9 months our city has added a few street names and signs. Our commander was asked for things the city could to to make Misawa more "Troop Friendly" and having street signs is huge...... Can you read the name? "Say Hello Street". I love it....it's a good reminder to communicate with your neighbors.
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...