[Self] Jap Dinner & Some Observations

After some adjustments in life, I have found cooking quite interesting .... even slightly therapeutic. Cooking shows are quite interesting - each chef has his/her individual style; and the processes involved can be intriguing. Plus more oft than not there is an element of culture and creativity involved in the art of food preparation.

I guess that was why I really enjoyed my Jap dinner last night. This place called Ikkyu-An .... somewhere opposite Emporium and just below Phrom Phong BTS station. Had an open kitchen concept, and I was enjoying the free cinematics. Some geeky observations:

1- Carrot chunks: Peel the outside first with some cool peeler that gives it a wedgy shape; then cut in chunks from tip to top but make sure the carrot is rotated every time;
2- Cuttlefish chunks: Quick slices on the top side that cut into 25% of the meat in singular and 1 directional strokes; then flip over and repeat. After that, cut through the entire meat in uniform chunks; but notice how they come out in totally cool edgy shapes! I think this can be applied to jelly too will try.
3- Warming up sake: The non-microwave style. Put the sake into a pot of boiling water and blast it with torrents of flame. I was a bit worried that all my sake would have evaporated away but it did not ^_^"
4- Slicing "chang": I was wondering how to give "chang" its shape ever since I had some soup in another place weeks back. The mystery was finally solved. Totally different perspective into how to slice this vege - place a large bunch of "chang" and then slice from an angle of say 15 degrees, press down hard at the moment of slicing and make it decisive - this gives you a long thin slice which really looks elegant.
5- Methodology of making a good cold tofu: All ingrediants are all pre-prepared. The trick is to have it all brilliantly chilled in the freezer and the minute the need arises, take out the tofu, place it on the palm and carefully slice it into 4 smaller pieces. Take out the ingrediants (all already in this cool metal box with compartments) and decorate. The cool metal box makes it easier for the ingrediants to chill, but remember to place it back into the fridge when its done.

Cool or what? :D