Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Silky

Asakusa Silk Pudding 浅草シルクプリン

_DSC8857Because of time restrictions, I was not able to cross off all of my to-do list in Japan. I wanted to see Tokyo Skytree, the new radio tower which is 634 meters high. Honey, what is that in feet? He is not listening, he’s occupied with the NBA Playoffs which began last Sunday. Anyway, Skytree is almost twice the height of Tokyo Tower’s 333 meters. The Asakusa Silk Pudding Shop, which is also on my list to visit, is near the Kaminarimon (雷門) which is famous for big red lantern. It’s a poplar tourist stop and within walking distance from the Skytree. I wish I had one more day in Tokyo.

This Asakusa Silk Pudding sells about 1,000 puddings a day. Although the shop started out to cater puddings to some hotel restaurant as a dessert, as the pudding ‘s popularity grew, also perfecting the taste and texture, they eventually became firmly entrenched in  the business and added more shops in metro area.

My quest of deliciousness has no end. I created the silk pudding despite not knowing the original, using the pudding bottles (puddings we had at other stores) I brought home and reference I got from ‘Delicious Pudding’ cook book. _DSC8828

Ingredients for 5 jars of silk puddings

Equipment: 5- 4ounce glass jars, food scale, strainer, deep pan with lid, thermometer, 2-3 paper towels

First make Caramel sauce

  • Granulated sugar 100g
  • Water 30ml
  • Hot water 1 Tablespoon

Pour sugar and water into a small sauce pan. Cook until dark brown at medium heat without stirring. Add hot water then stir with wooden spoon. Pour in the 5 jars equally. Set aside. Warning: caramel sauce is verrry hot._DSC8833

Pudding_DSC8830

  • Milk 300ml
  • Heavy cream 200ml
  • Granulated sugar 65g
  • Egg yolk 100g - about 5 eggs
  • Vanilla essence 1/2 teaspoon
  • Rum flavoring 1/2 teaspoon
  1. Pour milk and heavy cream in a medium pan and heat up to 50C. Set aside.
  2. Put sugar and egg yolk in a large bowl, mix well with hand held mixer about 1 minute. Do not make a large circle motion, try not to create air bubbles._DSC8836
  3. Add vanilla and rum to the bowl and mix for an additional 30 seconds.
  4. Pour about 1/3 of the warmed milk mixture from step #1 into the bowl and mix well. Gradually add rest of the milk mixture.
  5. Strain the mixture twice and lay a piece of paper towel on the surface to remove foamy bubbles (you may use spoon for this task if you’d rather). Repeat as necessary. For bigger bubble, prick with toothpick.
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  6. Pour into jars. Cover each jar with foil.
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  7. Lay a sheet of paper towel on the bottom of a deep pan. You need enough boiling water to cover half way up to the jar height. Turn the heat off while putting the jars at least inch apart from each other. Put the lid on and steam for 15 to 20 minutes at low heat.
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  8. Place in the freezer immediately for 30 minutes then transfer to refrigerator to chill. Warning: the jars are very very hot. _DSC8869Ummmm silky! I need to work on caramel sauce though.

After the wedding, my husband, my daughter and I headed for Yamanashi prefecture to see Mt. Fuji up close. DSCN1863View from our hotel room was amazing!

Five short minutes ride on hotel’s shuttle bus took us to Fujikyu Highland (富士急ハイランド) the next day. I didn’t have the stomach to ride this ‘spectacularly crazy’ I was told, jet coaster.Top-4

Day 3rd. We rode the Kachi Kachi ropeway up to Mt. Tenjyo for an another look of Mt. Fuji. My camera battery is dead at this point so we paid to take our photo for 1000 yen, about 10 bucks. Top-3

We shopped at HARD OFF, a huge second hand store just a half block away from the hotel. They have Louis Vuitton bags to washing machine to bicycle to clothing item to just about everything. I needed a battery charger for my camera and they had it!  I also bought brand new Arita ceramic (有田焼き) bowls for 60 yen (about 70 cent) each –cheap right? A small plate from Tachikichi (たち吉) is an another good brand ceramic maker, there is no name on the black blown bowl but I adore for $2 to $3 range. I could have bought more if we had space in our suitcases…wait a sec, if I bought one of  large Louis Vuitton bag ($500 - $1000) then the problem could have been solved? My husband was relieved – DANGER AVOIDED! I didn’t take any pictures of store because I was dealing with battery issue still. My daughter and I loved the store! My husband, not so much._DSC8825 

DSCN2173DSCN2177Neighbor’s double cherry (八重さくら) was in full swing when we got home. Ahhh…it was a nice trip but it’s good to be home! That’s what I’m saying to myself because I have vacation withdraw symptoms. The only cure I think is to take an another vacation. Right? Honey? He is not responding, I should discuss this during half time.

18 comments:

  1. wow this pudding looks amazing and what a great trip

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    1. Thank you so much. We had a great fun! I miss Japan already.

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  2. You are so funny Akemi!! Love reading your blog. I always think I might try cooking some of your dishes but then I turn coward because I don't have confidence. I'll just enjoy it through your pictures

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  3. お帰りなさい! 楽しい旅だったようでよかったね。 浅草プリンおいしそう!富士山の写真もきれい、八重桜も素敵!さすがKemi~掘り出し物もゲット。プリンの色と桜の色がなんともはや はかなくて美しい!私も これ作ってみよう。

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    1. ありがとう! 我ながら良く出来ました。 5月の日本旅行楽しみですね。お土産待ってま~す!(笑)。

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  4. I always have a great time reading your blog!! and..Seriously, I think you should publish a book for all your recipes...they are all superb! Instruction wise, photo layout etc... Thanks too for sharing with us your recent trip experience...looks like you had a wonderful family time together too:)

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    1. Thank you for your kind comment. We really had awesome time and it was rare occasion to have our daughter on trip with us.

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  5. Looks like you had a nice time! Pudding looks so yummy!!

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    1. Thank you Jalna. I don't want to brag but the pudding was so good and silky!

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  6. Replies
    1. Thank you Jane to stopped by my blog. I checked your blog. Looks really cool!

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  7. Oh wow! Looks so delicious...very delicious and beautiful pictures!

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    1. Thank you Sandra. The pudding recipe is keeper. I have to make it again for my husband.

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  8. 富士山が綺麗にみれて良かったですねー!早く子供が大きくなってジェットコースター乗りたいです。一人で乗るのが嫌なので、主人と・・・と思うのですが、じゃあ誰が子供を見てるの?ってことになり、まだ大好きなジェットコースター乗れません。久しく乗ってないなぁ。富士急ハイランドに前回行きましたが、羨ましそうに見てました(笑)。プリン美味しそう!私も数週間前にプリンを作って、そのポストをいつか載せます。明美さんの方が断然に美味しそうです。簡単なのがとりえだけです。楽しいポストでした。

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    1. また、またあ。なみちゃんより上手く出来るなんて、冗談ばっかり。 なみちゃんはまだ若いけど、私にとっては主婦の鏡みたいな人ですよ。 コメントありがとう!今日は海藻のサラダの予定です。楽しみ!

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  9. I made it last weekend. It was delicious.

    However, it came out bubbly. I strained the mixture 3 times. When I poured into the cups they were okay, no bubbles. But after 2 hours in the fridge, it looked bubbly. What do you think went wrong?

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