reach a zen-like state using your microwave
how awesome would it be to have fresh rice for lunch at work everyday? not only would it be cheaper than ordering from wok & roll, but you would know that each fluffy puff had no added oil or fat (unless you added some, in which case i applaud your crazy ways, but question your motives). a few of my co-workers and i had lofty aspirations to bring in a ricecooker, but the plan never became a reality due to the fact we were afraid of shut down by strict office officials (we have a rather intimidating kitchen staff).
to my amazement, i was introduced recently to a product that cooks rice in the microwave! cook-zen allows you to make delicious, low-calorie meals right in your nuke box.
the cooker isn’t cheap ($59.99), but if you consider the fact that $60 is the price of one dinner in NYC, the cook-zen pot seems like a pretty good deal. did i mention that it cooks ramen noodles too? where were you when i was in college, cook-zen pot?
my only concern is that a microwave rice pot might use more energy than a conventional ricecooker. if anyone has any thoughts on that, please enlighten the rest of us.
oh, and i’ve been looking everywhere for the cook-zen cupcake maker, but can’t seem to find it. if anyone can hook me up with any intel, i’d be much obliged.
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bikkuri breakfast sushi
“bikkuri” means surprise (please don’t mistake it for that other, similar-sounding japanese word).
these bukkuri sushi pieces are called thus named because there’s more to them than meets the eye!
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yup, you guessed it. these nigiri aren’t sushi at all! they’re actually some of our favorite american-style breakfast foods in disguise. why? you might recall that last week, i was lucky enough to attend naomi moriyama’s lecture on why japanese women don’t get old or fat. one particularly good technique she taught us is that we can trick ourselves into eating healthier portions just by using smaller plates, like the japanese do. in the time it takes us to stand up, walk to the kitchen and refill our bowls, we might decide that we’re already full. those of us that are just too lazy to get up can finally use it to our advantage!
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although i didn’t use a tiny plate for these sushi, i’m applying a related principal. now i know that breakfast is the most important meal, but i noticed that when i go to ihop or the diner for my bacon and eggs, i end up wolfing down everything in sight. everything just tastes so good and there is nothing healthy or low calorie to slow you down. japanese people often use rice to slow down our eating. we end up consuming only a little bit of the really fatty stuff and get full on rice which is a carb, but one cooked with no fat or oil.
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you can make your own bikkuri sushi using makunouchi rice molds like the ones above, but you can avoid having to purchase one by lining a rectangular tupperware box like this one:
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with plastic wrap and cooling it for an hour or so. then, just flip the rice onto a plate or cutting board, sprinkle with a little salt and cut into 1 1/2″ x 2″ rectangles.
i used scrambled egg, grilled low fat turkey spam (low calorie and so flavorful and light), toast with olive oil, peas with a little mayonnaise and a tomato mozzarella sandwich, but you can use whatever favorite breakfast foods or leftovers you’d like. the wasabi and ginger you see in the background are actually mashed wasabi-flavored peas and salmon lox. drool.
these are great to take for lunch too, and are quite filling - probably because you eat them with your eyes too!
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why is this a site?
swyyne has always been an experiment for me. with all of the other super eco sites out there, i've been feeling like i want to contribute something just a bit different. so for now, here are my random musings.
look for stuff
feed yourself