Oyakodon – Japanese Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl

Oyakodon - Japanese Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl🍚🐔🥚 Oyakodon 🥚🐔🍚
Japanese Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl

Oyakodon is a popular and traditional Japanese rice bowl dish that combines a savory-sweet mixture of chicken, egg, and onions served over steamed rice. The name “oyakodon” translates to “parent and child bowl,” which is a poetic reference to the use of both chicken (the parent) and egg (the child) in the dish.

It is a favorite for home cooks due to its ease of preparation and is often found in Japanese eateries and fast-food chains and featured in Japanese cooking shows and food blogs. Just Google “oyakodon” to see hundreds of authentic recipes for this well liked Japanese comfort food.

I am sharing here today for those who aren’t familiar with this splendid, homey Japanese dish. Serve it for brunch, lunch, dinner or a late night snack. It can easily be prepared with almost all ingredients on hand in the Western kitchen. I give substitutes below in case Japanese ingredients are not available.

Oyakodon - Japanese Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl

Oyakodon Recipe

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Smoked Salmon Matzah Brei

Smoked Salmon Matzah Brei

Smoked Salmon Matzah Brei

Fried Matzah and Eggs
Smoked Salmon, Capers, Scallions
Horseradish Creme Fraiche, Chives

Matzah brei is a traditional Jewish dish served during Passover. It consists of matzah (unleavened bread) that is softened briefly in water, then sautéed in butter and cooked with beaten eggs.

It seems that every Jewish family has their own way of making Matzah Brei, some with a greater ratio of matzah to egg, some lightly browned cooked in a frittata style, some in a french toast style served sweet with maple syrup or cinnamon sugar.

I go for a savory scrambled version. For a special Passover brunch treat, I add smoked salmon, capers, scallions, and a dollop of horseradish crème fraîche.

Matzah brei is pronounced “MAHT-suh bry.”  Brei rhymes with try. Try it!

Smoked Salmon Matzah Brei Recipe

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Oeufs Mayonnaise

Oeufs Mayonnaise

Classic Bistro Fare
🥚 Oeufs Mayonnaise 🥚

Oeufs Mayonnaise is appreciated for its simplicity and the rich creaminess of the eggs combined with the tanginess of the mayonnaise. It’s a staple in French cuisine and often served as an appetizer in bistros, cafes, and homes across France. It’s a dish that exemplifies the elegance of simplicity and the artistry of combining everyday ingredients in traditional French cooking.

In the late 1980s, Paris experienced a shift in culinary preferences, with traditional dishes like oeufs mayonnaise losing some of their allure. One factor that likely contributed to this decline in interest was growing concern about health issues, particularly the perceived risks associated with consuming foods high in cholesterol. Eggs, a key ingredient in oeufs mayonnaise, were often vilified due to their cholesterol content during this period.

Amidst this changing landscape, Claude Lebey, a prominent figure in the French culinary scene renowned for his restaurant guides, recognized the need to preserve and celebrate dishes like oeufs mayonnaise. In 1990, Lebey took action by establishing the “Association de sauvegarde de l’oeuf mayonnaise” also known as ASOM. This association was dedicated to championing the dish and ensuring its proper preparation in bistros and restaurants across Paris.

Oeufs Mayonnaise

Lebey’s motivation stemmed from a concern that bistros, iconic establishments of French gastronomy cherished for their authentic charm and simple, hearty fare, were gradually losing their traditional character. He viewed oeuf mayonnaise as more than just a dish; it was a symbol of the essence of bistro cuisine—a humble yet delicious offering that epitomized the soul of French culinary heritage.

Lebey’s efforts, coupled with a broader movement towards rediscovering and celebrating traditional cuisine, ultimately contributed to a resurgence of interest in oeufs mayonnaise. The dish regained its place on bistro menus, reaffirming its status as a beloved staple of French gastronomy and a testament to the enduring appeal of simple, well-executed dishes that have stood the test of time.

Today, Claude Lebey’s grandson, Romain Lebey, has continued his family’s legacy by further promoting and preserving French culinary traditions, including the advocacy for dishes like oeufs mayonnaise.

Oeufs Mayonnaise Recipe

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Gourmet Smoked Salmon Omelette

Gourmet Smoked Salmon Omelette

A Gourmet Smoked Salmon Omelette

Premium Copper River Smoked Sockeye Salmon
Cream Cheese, Red Onion, Dill, Chives
The Omelette:

A gourmet rolled omelette with smoked salmon is a delightful and elegant dish that combines the fluffy and creamy texture of a classic French omelette with the rich, savory notes of smoked salmon.

Premium smoked Copper River salmon takes center stage in this dish. Farm-fresh eggs are whisked to perfection, creating a smooth and velvety omelette base. A generous amount of butter is used to cook the omelette, giving it a rich and indulgent flavor. Cream cheese brings a creamy texture, along with a subtle tang. Chopped fresh dill and chives are added for a burst of herbaceous freshness and aroma.

Smoked Salmon Omelette

The Artisan Smoked Salmon:

Copper River Fish Market is a seafood boutique in remote Alaska that is fisher(wo)man founded, owned, and operated. Sarah is a generational fisHERman with over two decades of experience in sustainable, small-boat fishing. Every catch is meticulously selected, and each shipment comes with an origin guarantee. She says her salmon is curated with the hand of a Seafood Sommelier.™

All their seafood comes directly from her family’s catch. The Copper River salmon is cut by hand, brined with only brown sugar and salt and smoked over real alder-wood. The small-batch production and attention to every detail simply is not possible on a larger scale. Her salmon is a true artisan crafted food product.

Smoked Salmon Omelette Recipe

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French Rolled Omelette, Boursin Cheese, Caviar

French Rolled Omelette, Boursin Cheese, Caviar

French Rolled Omelette
Boursin Cheese, Caviar

Bonjour! Happy Bastille Day! July 14th is the day when the French celebrate the birth of the French Republic, liberté, égalité, fraternité, and it is the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 – a turning point for the success of the French Revolution.

Fête nationale is a national holiday throughout France, and we’re joining the celebration with a French Rolled Omelette filled with French cheese and topped with caviar!

Divine custardy soft-set eggs envelop the creamy shallot & chive soft cheese. The omelette is topped with plenty crunchy-salty caviar and chopped chives, adorned with ruffled edible flowers. It is a simple French masterpiece. Bon appétit!

The story of Boursin Cheese started with one man, François Boursin. In 1957, this young Normandy cheesemaker opened a cheese factory in Croisy-sur-Eure, a small community nestled in northern France. His own original recipe was inspired by fromage frais, a traditional French party dish that blended garlic, fresh cream, soft cheese, herbs, salt and pepper.

French Rolled Omelette, Boursin Cheese, Caviar

French Rolled Omelette Recipe

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