ottawa foodies

Hi there! we've got a fellow from Japan staying at our farm for a few weeks, and our brown basmati rice just isn't cutting it. Maybe because we're cooking it wrong, maybe because he'd prefer Japanese rice. ;-)

I'd like to buy some good Japanese rice, and will be driving by the T&T on Hunt Club on my way home from farmers market. What brand should I look for? I will ask him if he has a brand he likes, but T&T may not have it, so I'm wondering what you folks suggest.

Thanks!

Try Calrose Rice from the grocery stores, many of them sell it.
I guess Calrose Rice is not the best, but it comes in a smaller size package and it is reasonably priced. Soak rice in the water longer and cook with extra water than the instruction suggests.
T&T sells Japanese rice, but the size is quite big, 20 lb or so.

Thanks, Aisu Kurimu! I went to T&T anyway, WOW!! What a place!

I bought small bag of a brand called Sekka, and our Japanese guest seemed very pleased. Everyone I asked about preparation said add less water (so did the package), so I did, but I still think it was a bit too sticky. Our Japanese guest said the same. Next pot should be better, I hope.

This week, think I'll buy the 20lb bag! He will be staying with us for a while, and a Japanese woman will be joining us soon as well, so I'm pretty sure we'll blow through that bag in a hurry. We've all been enjoying 'egg with rice' for breakfast each day. :-)

Maybe we'll try some natto too!

For those who find T & T far, there is a good Japenese and Korean grocery at Rideau and Augusta in Sandy Hill. Good selection of rice.

I use little bit more water for the Calrose rice, but those japanese rice from T&T, I stick with the direction on the package. Usually, one serving portion is 150g of uncooked rice and 180ml water. I usually wash rice then soak it with water for 30 mins, then cook. After finished cooking, gentry stir the rice with paddle, then put the lid back on the pot. Wait 10 mins before serving.

Have your guest tried Canadian breakfast? I am sure they will enjoy that:)I am sure they will enjoy breakfast like bacon, overeasy and pancake with maple syrup.

If you try natto, I reccomend you to mix natto really well (this will reduce the sticky strings, so easier to eat),then add little packages of soy sauce and hot mustard. Texture is odd, but if you like the smell of old cheese, I think you will enjoy it.
Do you eat raw egg for the breakfast???

Yes, our guest eats mostly Canadian food, as that is what we prepare best!

Breakfast here is always simple and fast because we have farm chores in the morning, and try to get most of the work done before the day is too hot. So, for all of us, a simple meal like tamago kake gohan is perfect! And yes, we use raw eggs for this, as they are fresh right from our very own organic free range chickens.

Large breakfasts like pancakes, eggs, sausage, and maple syrup are common for lunch in our home, as we have more time to prepare a lunch meal.

I am interested to try the natto, as it's always good to try new things! I am trying my second batch of rice today, I'm sure it will turn our better. I also sourced out a supply of organic Japanese rice in an 11kg bag, and it will arrive Tuesday!

Thanks for the suggestions, Aisu Kurmu