Back! I was back on Sunday, actually. I worked away cleaning up the kitchen, only to find out I just washed up what's already been done.
Arose to Monday at about 12:10pm, hooray. :-| Hesitantly went upstairs to check on the status of it since last night. Phew, it's spick-and-span. Cleaner didn't see anything bad about it, as Rory would mention himself later today. I heard him bring up that it needed to be cleaned up for tomorrow with Sophie - was glad to my trust in them this week.
Had some tea, and headed downtown to get some ingredients for tonight. Popped into Waitrose for some extra Mirin, and some Udon noodles. Browsed around the drinks section for some Sake to no avail, and couldn't find (Not that I would) any 'fish rolls' either. At the checkout line, I noticed a woman ahead of me tap the one in front of her who had misperceived there being two lines for each Basket-Only checkouts. The mistaken woman took it with sunshine, and asked the person in front of me if there really is two lines - the woman responded, rather coldly "No."
Paid my stuff and headed over to find the local butchers I located using Google - aye, the next turning it was. There, I brought about 500g of chuck beef. The thing was, to put it mildly, bigger than I thought. For £4, that's not at all bad money. That done, I totted over into Subway. I've sadly grown a lust for this place (blame goes on Luko) and its raw essence has contaminated enough of me that I've gone and downloaded the 'Subcard' iPhone app, avid to see it's use and gaining points. (Which too many years of gaming I subconsciously perceive as god forbidden EXP) The Italian B.M.T - Big, Meaty, Tasty, sure is nice though and the people serving was easy going, friendly folk.
Arrived back - Su was coming over tonight to cook her a Nikujaga. Naturally enthusiastic, I arranged her to come over at 6pm or so, but she informed me she was getting the vegetables - sure was nice of her. Cleaned up a little bit more of the kitchen after the housemates had a lunch, and more importantly took the big bin bag down. I've went over for the weekend on Friday, but this bin was already full and it's about 4-fucking-feet high.
At about 4:50pm, I was eager to give this 'Udon' Noodle soup a shot. I reckoned I'd be able to make it before Su arrived! I brought the DS down: not for gaming, oh god no, for Cooking Guide. Gimmicky sounding 'software' for sure, but this son of a bitch really does the trick, and is surprisingly intricate with specific details when it comes to making even straight-forward recipes. As I was making the Udon soup, Rory was busy preparing his dinner for today as well. (he and I often tend to be cooking around the same time) Stir fry with couchettes, if I recall.
After making the soup, and waiting a whole 15 minute or so to get the water boiling for the noodles, I ate away. It really brought back some fond memories of Japan, since this sort of soup would be served often as an appetiser before the main meal (As it turned out, was the case here). After having enough of it's deliciously rich flavour, Su called. She sounded, uh, flustered. Told her I was in No. 92, and she hung up shortly after once again beginning to sound breathless. It's true that UCA is a bit of a walk up a hill, but did she hurry? I shouted out the window for Su, although I misperceived a girl as being her. HURP DERP.
Went downstairs to check around for Su outside - she was waiting outside the front door. Manjit, a classmate, didn't ring the door bell either. I don't really get this - does ringing the bell damage your public appearance, or put a dent in the 'Shy' criteria? Whatever, was nice to see her. Headed up to the kitchen and Su not only brought along potatoes and carrots - sliced and prepares - but rice too. Japanese rice!
I hadn't even started cleaning the utensils from the Udon ready for the Nikujaga yet so I frantically threw and stretched my arms around the kitchen to get it underway.
I chatted to Su in the process, asking her what her favourite thing to include with Udon was. Thankfully, just Udon - that'd make it simpler for next time I need to prepare some. Stock pot and other utensils ready, got the Nikujaga underway. I found out Su had never cooked before - or at least, not a Nikujaga, so she did her best to follow the written Japanese instructions she jotted down. As I was cutting the rather large chuck of beef, Su tossed in the potatoes, carrots and onions already. (It's often meat first, so it can brown or cook with the free space) Threw in the meat bits at a time so whilst Su turned them over.
I had the opportunity to enquire Su on how to specifically use the Dashi stock - or be exact, how many spoons to use of the granules. She suggested 2 and a half, with a large cup I used. Poured it in, and then planned to fill up the stock pot more with water and Dashi. Su told me not to, despite 4 servings from the DS's Cooking Guide stating more or so.
EDIT: As I find out, uh, 700ml is what is suggested. That is pretty much my cup's worth. AIN'T I GOTS THE SMRATS?
As it cooked away, I let Su see through the process to the end. Despite having intricately detailed instructions, I didn't want to be pushy on a recipe that ultimately isn't from my country. Added sugar and Mirin (which Su hates, though at first thought it was the fact it wasn't authentically Japanese) and some soy sauce. Drop lids, a Japanese utensil, are used for these sorts of recipes, but again, Su didn't suggest to use one. Eventually, half the stock simmered off and it was ready. Su was quite excited, border lining over-joyed, to be eaten some again.
We transfered Nikujaga to a plate, and went over to the table, and gave Su a bowl to use. Asked her to choose one of her favourite colour - t'was blue. The cheap shitty bowls I have are funnily enough roughly the size one would use for Japanese cuisines. The rice was prepared along with the Nikujaga.
The food was SO nice, it was actually tasting the sweet, aromatic way it was meant to this time thanks to Su actually preventing me from filling up the stock pot even more. Sophie came in, and I offered her some of the food. She tried a piece of the beef and was all mmmmm over it. Nice results, there!
She and I talked away about various things. She's from Nagano, and just a year old under me. Her boyfriend came over to visit her on Sunday, and he is Japanese; a twist since most Japanese students I've seen have dated someone English (or otherwise). Su plans to partake in the Sky festivals event regarding her animation course - I told her I would but...not until later in the year(s) when I've gotten better. She gave off a good hint she'd initially do the same, but eagerly opts to just try regardless. Good on her, and best of luck. We talked about who our favourite directors are and stuff. My answers were a little few and far between, but made it clear my all-time favourite animator and director was Mamoru Hosoda.
Su didn't particularly like the idea of watching a horror for Halloween but unfortunately I'm all too eager to make it happen. She did give a reason as to why she pushes away from scary films though - the last time she had watched one, she couldn't move and fell over, or something. I was laughing too much to hear her through properly. Showed her a few scary flicks on the iPhone, one of which is my all-time No.1 horror, GhostWatch. Su rather cutely covered her face right up during a lot of it.
Before she left, I showed her my Photography portfolio on Japan. It's meant to be one or more, actually, I just never got around to making the rest YAY GO PROCRASTINATION! She seemed intrigued and I might of made her homesick, whoops. Walked her down to the front door, which Yannis came through at the time, and said a good-bye. (In Japanese I cheeped "Ja-ne!" which is a pretty informal way of saying Bye. I try and prevent this but it's such a cool word.)
Upstairs, I washed up my stuff afterwards, seeing Rob and Yannis partake in express drinking. They discussed what's bad to get drunk off of, and various alcoholic delights. If the Cocktail Society actually HAPPENED, I would be brimming with discussion here to the two of them. Of the things they chatted away about, it was a plan to get PJ pissed off of his face. He seemed like a man who's easy to motivate (given the boon in popularity and all) so I hope to be there and when get the spirits and booze down him.
Showered and all, and as of writing the blog I hear music blaring away outside. Sophie and the gang are, too, outside talking away and I don't know where the tunes are coming from. It was HAKUNA MATATA at one point.
Tomorrow I hope is a continuation of voice training. It was fun, and the £15 shouldn't of been towards just ONE lesson.
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