August 31, 2011

new cookbooks and mujicha (barley tea)


A few of the vegan books I ordered came in the mail.  Appetite for Reduction has the liveliest and funniest writing, so I can't wait for her other book, Veganomicon, to arrive.  Simply Vegan was at the library, and I liked it so much, I got my own.  All these books have good info on vegan nutrition (getting your iron, B12, calcium, protein, etc.)  They also include cooking and shopping tips.  I also can't wait for my own copy of Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Diet because her recipes look so good and include lots of Japanese foods.


Humble mujicha.  It's a cheap barley tea that's caffeine-free and doesn't contain the tannins that interfere with iron absorption.  I brew it cold, with one big teabag in a pitcher, for 30 minutes to up to 5 hours.  It has a subtle nutty, woodsy flavor.  I don't sweeten it, but it's good to drink with chocolatey and peanut buttery sweets.  Thanks to my local friends for serving me iced mujicha and getting me hooked!  It's also popular for babies & toddlers, and pregnant and nursing women.  A package of 54 large teabags costs about $2.50 here in Japan.   You can probably find it at an Asian market in the USA.

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