Food By Ayaka -

Spicy Sesame Peanut Noodles (Vegan/Gluten-Free)

Hello everyone! So much has happened since my last post, namely the coronavirus pandemic. Here in Ohio, we have been in quarantine since mid-March. It looks like I’ll be finishing my senior year of high school from home! Though this whole situation is quite scary, it’s also an opportunity to take a step back from…

Tempura Green Beans With Soy-Lime Dipping Sauce

I was a picky eater as a kid. Foods couldn’t be touching on the plate, salad had to be dressing-free, and condiments other than ketchup were off limits. Despite my mom’s best efforts to get me to try new foods, I was set on eating French fries and PBJ sandwiches for the rest of my…

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies

What is your favorite type of cookie? Are you a classic chocolate chip person? Or are you a double chocolate lover? Better yet, are you one of the rare oatmeal raisin fans? Personally, I answered yes to all of the above. I rarely meet a cookie that I don’t like! However, there is one cookie…

Crispy Ginger Sriracha Tofu

Tofu has a reputation for being soggy, bland, and downright disgusting. This used to offend me, as I grew up in a Japanese household where we ate it everyday! However, after seeing how Americans try to eat tofu (straight out of the package, with no seasoning, and sometimes even raw), I understand why they may…

Vegan Taiyaki (Japanese Fish Shaped Waffle)

Are you team pancakes or team waffles? I like pancakes for an everyday breakfast, but waffles are definitely my go-to for special occasions. They seem more like dessert to me, probably because of waffle cones for ice cream, plus the rise of Hong Kong-style bubble waffles in NYC. Speaking of which, what is with those…

Instant Pot 粒あん (Japanese Red Bean Paste)

Happy 2020 everyone! I hope you all are having a wonderful start to the new year. This year was one of the first that my mother and I didn’t attend a party with おせち料理 (osechi-ryori), or traditional Japanese New Year foods. In the past, we would get together with our local Japanese friends and participate…

Vegan Hot Cocoa Cookies

Is anybody else experiencing the post-Christmas blues? The holiday was so wonderful and relaxing that I don’t want to return to reality. Fortunately, I have a bit of time left until I have to return to classes. Plus, I still have leftover holiday food to enjoy! This year, I purchased the Field Roast Celebration Roast…

Christmas Tree Rice Cereal Treats (Vegan/Gluten-Free)

Is the holiday season really the most wonderful time of the year? That depends. If you’re a kid, then December can truly be magical. However, if you’re a senior in high school, like me, December is actually pretty dreadful. Midterm exams go right up until winter break, essentially ruining the time that should be spent…

Banana Bread Donuts With Maple Glaze (Vegan)

Everybody knows what to do when bananas go brown: make banana bread. But is that really the only use for overripe bananas? Isn’t there anything else you can make with them? Yes, there is! Banana bread donuts are my current obsession. They’re quicker to make than banana bread, more portable, and well… they’re donuts! Who…

Vegan Zucchini Walnut Cake With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Back-to-school season is upon us, and I’m not quite sure how I feel about it. Although I’m sad that summer is coming to an end, I’m also ready to get back to having a daily routine. Last week, I began my senior year of high school, and so far all is well. College applications and…