Cooking at Cafe Drake with Harumi Kurihara

So we're fixated on Harumi's easy Japanese home cooking. Yes? KK. See below a delicious and fast recipe to spice up brown rice (altered a bit by Cafe Drake for easier prep in Western kitchens) and above, photos from our latest experiment inspired by Harumi's cookbooks and website: pan-fried tofu steaks, braised daikon and carrots and garlic fried rice.

GARLIC FRIED RICE (NINNIKU CHAHAN)

2 cups cooked brown rice / 2 garlic cloves, minced / about 1/2 cup shredded fresh basil and mint leaves, combined / 2 T. oil / soy sauce / salt/ cayenne pepper

1. Heat oil in a large skillet and fry garlic for about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn.


2. Add rice and mix very well.


3. Turn off flame and stir in some soy sauce and salt and cayenne pepper.


4. Stir well again and add chopped herbs.


5. Serve hot/warm with any protein you desire.