You are probably aware that tofu has been an essential part of Japanese cuisine for several hundred years but did you know that it can also be prepared in over 100 different ways?!?      Tofu – a wonderfully versatile meat substitute – can be boiled, baked, grilled, fried, broiled, marinated or pureed. And it’s also an easy-to-digest protein or B vitamin and calcium supplement to your diet.

Unfortunately for the untrained tofu handler, preparing dishes with tofu can prove very challenging. That’s why on July 25^th, eight brave JETAA Portlanders attended the Miso Magic School of Japanese and Thai Cooking to learn how to make a four delicious and tofu-infused Japanese recipes. The Japanese Dinner Course with Tofu is one of six different 2.5hr. “hands-on” cooking courses taught by Chef Noriko Hirayama, a Kobe native and founder of the cooking school.

The Japanese Dinner Course with Tofu or “Tofu Tricks” course covers various topics like storing, draining, cutting and seasoning tofu, as well as, detailed preparation of:

-        Shira-Ae- warm spinach salad, carrots, konyakku and tofu dressing
-        Gomoku meshi- seasoned rice with tofu and vegetables
-        Tofu Teriyaki- pan-seared tofu steaks with sautéed spinach and enoki mushrooms
-        Tofu Burgers with salmon, carrots, shitake mushrooms and green onions

If you enjoy tofu and are looking for some exciting new recipe ideas, you should definitely look into taking this class. Or if you just love to eat Japanese foods, you’ll also enjoy the wonderful leftovers you get to take home after the dishes are made.

For a complete class schedule or more information about Miso Magic School of Japanese and Thai Cooking, please visit http://www.misomagic.com/ or contact Chef Noriko by phone or email: info@misomagic.com or 503-867-6367.

For future cultural events, contact cultural@jetaaportland.com*

Related posts:

1. Iron Chef 2010
2. Iron Chef 2009
3. International School Activities & Events

June 5 (Friday)
5-8 p.m. Benson Hotel Hospitality Desk (in lobby)

June 6 (Saturday)
10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Pioneer Place Sapporo Booth
5-8 p.m. Pioneer Place Sapporo Booth
6 p.m.  Home visit dinner

June 7 (Sunday)
8-10 a.m. Benson Hotel Hospitality Desk
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Pioneer Place Sapporo Booth
2-6 p.m. Pioneer Place Sapporo Booth
3-5 p.m. Benson Hotel Hospitality Desk
4-9 p.m. Private Event at Portland Japanese Gardens

June 8 (Monday)
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.Citizens Group Downtown Walking Tour
1-3 p.m. Benson Hotel Hospitality Desk

June 9 (Tuesday)
8-11 a.m. Benson Hotel Hospitality Desk

To volunteer or for more information, send an email to community@jetaaportland.com

Benson Hotel Hospitality Desk
The Sapporo delegation is staying at the Benson, and will have a hospitality desk in the lobby.  Two bilingual volunteers are needed at the desk during the times that the visitors may need help or just want to have a chat.  The hotel’s reception people will help if specific information is needed. PSSCA board member’s cell phone list will be provided for any situation that require PSSCA’s assistance.

Pioneer Place Sapporo Booth
The Sapporo Children’s Art Exhibit and Sapporo Tourism Booth will be located on the lower floor of Pioneer Place during the weekend, toward the east end, by the Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe. There is a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 5.  A representative form Sapporo Tourism Promotion Department will be manning the booth, handing out brochures and maps, as well as answering questions. PSSCA needs two bilingual volunteers to assist him.

Home Visit
Portland families are inviting Sapporo citizens in small groups to dinner at their homes. We need two people with a car who can pick up guests at the Benson Hotel downtown at 6 p.m., take them to a party in NE Portland, and return them after the dinner.  Your level of Japanese does not have to be high, but enough to be sociable to help the guests and hosts enjoy the festivities.  Please be sensitive to the fact that Japan now has a zero-tolerance rule and help our guests enjoy their evening by not drinking at the party.

Private Event at Portland Japanese Gardens
The Portland Japanese Garden is hosting a special Mayors’ Reception in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Portland-Sapporo Sister City Association. Volunteers are needed for this private event; duties may include welcoming guests, giving information about the location and schedule of events, helping to manage crowds inside the exhibition, serving food and drinks, and generally interacting with visitors from Japan. http://www.japanesegarden.com/events/parallel-worlds/

** None of above assignment require a translator level Japanese, but need somebody who is comfortable with conversational Japanese to help visitors (and Portlanders) feel welcome.

** Besides above assignments, they are looking for people with a car to provide ride to Ikebana teachers from the Benson to a retirement community in SE Portland. There are maximum of 12 ladies, so they need 4 cars to pick up at the Benson at 8-8:30 a.m. (they have a ride back so it’s only one way).

To volunteer or for more information, send an email to community@jetaaportland.com

Related posts:

1. Obon at the Portland Japanese Garden – Volunteers Needed
2. Consulate Volunteers Needed
3. Japanese Consulate of Portland Volunteer Opportunites

THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OFFERS FREE JAPANESE “SING AND PLAY” CLASS FOR TODDLERS
No prior Japanese knowledge required.

What:  “Sing and Play” class, taught in Japanese by International School Japanese teachers
For who:  Children ages 0 through 4 with a parent or caregiver.
Cost:  Free
When:  Fridays, 10:00-10:30am, Starting April 3 for Three weeks (Apr 3, 10, &24)
Where:  The International School, Second building Japanese First grade Class Room
025 SW Sherman Street, Portland, OR 97201

Reservations are required: For information or reservation, contact Keiko in Japanese or in English at Japanese@intlschool.org or 503-226-2496 x305.

WHAT: Preschool & Kindergarten Open House for Japanese, Spanish & Chinese total immersion programs

WHEN: Tuesday, April 17, 2009, drop-in for tours 9am through 1pm

WHY: For families to see and understand the total immersion program for children aged 3 years to 5th grade. Visitors will get to talk to see classes in action and talk with current parents and administrators.

WHO: Families of children aged 0 to 6 (who have not yet started kindergarten). Children are welcome to tour with their parents.

WHERE: In the South Waterfront area of downtown:
• See 3-year-old preschool classes at 2717 SW Corbett Street, Portland, 97201
• See 4-year-old preschool through 5th grade classes down the street at 2305 SW Water Avenue, Portland, 97201

MORE INFORMATION: www.intlschool.org, 503-226-2496
The International School provides a multicultural environment where children are fully immersed in Chinese, Spanish or Japanese for preschool through fifth grade. Children become bilingual as they learn a full American curriculum with native speaking teachers and small classes. The International School was founded in 1990, and today educates 400 children. www.intlschool.org, 503-226-2496, 025 SW Sherman Street, Portland, Oregon 97201.

The International School is once again offering its popular language immersion summer camp. Children have a summer of fun while learning Japanese, Chinese or Spanish with native-speaking teachers. Campers are invited to explore a brand new language or practice one they already know. They examine a science theme and discover international culture through crafts, games, math, geography and cultural arts. There are different culture activities and science themes each session, so children can have fun attending any number of sessions.

Each session also features special classes for senior students (age 8 to 12), swimming lessons with certified instructors and field trips (Ages 6 to 12), cultural performers, ice-cream delight, art with a specialist for the younger classes.

SESSION 1: June 15 – June 26. THEME: “International Culture Week” & Bees

SESSION 2: June 29 – July 10 (no camp July 3). THEME: “International Culture Week” & Penguins

SESSION 3: July 13 to July 24, THEME: “International Culture Week” & Bears

SESSION 4: July 27 – August 7, THEME: “International Culture Week” & Eagles

Camp days run from 8am to 4pm; three to five year olds may choose to attend from 8am to noon.

MORE INFORMATION: www.intlschool.org, 503-226-2496
The International School provides a multicultural environment where children are fully immersed in Chinese, Spanish or Japanese for preschool through fifth grade. Children become bilingual as they learn a full American curriculum with native speaking teachers and small classes. The International School was founded in 1990, and today educates 400 children. www.intlschool.org, 503-226-2496, 025 SW Sherman Street, Portland, Oregon 97201.

Related posts:

1. International School winter events
2. The International School Japanese Movie Night: Ponyo
3. Free Japanese Sing and Play for toddlers