HUNGRY GERALD

HG loves and admires son Jeremy’s ‘wife (and HG/BSK’s daughter in law)–Maiko Sakamoto Freeman. She is Japanese and lives with Jeremy in Tokyo (two children–Son Haru, 20, and daughter, Teru, 14). She and Jeremy have been married close to 25 years and she is a devoted wife and outstanding Mother.  In addition, she and Jeremy own and run a successful izakaya restaurant–Freeman Shokudo (specializing in. Brooklyn barbecue–pastrami is better than any in New York). Maiko is diminutive. Beware. She is incredibly strong. Happily, the Tokyo family is with us (plus HG/BSK daughter Lesley R and her husband, Massimo R.) at the family waterfront home on Canada’s serene Prince Edward Island. Eight for dinner every night. But there’s no strain because the family has many talented and efficient cooks. My favourite is Maiko. Every summer when she visits, Maiko makes a celestial tempura–possibly the best food in the world. Tonight, Maiko showed  another side of her culinary art by making a robust, down home dish: kakuni.  HG is sure many Tokyo Moms make this  when they want to nourish their kids. Maiko simmers chunks of daikon radish, slices of pork belly, eggs in a broth enriched with soy sauce and mirin. Adds cooked rice and serves miso soup with tofu as a side. The eggs are not hard boiled–the yolks are jammy. The The daikon become soft, chewable and packed with flavor when cooked and the pork belly becomes unctuous. Maiko serves the dish with a very powerful Japanese mustard. Warning: A tiny dab is sufficient.