The Dynamic Duo

Tuesday, Dec. 5. Wherein UltraMom and Heather cook and UltraBob eats….and eats…and eats…

Today, we are kind of having a kick-back day. The Ultrakids are still trying hard not to get sick, and we have some pretty ambitious plans for the rest of the week, especially Tokyo Disneysea tomorrow. I have been given an Apple Mini-Mac as a gift by my favorite children in Japan, and Ubob is helping me shop online for needed accessories, such as keyboard. Actually, now it sounds like this is the day we will be trying to replicate a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, most especially for UltraBob, but also for the members of UltraGirl’s family that can join us.
Heather and I brainstorm and concoct a list. UltraGirl calls “The Chicken Place”, where birds are prepared for sale to make sure we can purchase a whole chicken, which is a hard thing to come by in Japan. A turkey can be had if enough advance notice is given, but the bird will have to be cooked in the toaster oven, so size-wise chicken seems the best choice. Also, though not traditional, Heather’s world-famous Mexican dip will be on the menu, by popular request.
UltraBob, Heather and I go to the market while UltraGirl cleans house. It is so different from American supermarkets, and, as Heather remarks, has a very large “Asian” section! I am unable to find cranberries, so settle on a pudding/strawberry type dessert to which we add extra canned fruit. No canned green beans for Heather’s casserole, so we get fresh ones. Bread, not a staple here is interesting, and is sold in half loaf sizes, usually in thick slices. This will have to do for stuffing; in anticipation I have brought poultry seasoning from home. By the time we have made our selections I have a slight headache; Ubob, trying hard to be patient, has also had enough.
Back at the house, Heather and I get to work. It is supposed to an afternoon off of cooking for UGirl, but we keep her busy fetching ingredients, pans and bowls. I make the stuffing, get the chicken on and prepare mashed potatoes and gravy, as well as beets and the fruit. Heather’s part is a bit more labor intensive as she chops lettuce, tomatoes, pitted olives, almonds, and frenches the green beans. Everything is ready about 1/2 hour after the guests arrive. Not all invited have been able to come, but we are happy to see UltraGirl’s parents Yuri and Motoji and the family friend who works for Karate Uncle and has been working on the Suzuki house.
Dinner is served with small plates and chopsticks, a bit different from the American huge plate groaning with food. UltraBob is a bit cranky when asked to translate; he wants to focus entirely on the meal of his dreams. The tastes are foreign to Japanese palates. Yuri likes only the mashed potatoes/no gravy, but she those she likes quite well, and asks for some to take home for her young “prince”, Mitsuhiro. Motoji, true to form, likes pretty much everything, especially the tortilla chips. He uses the chips as holders for the more insubstantial foods such as green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and turkey dressing. On the whole, the dinner is a great success; at least it accomplishes its main purpose of giving UltraBob a taste of Thanksgiving home, though it would have been much better with the cranberries. Don’t you agree, UltraGirl?
After some socializing, Yuri and Motoji whirlwind through the kitchen, cleaning everything in sight. It is a bit of a mess from UltraMom and Heather’s cooking extravaganza.
Tomorrow will be one of the best days of the vacation. Tomorrow we are going to Tokyo DisneySea. We have to get up early, so I’d better get some shuteye.

UltraMom

UltraBob getting ready to enjoy

Heather’s Famous Taco Dip

Motoji: Everything is better on a Tortilla Chip

Compai! (sp?)