This DIY Dessert is so Elegant and Fun! (Patreon)

Hello, Critters!

The other day I had two of my best friends I hadn't seen for literal years over and we spent the entire day together catching up. We've all been through a lot together, seen each other's kids grow up, graduate, and start making their own way in life. Don't let anyone tell you you can't make a 'real' Japanese friend. For some reason that myth is passed around a lot (I could talk a lot about my opinions on this, but...). Anyway, our get-together was emotional and joyous and very gift giving.

It's always "gift giving" as you'll find nearly all get-togethers in Japan to be (I could talk a lot about this, too 😅). We've made the whole process fun though. Basically, there are no surprises. We KNOW we're all going to bring gifts for each other and they should be relatively nice, thoughtful, and a little unique.

Here's one I got that I knew about but had never eaten before.

It's called Anpōne and comes from Kyoto (Gion area) originally. It's an East meets West, wonderfully elegant little DIY dessert.

"An" you'll find in words like anko (red bean paste). But it actually means some kind of filling or stuffing. The meat you put in gyoza potstickers is also called an. Same for nikuman, those steamed meat buns. So doesn't have to be sweet.

"Pone" comes from mascarpone. The cheese!

This what you get when you open the box.

The two cup-shaped wafers are called monaka. They're really crisp and light and usually filled with some kind of an, red bean paste is common.

But with anpone you put it all together yourself. This makes for extra crispy outer shell as it doesn't take on any of the moisture from the an. 

You get a bunch of empty monaka shells and two jars, one filled with some flavor (more of them below) and the other with mascarpone. You'll also find a much needed wooden stick and instructions.

Then you just make your own little treat.

I got Richard to hold one for me. He did't want to eat it, so I did. I. Ate. All. Of. Them. 

Over a bit of time, of course. *ahem*

Delightful.

I believe this was persimmon-flavored. Everything is very lightly sweetened, too. 

I found some more examples of different flavors. It looks like seasonal flavors are a big deal.

It also looks like I filled mine wrong. Not top bottom? Side and side?

Strawberry.

Peach.

Blueberry.

Bean!

I also found pistachio, chestnut, pumpkin, and of course green tea.

So if you're in Kyoto in the Gion area and want to try something different and yummy. Here's their official website.

https://a-n-kyoto.shop-pro.jp/

Okay, just looked and you can find them in other places, too. Like Tokyo. 

https://a-n.kyoto.jp/ 

In other news, trying to fit in as much as possible in the Sapporo/Shibetsu visit. What did I ever do before Google Maps? I'm sure trips were more harrowing and adventurous. But perhaps less time wasted on trying to find something, because now I know what the storefront looks like. Remember paper maps? 

Awkward conversation with neighbor M-san, but I was polite and told her the pears were wonderful. She bowed, said that's nice. Even better than that, though, the crow is getting used to me and will fly somewhat close by when she sees me or if I can't see her but click my tongue, she'll swoop to H-san's roof or a telephone wire. 

H-san came over with a bag and asked me to get her mail while she's gone. She's going to the funeral of her little brother way down south. We talked for awhile and she sounded excited about the local foods and seeing lots of friends and family. Her own children who are in their sixties will go with her. So she's excited about that, too. When she left I said, Have a great time! Immediately sticking my foot in my mouth (guh...funeral...). I apologized and she laughed and said, it was cool. I so admire her vibe.  

XO,

t