Taken by Taiko

You know a meal or experience is really good when all intentions of taking photos are forgotten. Our group of 9 adults and little people went to Taiko Japanese Restaurant in Kingsland, Auckland for a informal get together. Taiko is short walk up the hill from our home and has been the location of many fabulous dinners for family and friends and celebrations ranging from a venue for my staff work Christmas function to a before wedding dinner venue for us.

Our preferred way of dining is to order a heap of different dishes from the menu for a big group and all share them. Last night was one of those nights with everyone from adults, to 3 year olds to the grunting 17 year old big brother all getting a meal to suit them. Ian the owner is

incredibly accommodating, mixing a special 'cocktail' for the little people to make them feel special and important and ensuring the sushi orders of 'salmon and avocado sushi - without skin please' were catered for. I love the noisy busy atmosphere, lots of happy diners talking and and background music that would usually make you cringe fitting in perfectly.

My favourite is always the sashimi, closely followed by the most divine teriyaki chicken. The Ika rings - calamari was a hit with the little people and the Takoyaki - octopus balls topped with waving katsuobushi - shaved dried tuna (yes it actually moves) was a great source of fascination for everyone.

The meal was finished off beautifully with special Japanese ice cream for the little people and 'Umeshu' - plum wine for the adults.

Our out of town visitors are already planning a trip back to go back and do it all again!

The sashimi picture is from another visit...ours was scoffed so fast there was no chance of a picture!

More to Japanese Food than Sushi - Daikon Radish Salad Recipe

This week's Oooby Box contained a few challenges...one was Daikon Radishes. The whole appeal of getting a box of fruit and veges delivered is forcing me to experiment with new things rather than sticking to the tried and true.

This salad was amazing. Incredibly easy, a real Japanese flavour and I'm sure incredibly healthy too. It's just a shame I didn't have more family here to appreciate it.

Ok the photo is from the internet...the finished product wasn't hugely attractive.

Daikon salad with Wasabi dressing – serves 8

2-3 cups grated daikon (peeled)

2 cups grated carrot

1 pear, peeled and grated

1 Avocado, peeled, destoned and diced

Dressing

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

½- 1 teaspoon Wasabi paste

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar)

1 teaspoon sesame oil

3 tablespoons rice bran or vegetable oil

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Place grated daikon in a sieve and sprinkle over a teaspoon of salt. Stand for 30

minutes then squeeze out any excess liquid. Place in a bowl with the remaining

salad ingredients.

Mix all the dressing ingredients together and toss through the salad just before

serving.