Ryoko's Pork Dumplings

Ryoko returned home to Tokyo last weekend.   My final cooking lesson from Ryoko was making pork dumplings.  You may think getting those pleats in the dough is difficult.  Actually once you know how it is really easy.

On Ryoko's last evening in Auckland we made pork dumplings, drank champagne and watched "Lost in Translation" on TV.

Hosting overseas students is  a great way to learn about other cultures.  Ryoko came to New Zealand to learn about our culture and we benefit by learning a little about hers.

We learnt about sake and green tea

- when Ryoko's Mum sent us a parcel of Japanese specialties.

We enjoyed more Japanese specialties and Californian wine

-when a parcel arrived from Ryoko's sister in California.

Here are  a couple more photos taken during Ryoko's  stay.


Check out Ryoko's  blog . Now she is back in Japan she will be posting again soon.  Yesterday I received a lovely email from her friend Miki in Tokyo who also has a blog . It's in Japanese so I don't understand a word, or should that be character,  of  it. There are pics of some  tempting looking  food and some gorgeous  handbags.  I think the handbags are made by Miki.