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   Classic Somen Noodle dish with an assortment of garnishes.

I wrote a story on somen noodles in today's Los Angeles Times Food Section. My dentist in Pasadena who has treated me since I was a teenager read the article and contacted me about it.  I had not seen him in years. I got a few other e mails like this. Here is the link for the two recipes: http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-somen1-2009jul01,0,1958041.story. I like traditional somen served with a soy-mirin based dipping sauce.  I also made one with a spicy bean paste sesame dressing, which is Asian fusion.

Asian fusion style somen noodles served with spicy sesame sauce

I am packing for a month long trip to Tokyo and Paris. I leave on Friday. My family in Tokyo asked for the following souvenirs: My sister Fuyuko: an assortment of cheeses, My father: 3 packages of buckwheat pancake and waffle mix; My brothers: fresh tortillas; My mother: cotton pajamas; My friends: my homemade apricot jam.

I am also packing some mollases from North Carolina so Fuyuko, my pastry chef sister can try it in a recipe. My gifts from California are always ecclectic. I am going to the farmers market now to get some dried California fruit. I am looking forward to spending some solid time with my family in Tokyo and having some food adventures.