About Eat with Meraki
Hi, I’m Rie! Based in Japan, I’m passionate about whole food cooking and gluten-free baking that follows the Mediterranean Diet while using local Japanese ingredients. I like to call my style “MediterrAsian” cooking!
What is the Mediterranean Diet? It’s eating a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, healthy fats (nuts, seeds, and olive oil), moderate amounts of dairy, fish and seafood, red wine and white meat, and minimum red meat. It also avoids processed food, refined grains, refined oils and refined sugar. It prevents heart disease and stroke, keeps you agile and improves cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
In 2017, I flew to Italy to study the Mediterranean Diet, its positive effects on the human body and most importantly, how to apply it to my everyday life here in Japan. At its core, the Japanese diet is quite similar to the Mediterranean diet: high consumption of seafood, vegetables and whole grains.
Eat with Meraki is full of recipes and helpful information to help you incorporate healthy eating habits effortlessly into your everyday life. The recipes are quick, easy and don’t hurt your body or budget! Meraki in Greek means the soul, creativity and love put into doing something creative. I hope you enjoy my original recipes which I’ve put a lot of love into! May every meal be a celebration of health and life!
Chocolate Kabocha Layer Cake
One of my favorite baked treats! This gluten-free, dairy-free cake includes autumn essentials like kabocha, cocoa, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Baked Honey Figs and Halloumi
Late summer is fig season in Japan! Learn about this Mediterranean fruit’s many benefits and how it pairs excellently with halloumi cheese.
Halloumi Kale Salad
Halloumi is a pregnancy-friendly cheese and a great source of protein and calcium. Makes for a great addition to your regular salad!
Vegan Blueberry Cheesecake Bites
These guilt-free afternoon tea bites are perfect for a late summer treat!
Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Ice Cream Sandwich
Nutty ice cream sandwiched between chewy chocolate cookies – great for kids and hot summer days!
Beef Liver Taco Bowl
Liver doesn’t get the best rep, but it’s one of the best things you can eat while pregnant! Here’s one of my favorite ways to take beef liver.
Spicy Ginger Shots
No need caffeine – wake up with this spicy ginger shot filled with anti-inflammatory goodness!
Easy Summer Ceviche
A delicious appetizer or teatime snack during hot summer days – pairs excellently with gluten-free crackers!
Anti-Inflammatory Summer Juice
Recover from summer bugs and flus with this anti-inflammatory, refreshing juice!
5 Hacks to Growing Tomatoes
Growing your own tomatoes this summer? Here are some tips that helped me in my own little organic veggie patch!
Rosemary Beet Chips
An easy, quick and healthy snack that gets addictive really quickly.
Beet Breakfast Smoothie
You can’t “beet” (hah) this smoothie! Not only is it a gorgeous color, it’s also full of antioxidants and great for a healthy start to the day.
Gluten-Free Crackers
A super-quick go-to snack that will meet almost all your appetizer needs!
The Basics of Pregnancy and Childbirth in Japan
What’s it like being pregnant in Japan? Here’s a guide to what you need to know about being pregnant in Japan and the support you’re entitled to receive if you’re a resident.
My Pregnancy Journey: TTC and the First Trimester
A compilation of questions I had and health journey / learnings during my first few months of pregnancy!
Salmon Roe Pasta
A summery seafood pasta that’s nourishing and filled with omega-3 healthy fats!
Okara Crumble with “Nice” Cream
You’ll be surprised by this fluffy, guilt-free crumble topped with a scoop of dairy-free ice cream!
Chocolate “Nice Cream” with Ginger Okara Crumble
A scoop of creamy chocolate “nice” cream paired with a spicy ginger kick!
Okara Brownies
Enjoy this healthy brownie using okara, a by-product of tofu and sweetened with bananas!
Okara Kinako Sponge Cake
Learn to bake moist springy sponge cake with okara, a healthy, gluten-free and cheap by-product of tofu!
The Start of Summer: Pickled Ume Japanese Plum
It’s June which means it’s rainy season in Japan, and also when ume (Japanese plums) ripen. Learn about the ubiquitous ume found everywhere in Japanese cuisine!
Ume Shiso Carpaccio
This MediterrAsian recipe tops raw fish and summer vegetables with an appetizing, seasonal ume shiso dressing.
Ume Shiso Mojito
This seasonal mocktail blends fresh tropical flavors with Japanese summer essentials – pickled ume (plum) and shiso leaves!
Fluffy Banana Mango Bites
A taste of summer from your oven! This blend of mango, banana and coconut goes great with ice cream for hot days. Like the recipes for my other baked goodies, this treat is gluten free (and dairy free!).
Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Blueberry Banana Muffins
Wake up the house with delicious smells of banana and coconut for breakfast! This recipe has no gluten, dairy and refined sugar!
Gluten-Free Paleo Ginger Crunch
Inspired from my recent travel to New Zealand – a classic Kiwi favorite made healthy!
Nabana Pasta
Nabana is a quintessentially Japanese spring ingredient that has subtle spicy and bittern notes which make it delicious sautéed with olive oil and garlic!
Spiced Chai Tea
A perfect wake-me-up for those cold mornings! Easily customizable recipe once you have the right ingredients.
Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Muffins
A recipe for deliciously moist carrot cake muffins that are also gluten free, dairy free and guilt free! Packs and keeps well for weekend getaways and travel.
Raspberry Coconut Bark
Happy Valentine’s Day! This easy bark recipe is vegan with minimal sugar and our favorite toppings. You can make it in the morning, chill and enjoy later in the day!