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!
4-Ingredient Kabocha Pumpkin Pudding
An autumnal, dairy-free healthy pudding you can make with just four ingredients around the house.
Candied Cocoa Nuts
Fix your sweet-tooth craving with this heart-healthy, on-the-go snack!
Dairy-Free Moussaka
A classic Greek dish that’s heartwarming and easy to make! This healthier version of lasagna is both gluten and dairy free.
Gingerbread with Coconut Whipped Cream
Another gluten-free take on a classic autumn pastry! This recipe uses fresh, spicy ginger and is topped with smooth, buttery coconut whipped cream.
Stuffed Peppers
A taste of Greece! Here’s an easy-to-make lunch if you have lots of peppers lying around.
Vegan Kabocha Pumpkin Pie
A healthy, dairy-free and vegan take on a classic autumn pumpkin pie!
Vegan Kabocha Cookies
A delightfully chewy cookie with lots of pumpkin and maple syrup!
Kabocha Pumpkin Spice Smoothie Bowl
Kick off fall and cooler mornings with this smoothie bowl with an autumnal twist!
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.