
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!
Turmeric Chicken with Mango Salsa
This is one of my favorite dishes to make, bursting with spices and flavors! This meal follows the Mediterranean Diet but its flavors remind me so much of Malaysian dishes I grew up eating.
Sea Bream with Sesame Miso Dressing
Madai (red sea bream) in Japan is a fish usually eaten to celebrate something! The versatile madai is an excellent ingredient to wow your guests (and your palate).
Let’s Talk about Polyphenols!
Polyphenols are micronutrients found most famously in olive oil, as well as berries, herbs, spices, nuts, cocoa powder, flax seeds and veggies! They improve heart health, lower risk of diabetes, reduce blood pressure, contain anticancer properties and boost immunity.
Golden Turmeric Milk
I like to start off my day with a cup of spicy, creamy golden milk! Golden milk is popular for its healing, anti-inflammatory properties found in turmeric and ginger.
Spicy Seared Bonito
One of my favorite fish is katsuo (skipjack tuna): it’s lean, a great source for essential fatty acids, calcium, zinc and other rich minerals, sustainable and cheap!
Immune-Boosting Breakfast Juice
This breakfast juice is made up of a combination of vegetables and fruits perfect to get you ready for the day! It’s loaded with vitamins and tastes refreshing, cooling and delicious!