Tokyo University Potatoes, #SundaySupper

NinjaBaker — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 07:35:14 +0000

Did you have an afterschool job? Students at Tokyo University (the Harvard of Japan) supported themselves by selling sweet potatoes caramelized in honey and sprinkled with sesame seeds. The scrumptious treat that originally made its debut in the Taisho period (1912-1926) eventually became a staple at street fairs.

University Potatoes:
Sweet potatoes caramelized in honey and sprinkled with sesame seeds.

Evenings late in August and early September brought out the street fair vendors in Tokyo. Our family would join the yukata (cotton kimono) clad crowd and make a beeline for the daigaku imo – university potatoes. Soon after we’d sink our teeth into the crunchy honey-sesame shell covering the soft sweet potatoes. A guaranteed smile from the sapling Ninja Baker.

From the street fair to the Sunday Supper table -
The Ninja Baker's Tokyo University Potatoes.

Street food is being served at tonight’s #SundaySupper. (Scroll down for details about the Twitter event.) University potatoes were my first choice. I thought I’d make them somewhat healthy by roasting instead of frying the potatoes. Er, I didn’t exactly have my Tokyo University/Harvard thinking cap on when I drizzled the tots with honey on the cookie sheet. You guessed it! Seconds later smoke signaled the mistake and soon I was scrubbing honey off the oven floor. Sigh. So I fried the potatoes. Once again I drizzled the lovely gems with honey and sprinkled sesame seeds. The result? Um. Truth? They were edible…So what did I learn? Fly to Tokyo for the treat!

Daigaku Imo University Potato Ingredients:
Cut up sweet potatoes, honey, sesame seeds and vegetable oil.

Perhaps you will have better luck with this 1-2-3 recipe. All you need are cut up sweet potatoes, honey, sesame seeds and vegetable oil. Fry up the potatoes until tender. Blot the oil off the potatoes. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Today’s #SundaySupper is hosted by Bea of The Not So Cheesy Kitchen and Heather of Girlichef. Both ladies’ sites glitter with stellar recipes. As do the food bloggers listed below.

Bread on the Boulevard

Bavarian Soft Pretzels from The Foodie Army Wife
Pao de Queijo from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Gluten Free Focaccia di recco from No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
Martabak (stuffed pancake or pan-fried bread) from The Urban Mrs
Socca from Curious Cuisiniere

Hand-Held Savory Eats

Carnitas Tortas from Cookin' Mimi
Schnitzelwecken {Schnitzel on a bun} from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Tortas de Milanesa (Pork Cutlet Sandwiches) from Juanita's Cocina
Waffle Cone Fried Chicken from Jane's Adventures in Dinner
Feta Chicken Kabobs from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Beef Taquitos from Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Chorizo, Chimichurri and Salsa Sandwiches from Vintage Kitchen Notes
Falafel Pita Sandwich from Mama's Blissful Bites
Croque Monsieur from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Chicken and Chorizo Street Tacos from I Run For Wine
Tandoori Chicken Wrap from Foxes Love Lemons
SoCal Rolled Tacos from Webicurean
Samosas from Soni's Food
Beef and Pork Empanadas from Magnolia Days

To-Go Containers

NicaMales (Nicaraguan Street Food) from The Hand That Rocks The Ladle
Currywurst mit Pommes from girlichef
Arancinis from My cute bride
Poutine from Noshing with the Nolands
Tokyo University Potatoes from NinjaBaking.com
Tacos de Carne Asada from Family Foodie

Sweets on the Streets

Nutella Crepes from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Easy Apple Churros with Dulce de Leche from Daily Dish Recipes
Kettle Corn from Killer Bunnies, Inc
Hotteok from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
Funnel Cake 3 Ways from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Sweet Corn Tamale (Tamal Asado) from Basic N Delicious
Pisang Goreng (Deep Fried Bananas) from Food Lust People Love
Banana Nutella Swirl Gelato from Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Grab a Thermos

Wine Pairing Recommendations For Global Street Food #SundaySupper from ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

And remember that we have a #SundaySupper chat at 7 PM each on Sunday evening. We tweet throughout the day using the hashtag #SundaySupper, then we all gather to share ideas, recipes and answer questions from 7-8 PM ET. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest Board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? You can sign up here: Sunday Supper Movement

Wishing you smarts!

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Tags:

Tokyo University

daigaku potatoes

#SundaySupper

The Ninja Baker - daigaku potatoes

Tokyo University Potatoes, #SundaySupper