Eating My Way Through Orlando's Universal Studios Theme Parks

It certainly took me awhile to post a trip report of my Orlando vacation last year. Yes, I paid a visit to some of my favorite theme parks in the world and it's been such a long time since I last visited. I think the last time I was there was during the millenium. Yep, 14 years ago and that is a very long time!

One of my favorite experiences there has to be the Universal parks, especially since they opened up their ridiculously popular Harry Potter Lands. They first built The Wizarding World of Harry Potter over at Universal Studio's Island of Adventure theme park. Then shortly afterwards they went on to build the amazing Diagon Alley at Universal Studios.

All I can say was that it was amazing and exceeded all my expectations! I have to applaud them for a job well done because never, in my entire life, would I find myself saying that nothing at Disney compares to this. Nothing! I have never in my life, been so immersed in a theme park like the Harry Potter areas of Universal Studios Resort.

You know how you find the same things being sold all over the theme parks at Disney? There's almost nothing unique about the stores over there except perhaps the stores themselves. Universal takes it beyond that and include unique items for sale at their stores. This makes shopping extremely fun and satisfying.

We sure ate lots of good food, including the best ribs I've had at a theme park over at The Three Broomsticks. The Harry Potter attractions blew my mind and nothing comes even close at the Disney parks. Make no mistake, I am a Disney fan. But Universal has been really stepping up their game and it makes a huge difference.

Back home in Tokyo, I'm still itching to experience the attractions again at Diagon Alley and Wizarding World and that's a first for me. Oh, and the Springfield area of Universal Studios was a lot of fun too! Love that entire area! Love, love love!

Here are some photos of some of the food we ate. Now if you really want to see everything we devoured, check out my video trip report. A word of warning. If you're hungry right now, I guarantee you that you'll be hungrier by the end of the video!

CLICK HERE FOR THE AMAZING TRIP REPORT VIDEO

As always thanks so much for reading. Subscribe to this blog, visit my YouTube channel and connect with me on social media by clicking on the social media icons on the sidebar. Thanks and hope you're all having a wonderful day!

Super-Quick Mushrooms with Soy Butter Sauce

Here's another super-easy recipe for  you guys who are short on time but want something healthy and delicious. Using one of my favorite ingredients in the world, mushrooms are the star of this simple recipe you can whip up in mere minutes.

I'm using a variety of mushrooms but you can use whatever that's available. Here in Japan we are blessed to have a wide variety of mushrooms that are really inexpensive, so it's easy to go crazy.

Ingredients: Serves 2

2-3 variety of mushrooms
4 pats of butter
salt and pepper to taste
soy sauce to taste

Directions:

Line baking pan with aluminum foil. Place mushrooms onto the foil. Add butter. Season with salt and pepper. Fold foil over to cover mushrooms. Crease sides of foil and secure. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes at 200C or 450F. Carefully open the foil. Serve on plate with a dash of soy sauce. Enjoy!

WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL HERE

Don't forget to subscribe to this blog and while you're at it, subscribe to my YouTube channel where I post 6 videos per week! That's 3 recipes per week plus 3 other random stuff all related to either travel or food with a dose of fun.

You can jump to TabiEats YouTube Channel Here!

Whether or not you're busy with no time to spare, give this recipe a try and let me know how you like it. Cheers everyone!

TabiEats Worldwide Giveaway

Hi guys. I'm so sorry for the lack of updates on the blog. I've been crazy busy with my YouTube channel and I think I've finally gotten used to making 6 videos a week without feeling like a zombie at the end of the week. So please accept my apology and I promise to keep this blog updated more frequently.

Today I'm so excited to announce a worldwide giveaway! Yes, this is my second giveaway and I'm stoked! You do have to watch the video on my YouTube channel and comment over there so do that after you read the rules below.

***RULES***

Once we reach 1000 subscribers over at TabiEats YouTube Channel ( we are currently at 560 subs ), we will be giving away these prizes. Deadline is March 6, 2015. We will announce the winners on a video on March 7, 2015.

Three winners will be chosen randomly from the comments below. The more you share, comment and like our videos, the more we'll notice you. :)

Answer these 4 questions in the comments below the video:

1. What kind of recipes would you like to see us make?
2.Which do you like best? Ramen, pizza, cake or gluten-free cookie?
3.What would you like to see more of on this channel?
4. Which gift would you like to receive?

***GIFT LIST***
(Choose one gift from below)

1. Flower cake mold & cookie cutter
2. Heart-shape cake mold and cookie cutter
3. 5-set flower molds
4. 5-set leaf molds
5. Sakura bowls and spoons set
6. Popin Cookin Obento Kit
7. Popin Cookin Hamburger Kit

I'll be showing you all the gifts in the video so go and watch that right now. And you might as well participate because I'm sure there is a gift that has your name on it.

CLICK HERE to watch the GIVEAWAY VIDEO!

Good luck everyone and thanks so much for your support.

How to Make a Gluten-Free Chocolate Mug Cake

Here's another simple recipe for you gluten-free sweet lovers. By popular demand, I created this easy chocolate mug cake and it's really good. I like to add chopped chocolates into the batter, but if you're trying to keep your carb count as low as possible, feel free to omit them. They still taste good.

Also, the key to a good mug cake is not to overcook. It's always better to slightly go less as overcooking will make them dry.

Ingredients: 2 Servings

2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons almond flour
1 teaspoon coconut flour
1 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar substitute
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
pinch of salt
1 egg
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 square piece chocolate, chopped
whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds. Add the rest of the ingredients in. Stir until well combined. Grease 2 small mugs with oil or butter. Fill mugs with batter. Microwave for 1 minute. You may need to microwave it for 30 seconds more depending on your oven. Serve on plate with a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy!

I definitely recommend watching my VIDEO TUTORIAL BY CLICKING HERE.
You'll see just how easy this one is easy to make!

If  you haven't done so already, subscribe to my blog and while you're here, you might as well subscribe to my YouTube Channel. I promise you won't regret doing so. :) Pinky promise!

Easy-to-Make Decadent Chocolate Lava Cake

Valentine's is just right around the corner and there's nothing that says Valentine's then chocolate. And yes, I can see some of you rolling your eyes right now thinking, "Lava cake?" Yeah I know I know. So 90's and all that. The truth of the matter is, I still find the Lava Cake enticing and irresistible.

For this version, I've added a hint of instant coffee and allspice to give it extra dimension. I've also hidden some white chocolate in the middle for added visual effect.

Ingredients:Serves 2

5 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons sugar
50 grams chocolate
1 teaspoon instant coffee
1 teaspoon allspice
4 pieces white chocolate
1 egg
oil or butter for greasing
1 tablespoon cocoa powder

Instructions:

Grease muffin tins with spray oil or butter.
Dust the inside of tins with cocoa powder.
Chop chocolate into smaller pieces. Add to a bowl.
Cut up butter into small blocks. Add to the bowl then add your sugar. Melt in microwave for 40-50 seconds.
Take out and mix well. Add instant coffee and allspice. Mix.
Add one egg and mix well. Add flour and mix to combine. Do not overmix. Add 1/4 cup batter into muffin tins. Add 2 pieces white chocolate. Add remainder of chocolate batter. Wrap the tins with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 200C or 450F. Unwrap the tins and bake for 7-8 minutes.
Cool for 5-10 minutes or until cool to touch. Loosen the cake with a knife. Flip onto a plate. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with your favorite ice cream. You can also drizzle a pretty strawberry syrup(heat strawberry jam and a little water in small saucepan) over the cake for extra drama. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE for CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE Tutorial

I hope you guys enjoyed today's recipe. I did that's for sure. If you do make this, please consider sharing your creations and make sure to add #tabieats. I'm over at all the major social media sites.

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Google Plus : https://plus.google.com/+ShinichiMine1/posts

Also I would love it if you'd join me over at YouTube where you'll see me around every single day! Have an awesome day friends!

One-Pan Beef Broccoli Omelette

In this day and age, even with all the latest technology and gadgets, gizmos a-plenty, we still never seem to have enough time. I know that's definitely true in my case, and with all the blogging, vlogging, editing, traveling and the endless tasks involved to make it all happen, there's barely enough time to cook.

Sure I create three recipes every week for blogging purposes, but the rest of the time, I just don't seem to have the energy to cook. So today, I'm going to wing it, yes I will. And as you'll see, I'm a pro when it comes to winging it. In fact, it's my favorite way of cooking!

Now, I know that might not be the best thing for someone like me to admit, but I'd rather be honest with you than not. And just because it didn't take hundreds of steps with a two dozen ingredients, doesn't mean it's not good.

So as I mentioned earlier, I winged it today, but boy I did it with style. And the results were better than good! So without making you wait any longer ( I know you're too busy for that!), I give you my recipe.

Ingredients: Serves 2-4

3/4 cup broccoli ( par-boiled )
1/2 cup thinly sliced beef
1/2 onion sliced
6 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper

Directions:

Saute onions with butter until translucent. Take out and set aside.
Saute beef with a little butter until cooked. Salt and pepper to taste. Take out and set aside.
Saute broccoli with butter for 1 minute. Take out and set aside.
Whip eggs with fork. Add milk, salt and pepper to eggs.
Put butter into frying pan. Add egg mixture in.
Heat on low.
Add onions, meat and broccoli on top of the egg mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cover the frying pan and cook for 20-25 minutes over low to medium low heat.
Once eggs are cooked, it's ready! Serve with soy sauce on the side and use as desired.

As always, I have a video tutorial just for you! I urge you to watch me it so you can see just how delicious the results turned out. This really is my favorite way to cook!

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO TUTORIAL

If  you haven't done so already, subscribe to my blog and while you're here, you might as well subscribe to my YouTube Channel. I promise you won't regret doing so. :) I'm serious guys! No kidding!