...I was born in Poland. When I was 5 years old, my parents returned to Japan with me. I graduated from Kyoto City College of Fine Arts with a B.A. Then I worked at Dentsu Advertising Co. nearly one year.
...In 1969 I had a chance to visit New York. Mr. Steinberg, who was my father’s friend, registered me and paid my tuition at the language course for foreign students at Colombia University. Instead I attended the Art Students League to fulfill my dream. I lived in an apartment in Soho, New York. My future husband Kurt lived next door. He was a very good looking NYU graduate student with a nice voice. Also he was very kind. I liked him even though he had a lot of girl friends. I married him and moved to Queens. Our parents weren’t happy about the whole thing. I was young and didn’t fear anything. We have two children. Our son, Anton, is an architect and married. Our daughter, Erika, is an orthopedic surgeon at Case Western University Hospital in Cleveland. People ask me very often, “How did you bring them up?” I usually tell them, “ Our children didn’t want to grow up like us.”
...Kurt worked hard for us; he is a good provider, father and husband. Since our children were doing well, I suggested to Kurt that he retire even though he enjoyed his work. Good man Kurt did. Now we enjoy our interests. We traveled and visited many interesting places. Kurt loves opera, photography and audio. When the weather gets warmer, we go to the Adirondacks where we have a house. I love gardening. Last year my flower garden was beautiful. Kurt took a lot of pictures of it. But my vegetable garden was miserable. I will make it better this year.
...How about your English Takami? I asked myself. It is terrible. It’s time to learn correct English. I registered myself at the language center at LaGuardia Community College. After 40 years, I’m sitting in the class among students my grandchildren’s age.

...Mad cow disease, bird flu and mercury in fish. What do we have to eat next to survive? Food is like a language changing all over the world. Food culture has become more and more universal.
...Wnen I came to U.S. 30 years ago, most people didn’t know TOFU. I am sure a lot of people know what Tofu is now. Tofu is a product of soybeans. It has soybean protein, which is low in calories and contains no cholesterol. It is not only cheap but super nutritious. It also wards off heart disease and cancer. Now we can buy tofu at every supermarket. Have you heard of tofu burger or tofu ice cream?
...Tofu history goes back almost 2000 years in China. A Japanese monk told me when I was a college student in Kyoto how tofu was discovered in China and brought to Japan by Japanese monk. The Chinese cooked boiled soybeans a long time in a pot, which became a mushy soup. This cook threw in some sea salt to taste. The pot full of mushy soybeans separated: water on top and soybean curd on the bottom. He poured this soybean curd into bamboo basket, squeezed out excess water and tasted. It was delicious. He introduced to Chinese Emperor. In 710 B.C. tofu came to Japan the first time with Buddhist monk. by 1600 the Japanese were making it, and it became part of the every day diet.
...Wnen I was a child, every morning and every night tofu vendor came around each street to sell freshly made tofu to housewives and household servants. Today we buy packaged tofu at the supermarkets. Among Japanese and vegetarians, tofu steak is very popular. It’s becoming a trendy food. You can buy seasoned tofu steak package at many stores. But most Japanese people prefer to make it from scratch.

Here’s how to make tofu steak.

a) How to prepare tofu:

1. extra-firm tofu (if you can get it)
2. pour out water from container
3. slice the pieces horizontally
4. sautee for 2 minutes each side with butter or cooking oil and pour your favorite sauce over it

b) How to prepare sauce:

American Sauce
1. 4 tbs ketchup
2. 2 tbs mayonnaise
3. 2 tsp mustard

Teriyaki Sauce
1. 5 tbs soy sauce
2. 2 tbs Sake or white wine
3. 4 tbs suagar

In a bowl, mix all ingredients. Pour the mix in the pan over presauteed tofu steak. Cook together for 1 minute.

Either American or Teriyaki sauce, it depends on your taste. It is up to you. It’s easy, fast and economical. It’s a fast and filling main course. Try it. You will like it!