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Sometimes I see things in the Asian market, think, "Hey, why not try that?" and buy them. That's how I ended up with a package of jellyfish. Yes, I actually picked up the package, read through the step-by-step prep instructions on the back, and put it in my basket. What the heck, it wasn't expensive, and the worst that could happen was that I might not like it.

For those who know nothing about cooking jellyfish - and I know there must be one or two out there - they are saltwater critters, so you have to get that salt out of it first. That involves soaking it in cold water for three hours, changing the water at half-hour intervals, to diffuse the salt out. Then soak it in hot water for 5 minutes and cool in cold water immediately. Only then it is ready for you to cut and do the final cooking. Quite a lot of prep, isn't that? If you've done it right, it has a Jell-o kind of texture, and has very little flavor of its own.

So... I did all that soaking business, and stir-fried some vegetables (broccoli, snow peas, mushrooms, bamboo, baby corn, bean sprouts, carrots, and squash). Then I tore up some jellyfish and stir-fried it in a bit of soy sauce with fake crab, and finally I served the seafood on top of the vegetables. And... well, shrug. I wasn't impressed, but I had no problem eating it either. I'm not posting a recipe, as I don't really think that this was worth the effort. (Plus, the info above is enough for those who are really determined to make this.)

And with that I have rice, egg-and-shiitake eyes (another "Hi, Mmmbento!"), a buttered cafeteria roll, and some strawberries.

Wanna talk about it?