Recipes – Mr. Tako Escapes

5 Years Of Freedom

October 25, 2020October 26, 2020 Mr. Tako 39 Comments

While I’m not normally a nostalgic person, October marked something of a major milestone in the life of Mr. Tako. This was my fifth year of freedom from the corporate world!

Although my blog was started back in December of 2015, my last day of work at a “corporate” job was September 30th, 2015. It took me a few months of unemployment before I finally decided to start writing the blog you see here today.

It’s been an interesting 5-year journey to say the least. Filled with all the ups and downs, and strange fluids you might expect from raising two kids…

Food Recipes

Garlic Butter Yaki Udon

March 8, 2020March 8, 2020 Mr. Tako 8 Comments

When it comes to Japanese cuisine, most people are pretty familiar with what you can find in restaurants — Sushi, ramen, tempura, miso soup, and perhaps (if you’re really adventurous) sukiyaki.

It’s too bad, because many delicious Japanese dishes just aren’t very popular here in the States. Udon in particular gets very little love. Maybe it’s the wide chewy noodles that turn people off…

Food Recipes Uncategorized

Izakaya Cucumbers

December 11, 2019December 11, 2019 Mr. Tako 16 Comments

If I had to pick my favorite kind of restaurant on this planet, I would probably pick an Izakaya. Not the smoky drinking-dens of yesteryear, but the newer and more vibrant version that serves delicious food at reasonable prices.

Izakaya’s are a form of Japanese restaurant that serve up small plates of delicious food to be shared. In addition to the food, they serve also alcohol and other drinks to patrons in need of refreshment…

Food Recipes Uncategorized

The Impossible Food Budget

September 14, 2019September 14, 2019 Mr. Tako 13 Comments

Have you tried a “Impossible Burger” yet? It’s a burger made from a new plant-based meat substitute that’s been taking the world by storm this year. The ingredients are mostly soy and potato proteins. Apparently there’s over 9,000 restaurants in the U.S. that now serve some form of the “Impossible Burger”. Pretty neat, right?

Plant based meat substitutes have been the stuff of science fiction for years…

Food Kids Recipes Uncategorized

How To Make Japanese-style Mabo Tofu

April 17, 2019April 17, 2019 Mr. Tako 25 Comments

When it comes to cooking meals at home, absolutely no-one wants to cook a separate meal for the kids and a separate meal for adults. Yet adults often prefer bolder, spicier flavors with more exotic ingredients. Kids tend to enjoy simpler fare — carb heavy dishes with much milder flavors. At least my kids do — pizza, spaghetti, macaroni & cheese, sandwiches and so on.

It definitely puts smiles on their little faces, but I can only eat so much of it before I’m craving something more exciting…

Food Recipes Saving

The Cucumber Soup Solution

November 21, 2018November 24, 2018 Mr. Tako 20 Comments

As the author of a blog, I get a lot of feedback about our lifestyle. Some people say terrible things, but the vast majority of commenters are kind, well-adjusted humans that don’t mind taking a peek into the life of a family that lives a little differently…

Food Recipes Saving

Roasting Your Own Salsa – For Big Savings

July 28, 2018July 28, 2018 Mr. Tako 25 Comments

It’s been several years since I first posted my roasted salsa recipe, but what’s worth doing once is worth doing again. Especially when it saves money!

For the next five days I’m going to be completely offline — The Tako family is going camping in the mountains without access to the internet. So, I won’t be posting to Mr. Tako Escapes on my regular schedule …

Food Recipes Saving

Staying Cool By Getting Flat

July 18, 2018July 18, 2018 Mr. Tako 11 Comments

It’s summer and the weather is HOT. The Pacific Northwest has been setting record temperatures for the last couple of days, with highs in the low 90’s Fahrenheit (roughly 32C).

After a long hot commute home from work and school, I can imagine most families don’t feel like firing up a stove or oven to make dinner. I frequently see my friends and neighbors hopping into their air conditioned lazy-mobile and driving to a nice air conditioned eatery of their choice…

Food Recipes Saving Uncategorized

Dressing For Success: The Easy Way To Millions

May 23, 2018July 9, 2018 Mr. Tako 40 Comments

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a food post here at Mr. Tako Escapes, but that doesn’t mean food isn’t ultra-important here at Chez Tako! Behind the scenes I’m making delicious meals on a budget that hovers around $500/month for four people.

I’m still a big believer in controlling the way we purchase, prepare, and consume food. It’s an important way to build wealth…

← Previous