This spinoff starts all the way back in season 1, when Ashito was in Esperion's B team.
​
That night, Taira looks at his father's 4 unread messages on his phone. He hears shuffling sounds from further down the hallway and odd whispers. Taira goes down to check it out, only to catch Akiyama and Matsunaga scavenging through the fridge - Akiyama holding a large daikon. The two of them planning to down random raw ingredients. Taira quickly restrains the two of them in ropes, both pleading for mercy from the dorm mother. They can't help with their late-night hunger sometimes, Matsunaga's been having trouble maintaining his large physique, slipping through the ropes with ease somehow. Taira thinks about it for a second, quickly dishing up some nabeyaki udon for them. Akiyama compliments Taira for his cooking, Taira says he's a natural at picking up recipes and ingredients, but there's also nothing to compete with. Taira looks back to see Matsunaga crying over his food. The food had reminded him of a sincere memory of his mother, thanking Taira for the treat. Matsunaga going from his local club to living in Esperion's dorm aiming to go pro with no other thoughts has had its toll on him.
Taira meets with Esperion's dorm mother Kiko Ooba (imagine a 36 year old Hana with short hair), returning to the dorms with ingredients he bought to replace the ones he used last night. Instead of punishing the offenders (like she usually does with Yoshitsune), she asks Taira to continue feeding the boys. Cooking Egusi soup for Osieck, some Japanese dishes for Sugawara and Numatasu, Taira spends every midnight cooking for the Esperion boys.
Esperion v. Seikyou had concluded and the A team promotions have come through, Taira is one of them. Taira does not take this news well, hiding in the dorm kitchen. He hears a noise, thinking it's Kiko but it's actually Kuribayashi. Taira offers to make Kuribayashi some food as well, but Kuribayashi tells Taira to sit down, he'll do something for him instead.
​
Chapter releases 20th May, Monday 0:00 JST. 2nd part releases in either June or July. Join the Ao_Ashi discord here<---

Has anyone ever had this and know of the recipe? It’s made with regular cabbage and on the sweeter side with carrots. I’ve searched everywhere and can’t seem to find the recipe or anything even close!

Making this post because I had a less-than resouceful friend buy herself the boneless, skinless chicken thighs for way more than she should’ve. These tips also work for different cuts of chicken with skin and bones (though with drumsticks I usually just cook them in soup as-is).
Yes, the ones with skin on and bones included are cheaper by weight than the alternative, but if you’ve been just throwing the skin and bones away, stop! I have some budget friendly tips for you.
1) Collect the skin and bones and put them in separate gallon-sized freezer bags. You will be adding to them as you get more chicken. For the skin, keep adding chicken skins and fat to them. For the bag with the bones, you will also want to add veggie scraps such as the skins of onions, garlic, carrots, ginger, and celery. There are others you can add, but if you aren’t familiar with cooking times and qualities of vegetables yet, I’d try to just stick with those. Again, it’s better to use organic veggies or ones sourced from someone you know uses less pesticides when growing as you’re using the skins for this.
2) when you have a good amount of skins(like 3/4lbs or more), make shmaltz (rendered chicken fat). It’s basically the Jewish alternative to lard and tallow. It’s healthier than most cooking oils aside from avocado, olive, and coconut. It has a high smoke point so you can use it to fry, roast, bake, or whatever it is you do with your cooking oils. Because it is animal based, the chemical structure is easier to digest. You might want to steer clear if you have heart problems, though. I used a recipe from Serious Eats which goes like this:

• heat up a saucepan with about a cup of water over medium high heat and put in the chicken skins + fat, stirring occasionally until it starts to boil.
  
• turn heat down to medium low and continue to stir occasionally until the chicken bits start to turn brown and crispy and the water is evaporated (about 50 minutes). Some people like to add chopped onions around the end for extra flavor.
  
• filter with a sieve/muslin cloth over a heatproof container. If left in an airtight container in the fridge, sources say you can store from a week until a few months, depending on how secure and refined your shmaltz is after rendering. If you want, you can also snack on the chicken bits as a crispy snack!
  

3) When you eventually collect enough bones and scraps to fill the ziplock bag, you can make bone broth (or stock, for the anti-hippies). I sometimes add pork bones if I get any with my meat. I make mine in an instant pot so I’m going to use that recipe.

• Dump contents of stock bag into instant pot and cover with water (filtered is best). You can also add aromatics like bay leaf and peppercorns in, though some people like to drink it like a tea, so you could omit.
  
• Set to high pressure for 1.5 hours. Natural release (just don’t touch it til the pressure indicator falls down).
  
• Filter with a sieve to a separate container and not your sink! You can freeze portions for later. Salt to taste.
  

Bone broth(stock) is really good for your bones and adds a really nice flavor to whatever you use it for. Consider using it instead of store-bought stock or Better than Bouillon. You can use it for a healthy egg-drop soup. Supposedly some people use it in smoothies, but personally that’s not for me!
I like to get the crunchier packs of chicken when I can afford to (think free-range, organic, locally sourced), and if you have the means to, you should too since you can utilize all parts of the cut.

Does anybody know any recipes for sum soup or any foods that are good blended down, for the past 2 weeks I’ve been craving sum type of real food and it is itching me and really starting to get to me, I’ve been eating (or drinking) smoothies, all different type of milkshakes and at this point I still have 10 weeks with my jaw wired shut and I just want to eat some type of real food even if it’s blended I just want it to be good, please help me Reddit yur boi is suffering, I ate

So there I am, The Desi Playboy, back in my scrawny college days, just a couple of lean dudes fresh off a bar-hopping spree, chilling at the bus stop. Out of nowhere, this hulk of a caucasoid frat bro comes up, gives me a slap on the back that damn near sends me flying into next Tuesday. "Owww!!" I couldn't help but yelp. Dude struts past us, throwing over his shoulder, "Time to hit the gym, boys!!" I brushed it off, ego slightly bruised. After all, I'm the guy who’s been repping out with 20 lb dumbbells in my apartment gym like I’m training for the Olympics. That’s got to count for something, right?
Growing up, our idea of exercise was running away from aunties at family gatherings or maybe the occasional cricket match that was more about snacks than sports. The gym? That was uncharted territory. Our parents, bless their hearts, equated physical fitness with being able to sprint for the bus without wheezing. The notion of lifting weights, tracking macros, and chugging protein shakes was as alien to them as ketchup on biryani.

Attraction: It’s More than Just Physical

Have you ever had a girl flirtatiously squeeze your biceps, reinforcing the stud that you are? How about playfully slapping your ass when you’re not looking? That moment, my man, is raw, primal attraction at its finest—a kind of magnetism most men sadly never get to feel. Are you getting that type of attention from the ladies? Going to the gym and lifting weights is the first step into becoming that fuckable specimen. Picture this: you're strutting around, radiating confidence, and women gravitate to you, captivated, before you even utter a word. Arguably, muscles on a man is the equivalent of nice tits and ass on a woman. It's like you've got this invisible force field of allure, and all it took was a little sweat, discipline, and iron at the gym.
Think about it. In a world where first impressions are made in the blink of an eye, your body speaks volumes before you've even had a chance to dazzle with your wit or charm. It's not superficial; it's literally science. Physical fitness signals health, vigor, and, let's be real, the ability to handle business, whether that's lifting heavy things during a move or just looking damn good in a fitted shirt. An unfortunate reality is that women often manipulate men to get their needs met. However, men can simply manipulate the environment themselves to get their needs met. You think your crush is opening those pickle jars by herself? A nice, jacked body signals to women that you are good at manipulating your immediate physical surroundings.
So, if you're lounging on the fence, wondering whether hitting the gym is worth it, let me spell it out for you: Hell yes, it is. Not for the fleeting attention or the shallow compliments, but for the undeniable boost in how you perceive yourself and, subsequently, how the world sees you including women. It's about becoming a magnet not just for looks, but for respect, confidence, and yes, a whole lot of that good old-fashioned primal attraction.
Get ready to be the guy who walks into a room and commands it, not because you demand it, but because you've earned it, one rep at a time. Let's ditch the excuses, embrace the grind, and transform not just our bodies, but our entire damn aura. The iron calls, gentlemen.

Built Different

Our Desi genes serve us a mixed platter when it comes to body types. Some of us are fat fucks, while others are fragile twigs no matter how many samosas we demolish. For those of you guys on the overweight side.. Do you have Ananth Ambani money? No? Then you literally can’t afford that body if you want pussy. And if you can afford that body it is gonna bite you in the ass when you have heart disease.
Those of you scrawny sticks? Stop looking down at the more muscular bros and start looking at the women they’re pulling. Don’t get me started on that weird gray area a lot of us brown dudes fall into. I’m talking about the skinny fat phenomenon—a term as oxymoronic as 'jumbo shrimp'. It’s that peculiar body type where you look slim clothed but are a marshmallow in disguise. It’s the bane of many a Desi dude, a sneaky reminder of all those laddoos and no leg days. Ready to get rid of the bitch tits?
Look around at the next family gathering. Notice how cousin Rohan is built like a tank, but you got that uncle bod? That’s your first clue that genetics play a bigger role in this game than you might’ve thought. Tailoring your workout to your body type isn’t just smart; it’s crucial if you want to see real, lasting results.
Custom Cuts: Here’s the deal—

• Ectomorph Bros (The Lean Machines): You’re the guy who can inhale a whole pizza and not gain an ounce. Your mission? Focus on strength training to build mass and incorporate calorie-dense foods to support growth. Less cardio, more lifting.
• Endomorph Gang (The Easy Gainers): You look at a donut, and it goes straight to your hips. Your path? A mix of cardio and strength training to shed fat while building lean muscle. And yeah, keeping an eye on those calories is key.
• Mesomorph Legends (The Natural Athletes): You’ve got the best of both worlds but don’t get cocky. Balance is your best friend—equal parts strength, cardio, and a diet that fuels both muscle building and fat loss.

Alright, which of these body types are you rocking? Lean Machine, Easy Gainer, or Natural Athlete? Time to design a workout routine that suits your unique build. Yes, The Desi Playboy is dishing out homework, but trust me, it’s for a mighty good cause: to make you irresistible to the ladies. Now before we actually start integrating that workout routine let’s not forget to revisit the food on our plate.

Desi Diet Doom

The Desi diet is a freakin’ carb fest—a glorious, tasty trap that’s basically a middle finger to your muscle gains and fat loss goals. You probably recognize the following: plates piled high with rice, naan, and rotis, with a side of “Are you even eating enough?” from every relative. Navigating this when you’re trying to get ripped or ditch the belly fat is like being on a diet in a candy store.
Every meal’s a carb carnival, and while you love it, your body’s begging like, “Bro, where’s the protein?” It's like trying to build a house with all bricks and no cement. And oh, the ghee and oil. Delicious? Hell yeah. Conducive to abs? Hell no. It’s like slathering your goals with butter—tasty but terribly counterproductive. Add to that the mountain of sweets at every family function—those jalebis and gulab jamuns are seductive, but they’re saboteurs hiding in plain sight, wrecking your waistline one sweet bite at a time. If you’re gunning for that sculpted look, it might be time to negotiate a peace treaty with your sweet tooth and get serious about sneaking more lean meats and greens onto your plate.
Now let’s be honest, are you cooking all these Indian meals yourself? Or have you become completely dependent on your mom’s cooking? Is the extent of your cooking skills limited to boiling water and maybe, on a good day, making a mean cup of chai? Let me guess you top off the chai with some of Amma’s sweet sweet titty milk too? Listen up, because here’s the deal breaker—women are attracted to guys who’ve got their life sorted, including what’s on their plate. And if you’re letting mom choose whether it’s dal or paneer for dinner tonight, don’t be surprised if she’s also the one choosing your bride.
This, my dudes, is precisely why I’m all about preaching the gospel of DIY in the kitchen. It’s more than just about mixing spices; it’s about mixing independence into your life recipe. Grabbing the reins of your culinary journey isn’t just about impressing dates; it’s about fueling your body right, especially if you’re looking to bulk up and carve out those gains.

Protein Power Moves

There’s a way to keep the flavors of home without turning into a samosa yourself. It’s about being smart with your choices, making swaps, and still being able to face your grandma without guilt.
Lean and Mean: Start mixing in more lean meats, tofu, and legumes. Think chicken tikka, dal tadka with less tadka, and grilled paneer. Your muscles will thank you. But why stop there? Venture beyond with dishes like Thai grilled chicken or Turkish lentil soup. These global cuisines offer high-protein dishes that still dance on the tongue.
Smart Swaps: Ditch the white rice for quinoa or brown rice. Swap some of those rotis for a big-ass bowl of salad. Sprinkle some Mediterranean zest with a Greek salad, or bring a burst of Japanese flavor with a side of edamame. It’s about keeping the essence of Desi cuisine but making it work for your gains.
Supplement Smartly: Yeah, protein shakes might look like drugs to your folks, but they’re your BFFs on this journey. Mix that stuff with some milk or water, and chug. Think of it as a cheat code for muscle building—quick, efficient, and straight to the point.
Explore and Expand: Don’t be shy to sprinkle some culinary curiosity into your diet. Try Korean BBQ for a protein-packed meal, or if you're feeling adventurous, a Peruvian ceviche can offer a refreshing twist packed with high-quality protein. These flavors not only enhance your palate but also fuel your fitness goals.
So, there you have it. Turning the Desi diet dilemma into a muscle-building manifesto doesn’t have to be a soap opera. Keep the flavors, ditch the excess carbs and fats, and for the love of all that is holy, make protein your main homie. Expand your culinary horizons to keep your meals exciting and your body guessing.

From Diet to Dates

Alright, my fellow Desi bros, let’s wrap this up. If you’re serious about leveling up your game with the ladies, it’s time to get real about your diet, fitness, and lifestyle. Tailor your workout to your body type—whether you're an ectomorph, endomorph, or mesomorph—and make the gym your second home. Ditch the carb-loaded Desi diet for protein-packed meals. Whether you’re eating lean meats or are a vegetarian, make smart swaps like quinoa for white rice and grilled paneer for fried snacks.
Start cooking for yourself to fuel those gains and show you’ve got your life together. These changes lay the foundation for attracting women by boosting your confidence and health. The journey starts now. Let’s make those gains and turn some heads. The iron awaits, gentlemen.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive into lifting and integrating your workout routine to get you on track.
Check out the full article here: https://open.substack.com/pub/desiplayboy/p/iron-and-spices?r=k8bgi&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
For more such insights and to continue the conversation, follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheDesiPlayboy.

Pork satay stir fry served over sauteed cabbage. I just use the bagged cabbage slaw near the salad. Makes it super easy.
Always make at least double the sauce. We use this all the time: https://www.recipetineats.com/satay-peanut-sauce-for-stir-fries/#wprm-recipe-container-27703
https://www.recipetineats.com/satay-peanut-stir-fry/#wprm-recipe-container-22366
Never hurys to have coconut milk on hand. The recipe may not call for it but I always add some.

I know it's simple but I am addicted for sick days and rainy nights. Anybody know somewhere with similar soup or how to make it? l There's countless recipes out there...it seems there's a million and one versions
It's something about their recipe!

Please list your recipes! And no. You cannot over-do it. By the way, have any of you tried boars head onion jack cheese? Not enough onion but delicious nonetheless. 😋

It will be a short one today. Another day of eating healthy and another day of taking a walk. I consciously chose not to eat a cannoli from work. I consciously chose not to take in so many carbs from sources like potato slop or salad. I ate part of an apple and a banana when I wanted a cannoli. I ate carrots or my tacos when I could have eaten potato salad. I'm trying to find substitutes for all the things that I like that aren't there to be good for me. I bought a galumpki (stuffed cabbage) for dinner and got broccoli thinking I could roast it as well. Veggies for dinner with some protein. I don't want to fall into the way of eating bland foods down the road when subbing for the good stuff. One way to get over that hurdle I thought would be the peppers I pickle if the hot sauces I love. It adds flavor without usually adding too much in terms of calories. I need to research recipes and write down my ideas. Time to find that spiral notebook I bought.
I think my biggest hurdle is time. There never feels like enough of it. Enough to do the things I want to do and to do the things that are good for me. This week I signed up to do a Pokémon prerelease event which I'm excited for. I took off a day of work but managing all that time feels like a burden. I don't know how people do it so well. Do they set perfect sleeping schedules and when to do what? I've always kind of just done things on a whim. I need to change. I have to change. I want to be better and I know I can be. I want to still have fun with life but what sacrifices have to be made for that. I want my health to be better. I want to love myself. If only we could all become the Flash, then maybe this thing called life could be a touch easier for us all :P
I end today with a lot of questions. In the past I would have thought that was maybe a negative thing. Right now it feels more like a challenge to myself that I need to solve and that I can solve. I'm frightened but excited. Tomorrow will be new. Tomorrow could give answers. I sign off my little conjurers of the leaping toads and croaking frogs. I hope all is swell.

It will be a short one today. Another day of eating healthy and another day of taking a walk. I consciously chose not to eat a cannoli from work. I consciously chose not to take in so many carbs from sources like potato slop or salad. I ate part of an apple and a banana when I wanted a cannoli. I ate carrots or my tacos when I could have eaten potato salad. I'm trying to find substitutes for all the things that I like that aren't there to be good for me. I bought a galumpki (stuffed cabbage) for dinner and got broccoli thinking I could roast it as well. Veggies for dinner with some protein. I don't want to fall into the way of eating bland foods down the road when subbing for the good stuff. One way to get over that hurdle I thought would be the peppers I pickle if the hot sauces I love. It adds flavor without usually adding too much in terms of calories. I need to research recipes and write down my ideas. Time to find that spiral notebook I bought.
I think my biggest hurdle is time. There never feels like enough of it. Enough to do the things I want to do and to do the things that are good for me. This week I signed up to do a Pokémon prerelease event which I'm excited for. I took off a day of work but managing all that time feels like a burden. I don't know how people do it so well. Do they set perfect sleeping schedules and when to do what? I've always kind of just done things on a whim. I need to change. I have to change. I want to be better and I know I can be. I want to still have fun with life but what sacrifices have to be made for that. I want my health to be better. I want to love myself. If only we could all become the Flash, then maybe this thing called life could be a touch easier for us all :P
I end today with a lot of questions. In the past I would have thought that was maybe a negative thing. Right now it feels more like a challenge to myself that I need to solve and that I can solve. I'm frightened but excited. Tomorrow will be new. Tomorrow could give answers. I sign off my little conjurers of the leaping toads and croaking frogs. I hope all is swell.

My favorite take out foods are Pad Thai, mussels, and tikka masala. About a year ago, a friend told me how easy Pad thai was and I didn't believe them until I saw a Halfbakedharvest recipe and it was super simple and tasted amazing! That built up my confidence to try and make white wine garlic mussels and I was blown away by how simple and delicious they were so the next week I tried chorizo mussels. Since then, I've conquered various desserts like lemon loaf, worlds vest chocolate chip cookies, brookies, various blondies, etc. My confidence has grown with each recipe. I even made thai mushroom soup! I made olive gardens Tuscan kale soup.... and this last week I finally mastered tikka masala on the first try. I was certain the first one would be a practice run but it was perfection! The homemade naan wasn't great but bread sucks anyway. Cooking has become my favorite hobby and it's so fun to see something and simply make it. My lebanese father in law is going to be so happy when he tastes the homemade baklava I made last night!!!

This week I want to share some recommended foods to eat and avoid for people who are having the issue of frequent urination (频尿), especially at night.
Normally if you need to wake up from sleep and urinate for more than 1 time at night, then it is considered as frequent urination.
This happens because as we age, our kidney qi weakens and loses its fluid-holding strength (固摄功能). As the kidney and bladder are closely related in TCM perspective （肾与膀胱相表里）, it, therefore, results in frequent urination.
The following are some foods you can eat to improve the organ's 固摄功能 (fluid-holding strength):
1. Lotus seeds (莲子) - One of the properties lotus seeds have is strengthening the fluid-holding function in the Kidneys. Nowadays there are ready-to-eat snacks (lotus seeds) that you can buy and eat anytime. Else, you can add some (dried) lotus seeds into any soup for your meals.
2. Gordon Enryale Seed (芡实) - One of the recorded properties of the Gordon Enryale seed is that it can help to reduce urination frequency. You can buy the dried version and soak it for about 20 minutes then add it to your rice and cook together. It is a type of grain that can boost your daily fibre intake for healthy intestinal health too.
3. Si Shen soup (四神汤) - The above two foods are part of the four ingredients for Si Shen soup. Thus, drinking Si Shen soup can also help to reduce frequent urination at night. Do check out my previous posts on details on preparing Si Shen soup.
Another factor to consider is to reduce (or avoid) the following foods especially at night as they all have 利尿 (increased urination frequency) properties : Chinese barley, winter melon, green beans, red beans, Soy beans, corn, and most porridge (unless your porridge is 100% mixed grains, no white rice)
Hope this information helps someone out there!
P.S. If this issue is bothering you a lot, then consider visiting a Chinese physician. There are a few very effective Chinese formulae that have good results in helping frequent urination.
Additional note regarding Si Shen Soup: When cooking Si Shen soup, some people like to add Chinese barley. if you have frequent urination issues, then please avoid adding Chinese barley because it can worsen the issue. The original recipe of Si Shen soup actually does not have Chinese barley.

I have a ton of roasted dried gim that recently "expired" and was wondering if there were any recipes that uses it as the primary ingredient in a soup (kind of like miyukguk?). I tried to put it in some broth with a little soy sauce and it wasn't great and kind of overpowering but I feel like with the right ingredients it could actually be good? I'm just not the best at figuring how to make it better. Thanks!

Ya'at'eeh! I could use some help. Its been a long while since I've been this sick, and while I have a great number of my family recipes we don't really have sick ones? If anyone is open to share I would appreciate it a lot. Bonus points for me if anyone can help me find something specific. My grandmother used to make a sage soup with a lot of fall produce in it. I remember potatoes, safe, and corn. I've never been able to recreate it, and that recipe was never passed down. Ahéhee' for any replies 💜

My 6 year old has discovered a love of Okra since she was 4, which has led to more and more plants. 2 years ago I had 2 plants, last year I had 6 plants, this year we're closer to 12. Knowing that last year I got 1-2 pounds per week during peak harvesting seasons, I'm looking for ideas for Okra to introduce her to more flavors.
So far I know fried okra (we have both done air fryer, oven baked and fried in an oil frier), this is by far the one we do the most often.
I don't have a gumbo recipe yet, but if anyone wants to share one you think would be good for a 6yo palate, I'm happy to try it!
Ideas I've come across so far:

• Fridge pickles
  
• Greek Okra Stew
  
• Persian Okra Stew
  
• Pinakbet/Filipino (though without the bitter melon)
  
• Bhindi Masala/Indian
  
• Caruru/Brazilian
  
• Nigerian Okra Soup
  

Is there something else I'm missing? Also I'm not tied to any one recipe, this is trying to get a huge variety to give her different world tastes to a veggie she loves. I'm happy to take suggestions and hope this summer will be... fruitful!