Usually I write about Inspirational Movies or Books I have read, however I also really enjoy watching japanese animation, so I thought I might do a little list of my favourite ‘Princess’ themed anime. I hope you will enjoy these, and perhaps suggest some that you have liked yourself!

Nishi no Yoki Majo (Good Witch of the West)
A visually stunning fairytale themed series. Despite the title, it is not about a Witch but a young woman named Firiel Dee who lives in the country with her adopted family not too far from her reclusive father, studying in his tower. When Firiel turns fifteen she is allowed to go to a ball celebrating the Queen’s birthday, there she meets Adale a Queen Candidate and discover’s that she too is a Princess. The series features a magical world with grand balls, beautiful palaces, unicorn mounts, mysterious magics and dashing young lords. It’s a very under-rated series but I found it utterly enchanting.

Princess Tutu
An unique ballet-themed series about a girl named Ahiru who is really a duck, whenever she says ‘Quack!’ she returns to her duck form and is only human again when she comes in contact with water. Her third alter-ego is Princess Tutu, a girl with magical powers who can dance perfect ballet. Ahiru herself attends a Ballet school and the story is an interesting mix of various storylines from classical ballet, the music score is beautiful.

Princess Sarah
Based on the classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Princess Sarah was released in 1985 as a part of the World Masterpiece Theater. The anime extends the story of Sara Crewe, giving her some new friends and characters, however apart from that it stays very close to the original book and the animation style is sweet and simple. Sara’s thoughtful, eccentric personality is well portrayed, though with a touch more japanese modesty.

Rose of Versailles
My favourite Anime of all time. Set in 18th century France before and during the revolution, it is the story of Oscar de Jarjeyes, a girl born in to a noble family and raised as a man because her father had wanted a son. She eventually joins the Queen’s Guard and become’s involved in Marie Antoinette’s circle. The series covers many of the events leading up to the revolution including the Diamond Necklace Affair and is a must see for any other Marie Antoinette fans! Sword fighting, balls, beautiful gowns and a story that makes me cry each time I watch it.

Puchi Puri Yushii (Petite Princess Yucie)
This is a cute little anime based off a game called ‘Princess Maker,’ and it is the story of a 17 year old girl trapped in a 10 year old’s body. She discovers that to break the curse she must win something called the Eternal Tiara, for which she becomes a Platinum Princess Candidate and is accepted to an elite girl’s school. The story is humorous and bittersweet, soon Yucie is joined by the Princesses of other world, Kokoru from the Spirit World, Glenda from the Demon World, Elmina from Heaven and Beth of the Fairy World. Together they face a series of tasks to determine the Platinum Princess, but they all discover that there are more important uses for the Tiara and must let go of their own desires to help those they love. Very touching and sweet.

Another japanese recipe tonight, one of my favourites too! Yakisoba is a type of japanese stirfry with noodles, which despite the name are usually egg noodles not the buckwheat noodles called soba. There are many ways to prepare this dish, but I like mine with lot of cabbage and a little bit of chicken or beef for flavour. If you want to make a vegetarian version of this recipe, just omit the meat or replace it with squares of firm tofu.

You can also buy premade Yakisoba sauce at some asian supermarkets, but I like to make my own because I love Katsu sauce and tend to add more in. This recipe makes two serves, I like to take the second serve for lunch the next day.

Ingredients
1 packet of Yakisoba or Singapore style egg noodles
1 chicken breast - or - 1 small lean beef steak
1 quarter of a green cabbage
2 carrots
2 Spring onions
Soy sauce, Mirin, Sesame Oil, Cooking Oil and Tonkatsu Sauce

Freeze the meat the night before, and then let it defrost halfway in the fridge during the day. It needs to be about half frozen so that you can cut it in thin strips. Use a sharp cooks knife that has been run under hot water and cut the steak or breast in to thin slivers along the grain. Marinate the meat in a bowl with a dash of soy, mirin and a few drops of sesame oil while you prepare the other ingredients.

Peel the outermost layer off the spring onions, remove the roots and tops and slice the middle section in to wide diagonal pieces. Peel the carrots and julienne them in to little matchsticks. Shred the cabbage and set all vegetables aside.

Remove the egg noodles from their packet and place them in a colander. Pour hot or boiling water over them until they loosen easily with a fork and then leave to drain.

Make the sauce in a small bowl by combining 2 1/2 tablespoons of Soy Sauce, 1 tablespoon of Mirin and enough Katsu sauce to give it a syrupy thickness and suit your taste.

Heat a wok or large fry pan and add a little cooking oil and sesame oil until the base has a thin coating. Brown the meat, stirring quickly so as not to dry it out. The thin slices should cook very quickly. Add the carrots and spring onions, stir fry briefly and then add half the cabbage. When the cabbage is beginning to wilt add the other half and when that is also wilting add the noodles. Stir fry and combine noodles with other ingredients. Pour in the sauce and mix together. Turn the heat down and allow to sit for a couple of minutes stirring occaisionally.

Serve hot with slices of raw spring onions to garnish.