Summer time cooking with kids

This is some of the stuff we are making with the kids. The first is my creation the second is a recipie created by the head teacher of the cooking class.

Locally Farm Raised Golden Talapia (Yes they grow and feed them at the school, so no polluted water here), with shoyu brown butter sauce.

Teriyaki style Edamame.

Seattle discoveries

Here is a new French American type of restaurant/cafe. Looks promising its called Luc and its a sister restaurant to Rovers. 

http://www.thechefinthehat.com/luc/

Aku-My New Obsession

Yaki Maki Tamago

This is for my man Josh. Enjoy.

More Fish cleaning

This technique made my head explode the first time I saw it. ;) In a good way

Cleaning Fish

I am cleaning fish so I figured I blog about it. Be careful when doing it. In my opinion medium sized fish are easiest. Small are hard.

1. Use the right knife for the right job.
2. Have a stable work surface.
3. Know what fish you are cleaning.
4. Always cut away from you (rule of thumb).

These are some Places I love to eat at in Seattle

Campagne and Cafe Campagne- of course because I am biased. Campagne's menu has recently shifted to incorporate more Italian type items, but the food is still delicious and the sauces, and certain things on the menu are very French :) (Duck Confit with Duck Frites is an absolute must, anything that says "Braised", and of coarse their PATE which is made in house. Buyah.

Cafe Presse- French Affordable food, get the croque madame and the frites, verts are small salads 

Macrina Bakery- Get the standard bread and heat in oven at 375 for 15 minutes

Sosio's - When I was working at Campagne, we bought produce from this vendor, don't let other things distract you, the fruits are the most magical here, The OMG peaches are out of this world.

Don and Joes Meats -Get Bacon from here, thick cut bacon.

Jones BBQ - St louis style ribs, they actually smoke their ribs rather than just grilling them. Something different.

Upscale, but super nice to go out to.

ZOE- French American, I got to buddies of mine that worked here or are still working there. Solid food, nice portions, and good technique.

Tavolata- Italian, home made pastas, get the Semolina Gnocchi. It's like miniature lasagna but with huge semolina cakes instead of noodles.

Dim Sum- If you are new to dim sum its like Tapas, but chinese. For newbies, get the Char sui hombows (BBQ pork buns) and the sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves, pork shumai and shrimp dumplings are a must, get a side of chinese brocolli with oyster sauce while your at it. 

Waiters are pushy so eat what you feel comfortable. Don't be intimidated to ask questions and say "No thank you." Also if there is some yelling and shouting, or if you get occasionally ignored, that is typical, (as I tell all my newbies to dimsum, "they aren't angry, they are just communicating and trying to feed everyone at the same time."

Top Gun - Seafood Restaurant

If your in downtown Seattle, Jade Garden is good for dim Sum.

More Gnocchi Video - In Italian

I thought this video would add to the previous posts about gnocchi. The best part it is in Italian.
Buon Appetito

Pork Shoulder

10 hours on small webber about 210 degrees.

Basic BBQ Rub and set pork off to the side, not directly under the coals. Used Kiawe wood or Hawaiian Mesquite.

Gnocchi-My own recipie

1           Pound potatoes russets
1/2        Cup flour
1           Egg Yolk (local medium egg)
1           Pinch of Salt

Makes enough for 2-3 people

Directions

1. Bring water to simmer and place whole potatoes inside
2. set timer for about 20-30 minutes
3. Pull Potatoes out, peel off skin while holding it with towel, and Rice potatoes while hot. (if no ricer use a cheese grater or push through strainer using back of spoon).
4. Let potatoes steam and slightly cool, put egg yolk inside and sprinkle on flour like snow on a mountain.
5. Mix till it comes together and wallah! you got gnocchi dough.
6. * hint if dough is too sticky that means you can add a small amount of flour more, a table spoon or so. But don't add a lot of flour! It makes your gnocchi gummy. No bueno! 

Watch videos on gnocchi for the rest or read other parts of the blog labeled gnocchi.

Buon appetito!

Gnocchi With tomato sauce, finished with cheese.

Sage and brown butter Gnocchi

Both on a Plate with Salad :)

Summer BBQ :) with the Family

Here are some ideas for an All American BBQ.(pictures not featured that we had were summer salad, sweet ice tea, corn bread with black berry preserve, layered jello, Ice cream cake and Kiawe (Hawaiian style Mesquite) smoked meat.) 

Grilled Kiawe Rib Eye with Herb Butter

Grilled Ribeye

Herb Butter

Greens (Kale)

St Louis Style Ribs (First roasted in oven then lightly Smoked with apple and Kiawe Wood. I would smoke these all day, but I don't own a big enough smoker. Only a small Webber).

Sandy's Twice Baked Potatoes

Sandy's Mac and Cheese

BBQ

BBQ Rub-Basic

1 cup paprika
little less than half cup of granulated sugar or brown sugar
4 sprigs Fresh thyme
2 tsp fresh Pepper
1 table spoon sea or kosher salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp granulated garlic

Variations
Dash of ginger powder
Clove

Posts Updated

HA!  Hahahhahaahahha.  After procrastinating for a long time, everything has been updated.  Please feel free to check previous posts for embedded videos and stuff!

Spicy Tofu Salad

This is a really good dish. I first had it in  Seattle at a small ramen shop called Samurai Ramen right outside Uwajimaya. My version of it is slighltly different, but the general concept is the same.

Ingredients

Sauce

• 3 table spoons Kochujang sauce (Korean Spicy Miso type of paste). 
• 1 table spoon Seasame seed oil
• 1 table spoon Shoyu (Soy Sauce)
• 1 tables spoon Sugar

Garnish

• Sauted King oyster mushrooms in a little olive oil (They are called Ali'i mushrooms in  Hawaii, Ali'i stands for "King"). 
•  Green Onions 
• Cherry Tomatoes or sweet mini tomatoes

Main Ingredient

•  One block tofu cut in half or into cubes. ( I use locally made tofu in Hawaii, so firmness will depend on preference. I like medium firmness, make sure to drain water). 

Directions

Get tofu and drain water, cube or cut in half. Set aside.
Cute cherry tomatoes into qaurters, and slice green onions.
Mix Sauce together, its okay that its salty because tofu is watery and will balance it out.
Cut mushrooms into pieces and cook with olive oil until meaty texture develops add salt and pepper.

Put together

1. Tofu first
2. Tomatoes
3. Sauce
4. Green Onions
5. Mushrooms Around Plate

Cut or serve and eat :) Look at picture to get better idea of what finished dish should look like.

Risotto

I am kind of new to making risotto because it was only introduced to me two years ago.

What is Risotto? Imagine creamy al dente pasta in rice form. Risotto is a versatile starter or main dish that is exciting and surprisingly simple. There is no real recipe for risotto, just technique. Here is a video by Gordon Ramsey to give you a better idea. I prefer Carnaroli Rice, but Arborio works just as well. Happy eating. :)