Sushi in Paradise

Naturally, many places with Pacific beaches take advantage of the abundant seafood and offer countless varieties of fresh fish.  How fresh?  Right off the boat in most cases, and  sometimes even raw.  From Japan’s sushi, to the ceviche enjoyed all along coastal Latin America to poke in Hawaii,  fish often is celebrated in its purest,…

By a Nose

Aroma draws us to a dish, inviting anticipation of the delights just around the corner.  This is particularly true of today’s submission, Panang Beef Curry, as Cook’s Illustrated suggested the preparation in its 2017 collection of recipes. In common with many curries, Thai ones especially, coconut milk is not merely important, it’s central to the…

Take Another Look

At a glance, today’s entry looks to be an omelet, doesn’t it?  No eggs were involved this week, though.  Instead, we have a rice-flour crepe, lightly thin and pan-seared to crispy perfection, barely able to contain all the goodness within its grasp.  This is Bánh Xèo (in English, pronounced “bun sale”), a street food made…

At Last, Competition

Until this weekend, Lamb Tagine filled the kitchen with the most magnificent aroma ever.  It was narcotic.  Suddenly, tough, a new contender appeared yesterday, meaning to take the title all for itself.  Tom Kha Gai (Thai Chicken Coconut Soup) just might do it too, loaded with enough beautiful aromatics to rocket it to the top.…

A Bit South of San Francisco

Late last year this journal brought us northern California’s signature seafood stew, and today we see how the southern hemisphere draws wonderfully from its own bounty.  Specifically, this entry brings moqueca, a creation perfected in northeast Brazil.  Cook’s Illustrated highlighted the recipe in its March/April 2018 issue, providing a splendid excuse to visit South American…

Coconut Experiment #58

This could be the fifty-eighth recipe featuring coconut, though its precedence on these pages is far less established.  Prior to this, there have been fleeting glimpses – one or two (maybe),  but you’re here for the first time an entire entry is devoted to coconut.  Not only that, in cupcakes no less! Of  course, credit where it’s due – the idea…