I know where I'll be on Saturday. What about you? Bakesale for Japan is the perfect excuse to indulge in some of the tastiest home-baked goodies while contributing to a much-needed cause. Even if you don't have a sweet tooth, stop on by, say hello and grab some confections for your friends and neighbors. I guarantee it will be a winning start to the weekend!
This has been quite the Hawaiian themed week at Food Fashionista. First, it was Spam Musubi, then Shaved Ice, and today one of the kings of Hawaiian fusion cuisine…Roy Yamaguchi. I've dined at Roy's original location on Oahu many times and recently attended a media tasting introducing Roy's L.A. Ohana Tour. Through August 31, 2010, guests of Roy's are invited to visit three of his Southern California Roy’s restaurants to receive dining rewards and be entered to win an all-inclusive trip to Hawaii, where guests will enjoy a personal dinner with founding chef Roy Yamaguchi.
Grilled Albacore Flatbread
Yellow Fin Ahi Poke w/Wasabi Aioli, Avocado, Tobiko Caviar
Roy's L.A. Ohana Tour Includes:
Southern California Locations (participating in the L.A. Ohana Tour)
Roy’s – Newport Beach 453 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660 (949) 640-7697
Roy’s – Anaheim 321 West Katella Avenue Anaheim, CA 92802 (714) 776-7697
Roy’s – Pasadena 641 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101 (626) 356-4066
Roy’s – Los Angeles 800 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90017 (213) 488-4994
Roy’s – Woodland Hills 6363 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 91367 (818) 888-4801
For more info, visit Roy’s website at www.roysrestaurant.com
Just because it feels a whole lot like Summer in San Francisco today…
It's officially Summer and along with warm weather comes the need for cool desserts. One of my favorites is Shaved Ice – a smooth, fluffy-textured ice shaving treat from a large block of ice, combiined with a myriad of toppings. I prefer mine with condensed milk, azuki beans, fresh fruits, and a scoop of vanilla or green tea ice cream.
Shaved Ice is a popular dessert in Hawaii, Japan, and other Asian countries. If you live in Los Angeles, there is a Shaved Ice Truck that you can follow via Twitter @getshaved
The Shaved Ice pictured above is from Haus dessert boutique in Los Angeles' Korea town. Although it looks quite enormous, the ice shavings are so light and refreshing, that it's a sweet course that you can without doubt polish off on your own.
For those of you in San Francisco, check out the shaved ice at Katana-Ya .
I'm not one for processed or mystery meat, but with a Japanese background and family in Hawaii, Spam was definitely a part of family gatherings growing up. I used to spend a lot of time in Hawaii, and along with Leonard's Malasadas and Matsumoto Shaved Ice, a Spam Musubi was part of the culinary check off list.
In recent times, I don't remember the last time I ate Spam, but at a family gathering in Northern California, my cousin Annie, knowing I'm obsessed with all things cookery and gadgety, busted out a Spam slicer to amuse me. The packaging was appropriately generic and the item resembled an egg slicer, but only in Spam form.
Spam Musubi
Spam musubi is a common and popular snack in Hawaii combining a teriyaki glazed slice of grilled spam atop a shaped chunky block of rice with seaweed wrapping. You can readily find it at casual convenience stores in Hawaii like ABC and 7-Eleven. Hawaiian families also commonly prepare it as a snack or party food.
If you are in the market for your own Spam slicer, purchase one on Ebay here…but hurry, they're going faster than a loco moco at Zippy's. Now if I could only find a slicer for the Spam in my inbox.
SAM CHOY'S SPICY TUNA POKE SANDWICH RECIPE
In a mixing bowl, combine ahi, onion, green onion, and crabmeat with shoyu and sesame oil. Fold in mayonnaise and mix until combined well. Chill mixture until ready to use.
To serve, place pike mixture in taro roll topped with micro greens of your choice.
INGREDIENTS:
2 LBS ahi diced
1/2 CUP onion, minced
1 1/2 CUPS Best Foods mayonnaise
Sesame oil, to taste
Soy Sauce, to taste
1 BOTTLE shichimi pepper, to taste
Sambai, to taste
1 CUP crab meat
1/2 CUP green onion, chopped
Ani's Bakery taro rolls
