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Hachimangu Shrine, Omiya Tokyo Japan

Tastes of the Pacific

March 3, 2012

 

Arancini with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese
Yes, it’s Mediterranean cuisine, but we ate it at Zin in Healdsburg, California.

Miso-glazed Tofu on Pineapple Spears with Peanut Sauce
We had several wonderful versions of tofu at Tofuya, the restaurant at the base of Tokyo Tower.  We couldn’t figure out how to reproduce their silken peanut tofu, so we came up with this Thai – Hawaiian fusion. .
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Country Captain with Currants and Almonds
Another dish from Zin, in California wine country.  This chicken stew is originally from low country Louisiana, so there’s a taste of the Gulf of Mexico here, too!

Coconut Rice
Bobby Flay’s suggested accompaniment to country captain

Okonomiyaki Osaka Style
David and Emi introduced us to this popular Japanese dish when we visited in November.  Should we describe it as a Japanese pancake?  A Japanese pizza?  You decide!  Ours are filled with shrimp, pickled ginger and Chiang Mai sausage.  Cabbage and bacon are part of the basic recipe.  Served garnished with Kewpie mayonnaise and homemade okonomiyaki sauce.  Additional okonomiyaki sauce is in squirt bottles on each table.

Limoncello Cheesecake
Popping up on menus in both California and Hawaii this year.

Panna Cotta “Cupcakes” with Lilikoi Syrup
Cupcakes are trendy in California, and so is panna cotta. We decided to go with a classic version of the latter,masquerading as the former.  Lilikoi  is the Hawaiiian name for passion fruit.  Our syrup comes straight from Auntie Liliko’i in Waimea Kauai Hawaii.   

Maple Pecan Monkey Bread with Banana Ice Cream
Another dish from Zin in California wine country.  We could slice it, but pulling it apart is more fun.  Bob made the banana ice cream in our new Cuisinart ice cream machine.  Oh, the calories!.
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