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Szechuan Cuisine
The cuisine of the Western region of China is well-known for its spiciness, but many Western palates overlook the complex interplay of savory, sour, hot and sweet flavors that underlie the fiery spice of the Szechuan pepper and other spices that give the Szechuan cuisine its characteristic burn. For decades, most of the world was familiar mainly with Cantonese cuisine, and thought of it as ‘Chinese cuisine’. In reality, though, China is an enormous country that encompasses nearly every kind of climate imaginable. The amazing variety of foods, spices and climates have led to many distinct styles of Chinese cuisine. Szechuan cuisine, originating in a steamy, sub-tropical climate, includes smoked, pickled and spiced foods, as well as foods spiced with a heavy hand for both preservation… Read more -
New Zealand Glazed Snapper with Vanilla Saffron
Ingredients: 4 vine-ripened tomatoes 12 baby gourmet potatoes 4 medium fillets of fresh snapper 1 cup fresh arugula For Vanilla Saffron Aioli 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 1/2 teaspoon ground New Zealand or regular saffron 1 vanilla pod or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon fine salt 1 egg yolk 6 oz. grape seed oil For Lemon Caramel 1/2 cup sugar 2 tablespoons water 1/2 teaspoon salt Juice of 1 lemon Directions: Place tomatoes on a tray of rock salt in the oven at 320° F and roast until skins begin to split. Remove from oven and keep warm. Slice potatoes into thin slices and pan fry in olive oil with sea salt till golden and crispy. In a large pan, fry the snapper (sprinkled with sea salt) skin-side-down until golden. Turn the fillets over to finish cooking the fish. To stop… Read more -
Japanese Cooking: Going Beyond Sushi
In general, the Japanese people are very healthy and live longer than any other culture in the world. Why is this? Many people attribute it to the way they eat. But if you think that all Japanese people eat is sushi you couldn’t be more wrong. Japanese home cooking is simple, healthy, and delicious. While some of the ingredients may seem exotic and intimidating, rest assured that anyone can cook wonderful delicious Japanese meals with ease. Sushi is the most popular type of Japanese food, enjoyed throughout the world. You may notice that sushi is quite filling, and you typically eat much less than you would a more Western style meal, such as a hamburger. What is it about sushi that makes it so filling and satisfying? The answer could be rice. Rice is definitely a staple of any… Read more
