Back from the East side…we spent 2 glorious weeks in the Carolinas and now we’re here to spend the last few weeks of summer on our turf.
More pics to come, but first I need to share this easy recipe for refreshing Watermelon Agua Fresca.
No, we didn’t sip this in the south, but since we DID overindulge heavily, my first stop was to pick up a cart full of fruits and veggies to get us back on track with our {attempt} at eating healthier!
One of our favorite restaurants in Nor Cal was Aqui, nestled in the adorable Willow Glen area of San Jose. Aqui serves aguas frescas out of big jars and was a must to wash down their delicioso fare and the perfect thing to sip out on the patio.
It’s a breeze to make and I chose watermelon as my first attempt. Just picked up a personal sized {Dulcinea} watermelon and used about half of it for the drink {4 cups, chopped}.
Add the chopped melon to 4 cups cold water {I did it in 2 batches in my blender} and process until smooth. Run through a fine mesh strainer, pour into a pitcher, add 2 tablespoons sugar, stir and serve over ice with a squeeze of lime.
{umbrella optional!}
Other juicy options….cantaloupe, mango or honeydew cucumber ~ just follow the same process.
Lately the kids have been loving the running/jogging game on Wii Fit. No wonder Holden isn’t gaining weight!
I love the movement with her hair.
*****
I took a sushi making class at Japengo in San Diego a million years ago.
The prep work is the worst. For me, the rice is a nuisance, but essential to the texture and taste of the sushi.
Start with 2 cups short grain rice, well rinsed until the water runs clear. Add 2 cups water and let soak for 30 minutes.
Once the rice has soaked for 30 minutes, put on high heat and bring to a boil for 1 minute before turning to low for 20 minutes. Cover. Keep covered and do not lift lid. After 20 minutes, remove from heat and let sit for 10, covered.
In the meantime, mix these 2 ingredients along with 1 tsp. salt:
1/4 cup rice vinegar, 2 Tbsp. sugar and 1 tsp. salt
Mix in a small bowl and stil until sugar begins to dissolve.
Pour into the bottom of a glass 9X13 or another shallow dish and then add the rice~spreading it out to cool.
Like this:
Next, prepare the fillings:
Slice these bad boys up in nice long thin strips.
Then onto the crab mixture:
I use my small food processor to chop the crab. Then add just a bit of mayo, sriracha and a touch of sesame oil.
Mix well until it looks like this:
Next, cover your bamboo roller with Saran wrap:
Place a piece of nori onto roller:
Place some rice on the nori and pat down with wet hands:
Sprinkle on some toasted sesame seeds and then flip over so the nori side is up.
Add some crab mixture, cucumber and avocado:
Then roll into a “log”:
Slice with a wet knife into about 9 pieces:
Drizzle with some spicy sauce: mayo, sriracha, Hungarian paprika (mine is from Vons! LOL), cayenne pepper and a squeeze or two of lemon. (Teague’s recipe…thanks, Teague!)
For the teriyaki chicken roll, I just marinated and grilled up some frozen chicken tenders in sesame teriyaki sauce from TJ’s. Slice it into long thin strips and then repeat the above process and you will get this:
This roll was inspired by a roll at our favorite sushi joint in Gilroy ~ Ninja Sushi. It’s a good one to get the kiddos used to this Japanese cuisine! It’s also yummy with Teague’s spicy sauce!
And you can’t forget Mr. Soy and his sidekick Mr. Wasabi:
Then, as if that wasn’t enough, Jay decided to make veggie tempura!
This is super simple: 1 cup flour, 1 egg, beaten and one cup ice cold water. Mix, add veggies and coat. Tonight we used asparagus, sugar snap peas, baby carrots, red onion and red pepper.
Heat oil on medium for a few minutes and then drop veggies in. Leave in for about 5 minutes (carrots take a little longer). Remove and place on a paper towel lined plate and add a little salt while they are HOT! Mmmm mmm good.
Next time we’ll add green beans and sweet potatoes to the mix.
{Again, goes well with Teague’s sauce!!}
Phew! That was a long post! Hope you’re still awake.
But if you haven’t tried sushi @ home, give it a whirl. It’s a lot of work, but tastes just as good as your favorite sushi restaurant and a lot cheaper! Next time we’re going to do spicy salmon and shrimp tempura rolls.
Stay tuned!
Now I’d better get off the laptop and onto some Wii Fit and work off some of that fabulous Japanese dinner!
