Breaking Bad Viewing Party

We got together with some friends to watch the finale of Breaking Bad yesterday. I was amazed by how the writers tied all the loose ends and made it so satisfying to us. Our friends made the special spread for the occasion. 

Ill-fated Los Pollos Hermanos. "How may I help you with your order?"

Los Pollos Hermanos cupcakes and "meth-water"

Crystal Blue. Brilliant party favor!

What a spread! You guys rock!

What do we do without the show now?

I'll sit with this ending for awhile to ponder what's going to happen to Jesse whose life is not likely to be normal again. It's not over for many of them who crossed paths with Walt. His vice keeps on lingering!

"Jesse! Listen to me!"

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Cod Roe Mayo on Tofu

There are so many ways to dress your tofu. Here is another sauce; cured cod roe and mayonnaise! Cod roe is my favorite condiment. Think of it as a flavor enhancer similar to anchovy.  

Mayonnaise magic!

Cod Roe Mayo on Tofu

Tofu, cut in 2-3 inch cube
1 piece cured cod roe, casing removed
1 1/2 Tbsp mayonnaise
1/4 tsp shiro dashi base sauce or regular soy sauce 
Shiso leaves for garnish
Nori for garnish

Cured cod roe. Yum.

Japanese made mayonnaise, Kewpie mayonnaise.
Perfectly balanced flavor, and it's the only mayonnaise I use.

Makes a great dip for veggie sticks, too!

Combine cod roe and mayonnaise and mix well. Put a dollop of the mixture on the cubed tofu. Drizzle shiro dashi base sauce or soy sauce. Garnish with julienned shiso and nori. 

This was my lunch today.

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Hippie Butter Green Smoothie

We ordered a bag of hemp protein powder online for our smoothies. Hemp powder has lots of good trace minerals, fiber and protein. This one we ordered tastes pretty good. Hippie Butter makes butter-like hemp spread, hence the name Hippie Butter. I never knew you could make so many things with hemp.

Hippie Butter's organic hemp seed protein powder

Our First Hemp Powder Green Smoothie

1 cup coconut almond milk
3 Tbsp Hippie Butter Organic Hemp Seed Protein Powder
Handful frozen kale
Handful parsley
2 Tbsp Greek yogurt
1 Tbsp Chia seeds
4-5 slices frozen peaches
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 lelmon, juiced
1 apple
1 pitted date
4 oz. water

Blend all until smooth.

Our Blendtec can handle this NO PROBLEM!

Makes enough for two people

The smoothie tasted good. I was afraid to try it first because I heard that hemp powder can smell musty and taste "earthy." This powder didn't smell musty. And earthy, yes, but in a good way; it tasted grassy to me. I'm not bothered by this flavor at all. Of course, adding tons of fruits didn't hurt, either, but that aside, we like this hemp powder.

Peace, y'all!

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Cajun Frittata

Frittata makes great make-ahead breakfast when you don't have very much time in the morning. Make it the night before, keep it in the fridge so you can grab-and-go in the morning. It's pretty filling, too.

Andouille sausage and sun dried tomatoes make this a flavorful finger food.

Cajun Frittata

6 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup andouille sausage, cooked and browned 
2 Tbsp coconut milk
2 Tbsp feta cheese
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp mayonnaise
Handful frozen kale, I have a frozen kind for my shakes; it's convenient.
Handful cilantro, chopped
1 small red pepper, diced
1 green onion, chopped
Pinches of salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and whisk well. Spray Pam on a pie dish and pour in the mixture. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Slice and serve. 

Tastes good cold, too!

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Apple Cinnamon Green Smoothie

You feel you had a little too much tequila last night? Start off your day right with a green smoothie. Cinnamon brings out the apple in this bright-flavored smoothie.

Tastes like fruit juice, only better!

Apple Cinnamon Green Smoothie

1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup frozen kale
Handful parsley
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1 apple
1/2 orange, squeezed
1/3 cup frozen mango
1/3 cup frozen strawberries
Dash cinnamon

Blend, blend, blend...

You can use any fruits in addition, I happened to have frozen mango and strawberries in the freezer. They both help thicken the smoothie as well as sweetening it up. Blend all until smooth.

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Garlic Butter Salmon

If you haven't tried the flavor combo of garlic, butter and soy sauce, you are missing out! Try this recipe for salmon and see if you like it. Make sure to crisp up the skin in the brown garlic butter.

Garlic Butter Salmon

1 lb salmon filet, sliced in 4 pieces

2 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp soy sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

Salt and white pepper

Melt butter in a skillet and warm minced garlic until fragrant. Add salmon skin-side down and sauté until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Turn over the fillets and lightly brown all sides. At the last minute, pour in soy sauce. Turn the salmon fillets and coat with the butter sauce. 

Salt and pepper the fillets. White pepper tastes great in this dish.

With sautéed mushroom

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Useful Sauces

Our friend has requested recipes for useful sauces/dressings. I usually eyeball my seasonings for almost everything, and I change them up here and there. I love improvising! But here are three staple recipes that you may find versatile and convenient to have on hand.

Sesame and peanut butter dressing on steamed cauliflowers  

1. Teriyaki Sauce

2 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp cooking sake
1 or 2 Tbsp mirin. If you like it on the sweeter side, use 2 Tbsp.
Combine all in a bowl and whisk well. 

Mirin and cooking sake

2. Soy Sauce Salad Dressing

3 Tbsp vinegar
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
Sprinkles sesame seeds, roasted on dry pan and ground. You can smash them with a muddler or use a spice grinder. 
1/2 tsp grated ginger, optional
Combine all and whisk well. This base-dressing can be modified by adding wasabi, Japanese mustard or your favorite herbs. Enjoy!

Taste much better when you actually roast them in a pan for a few minutes.

3. Sesame and Peanut Butter Dressing

3 Tbsp creamy peanut butter, or tahini sesame paste (or half of each)
3 Tbsp sugar
3 Tbsp soy sauce
3 Tbsp vinegar
3 Tbsp cooking sake
1 Tbsp sesame oil
1 Tbsp sesame chili oil
1 tsp grated ginger
Combine all and whisk well.

Use either one, or both!

Sesame chili oil, AKA la-yu.

This is how I grate ginger.

Sweet, tangy and spicy

I hope you enjoy these sauces! Make double recipes and keep them in a jar. Just grill your choice of meat, fish or tofu, and drizzle a spoonful of these sauces or use them on your salad or steamed vegetables. Tastes just right, every time!

It's a proven concoction....

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Enoki Mushroom and Okra on Tofu

Enoki mushroom was cheap at the farmer's market this week; two packs for 99 cents! Mushroom is in season in fall, so I want to take full advantage of it. You wouldn't think tofu is bland with this tasty mushroom topping! 

Grated ginger gives a kick.

Enoki Mushroom and Okra on Tofu

Soft tofu, cut into 2-3 inch cubes
2 packs enoki mushroom, cut in 1/3
5-6 okra
1/3 cup soba noodle dipping sauce
(Don't have noodle dipping sauce? Make your own with this recipe here.)
Sprinkle of Japanese chili pepper
Grated ginger for garnish
Shiso leaf for garnish

Enoki mushroom

Noodle dipping sauce

Cook in the sauce for 10 minutes or so.

In a medium sauce pan, combine noodle dipping sauce and cut enoki mushroom. Cook until mushroom is wilted. Blanch okras for one minute. Chop them up as small as you can. Mix enoki mushroom and chopped okras and stir well until it's slimy. Lay a piece of shiso leaf under a cube of tofu. Top it with the mushroom mixture. Garnish with grated ginger and chili pepper.

Chopped up and slimy!

My little kitchen gadget to grate ginger

I like soft or silky tofu for this dish.

Banzai, tofu!

"Banzaaaai!"

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