Roasted Cashew Sauce - perfect for chicken satay

Roasted Cashew sauce.
8 oz roasted cashews
5 oz roasted peanuts
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
12 fl oz coconut milk
3 teaspoon thick soy sauce
2 teaspoon sweet chilli sauce
(recommend to add a bit more hot sauce of your liking here - Saracha is ok)
1 teaspoon soft brown sugar.

1. Preheat oven to warm 315oF.  Spread cashews and peanuts on baking tray and roast for 10 min and then cool.
2. Finely grind cumin coriander and fenugreek with mortar and pestle.  Put in a small pan and dry fry over low heat for 3 minutes. 
3. Put nuts and spices in food processor and finely chop.  Add remaining ingredients and salt and pepper until a soft chunky sauce.  If you prefer a thin sauce, add 2-3 tablespoons water.
4. Transfer to a small pan and heat gently for 5 minutes, until warm.

Lei's Cheesecake Recipe

Brenna's co-worker made the most amazing cheesecake recently so I just had to get the recipe.  It is amazing how good something that I usually don't crave can be once you have a bite... you just can't stop with this one :)

2.5 c graham cracker crumbs

1 stick melted butter

0.25c sugar

Handful of toasted nuts (optional)

Combine and press into 9inch springform pan)

1.5 Cup sugar

3lbs cream cheese

3 eggs

1 Tbsp vanilla

3 Tbsp cornstarch

1.5 cup sour cream

Beat Cream cheese and sugar until smooth and light. 

Beat in eggs cornstarch and vanilla just until blended.

Stir in sour cream.

Add to pan and bake @450 degrees for 10min

Reduce to 200 degrees and back for 1.5 hours

Turn oven off and open door slightly for 3 hours

Refrigerate.

This is 1.5 x the original recipe to make  taller cheesecake.  It can be scaled back.

I sift in the cornstarch so that it doesn’t clump.  I put a rack above the cheesecake and foil on the rack to keep the cake from browning

Baking time varies but just bake until it isn’t jiggly.

For the ganache I melted 10oz chocolate chips – semi sweet and added 1 cup whipping cream over a double boiler.  When this is smooth I poured it over the cheese cake and spread it around the sides.

How to plan a Sushi Party for 4 people

I enjoy putting together sushi parties with friends at my place. I have also taken a sushi class and there are some tricks and pitfalls to share. These tips and menu ideas will get you through a sushi night at home stress free. We usually have a lot of fun making sushi since our guests help out and get involved in the process. So let's get started.

What to get?

Tools: Sushi Roller (usually less than 5 dollars at your asian store)

Basic Ingredients:

Nori - Seaweed Sheets

Wasabi - (DO NOT GET THE TUBES! but the powder which is actually horseradish)

Soy Sauce (Some of the main stream brands are fine. However, you need to water them down to make them taste better 1/2 water 1/2 soy sauce. Try it, you will be pleasantly surprised.)

Ginger Pickled (I buy this ready made but some day plan to make it from the young ginger that they sell)

Cucumbers

Avocado

Fish:

Salmon is my favorite

Tilapia is ok if you have some good other flavors going on

Tuna is good

Broiled Eel (unagi) is a must for us

Short grain Rice you can make into Sushi Rice.  I usually pick up Nishiki brand.

Mirin - Rice Wine Vinegar