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

Amazing Crab Cakes from Lauren's Mom

The lack of measurements in this recipe can be explained by the fact that it is a family one. If you find particular quantities that work out well for you please comment to share with everyone.

Use Crab from Costco in the cooler section (not frozen)

Add the following to taste

*Small amount mayonnaise (to hold cakes together once mixed)
*Lemon Zest
*Lemon Juice
*Fresh Dill and Chives
*Sea Salt and Pepper
*Cayenne Pepper
*Add 1/2 cup approximately of Panko

Chill. Roll in small balls and press into a flat cak. Coat with more panko. Place in a hot skillet using a small amount of olive oil or butter. Cook until crisy on outside.

Serve with the following or with your own concoction:
The Ojai Cook Latin or Lemon Lemonaise
Chili Sauce

Megan's Spiced Candied Pecans

Spiced Pecans

1 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
dash of cloves
2c. pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine first 4 ingredients in medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves, stirring constantly (~8 min). Add pecans and vanilla. Cook until syrup is absorbed, and pecans are coated, stirring constantly (~12 mins...the pecans will start to look dry and sugary, and become difficult to stir). Spread pecan mixture on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray (pecans will have a sugar coating). Separate pecans into halves. Cool completely. Yields 3 1/2 c.Store in an airtight container in a cool dark place for up to 1 month, in the fridge for 3 months, or in freezer for 8 months.

Brenna's Vegetarian Chili Supreme (meat optional)

This recipe can be easily modified to add most any ingredient you wish. If you like meat chili, it is easy to add meat. I made this with leftover turkey meat at Thanksgiving and it was extremely flavorful. Also consider using toppings for your chili like sour cream, green onions, more cilantro, and bacon bits.

Ingredients:
3 TB oil
1 large 24oz can diced tomatoes
1 onion chopped
1 large red bell pepper chopped
3 green chilies seeded and chopped fine (serrano peppers work well)
8 cloves garlic pressed
1 1/2 TB cumin seeds
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 TB coriander powder
2 1/2 TB chili powder
2 cups vegetable stock or chicken stock
1 1/2 TB dried oregano
1/2 TB thyme
1 TB basil
1 TB brown sugar
3 cups canned beans (black, kidney and pinto work well) - drained and rinsed
3 cups frozen veggies (veggie medley works well or gumbo or corn or peas)
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 bunch chopped fresh cilantro
1 TB lime juice

Instructions:
Heat oil in a large pot on medium high. Add onions and cook for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add the red bell pepper and cook for another 3 minutes. Add the garlic then push the ingredients to the wall to create a well. Add an extra TB of oil to the center. Then add cumin seeds to the center and cook until they start to brown (about 30 seconds). Mix together all ingredients. Add coriander powder, cayenne pepper, and chili powder. Cook for another minute or two. Add 2 cups of vegetable stock (water if you don't have stock) making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cook until thickened. Add oregano, thyme, basil, brown sugar, and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer again and put the lid on. Simmer for at least 25 minutes. Stir occasionally, making sure to scrape to the bottom of the center of the pan. Add a cup of water if it gets too solid and starts sticking to the bottom. Add beans and frozen veggies. Mix and cook for 2 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and add cilantro and lime.

Jothi's Instant Microwave Walnut Fudge - (or Pecan)

 Walnut Fudge Recipe from a good friend in Columbus, Ohio.

This recipe is pretty easy to make and tastes amazing in your mouth.  It is a perfect desert for a dinner party or for around the holidays.  I highly recommend giving it a try.  If you end up with something hard you probably microwaved it too long so just be careful with the amount of time you run the microwave.  If you really want this to come out right, don't skimp on the butter :)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups walnuts
2/3 cup butter
1/8 cup brown sugar (reduced from original recipe)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla extract (not imitation)
(Optional 1 TBS instant coffee powder)
(Optional 2 ounces of chocolate chips)

Directions:
1. Dry Roast Walnuts to get the essential oils to release on medium heat for a couple of minutes
2. Melt butter in microwave and mix in milk and sugar (add optional ingredients at this time)
3. Microwave for 10 minutes (stopping to stir ever 3 minutes) -
Important Note: This cook time depends greatly on the strength of the microwave. You may only need to do this for 5 minutes. When you are stirring look for a rich glossy. and stiffening fudge. When it cools it will harden more. To learn more about how water affects the dessert check out this website http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candy. The less water that is in your dessert, the harder it will get.
4. Add Vanilla and Nuts at the end and mix
5. Let set into fudge blocks and cut to enjoy