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Sunday, March 14, 2010

An Afternoon of Appetizers

My husband was telling me they were having a get together at his place of work after hours (because the owner was out of town) hehe, not really. I don't know what they were celebrating, the time change? Good enough reason! A friend that Wade runs with and hangs out at the shop is good with his turkey frier. He was bringing some fresh fish, and other goodies to fry. I have a turkey thawing that he will be frying. So I thought this would be a good time to try my hand at making crab salad nigiri sushi, that my blogger friend Pikko at Adventures in bento making made. Pikko's are much prettier, I'll have to keep practicing. Her creation was a hit though. I put them in a deviled egg carrier to bring them in. Since we were all hanging outside behind the shop it didn't have to be fancy. That is where the fryer was! and the blender!

First off my rice cooker died on me. How frustrating. It would turn on and keep warm, but the cook button wouldn't work. I went to check it and there it sat, all that water still hanging out on top. I transferred it to a pan and cooked it on my stove top, forgot to time it, but it turned out fine! Once in the bowl I added the already prepared sushi vinegar while it's still warm.

Using the stick version of the imitation crab (Pikko says it works better than the chunk kind). I was lucky to have these already. Chop up the crab and add mayo, I added a little wasabi powder to it, but not enough for it to be too much for those who don't like it. I am a wasabi fan!

It took a little while to get used to handling the sticky sushi rice, having a bowl of water on hand to help. I hand made the rice balls (I am using a rice ball maker next time, sounds like a good investment). A little adjusting on what size to make them. With scissors cut the nori sheets into strips, being careful to cut them straight because it will show if you cut it crooked.

Wrap the strips around the rice, sealing it with water. With a tiny baby spoon I filled the cups with the crab salad. Those little spoons come in handy, good thing I saved them!

I topped some with srircha, some with wasabi and left some without, because I know Maranda would like it plain. She did eat some and the plain ones went last. I have to tell you this it was funny. A couple showed up later, they came riding in on their motorcycles all noisy, just to make an entrance. The owner brother and his girlfriend. She is acting all tough in her leathers. Someone is telling them what we have to eat. Now for a few of them this was the first sushi that they've tried. He pointed out the sushi, she says "No I only like real sushi". Now I was good, I only said "this is real sushi". Then I let her do her thing. After eating some 7 layer taco dip, she did try a piece and loved it. (No wasabi for her, she doesn't "do " wasabi) Then she ate another one, then said "I wish we were here earlier and didn't miss most of the sushi" She ended up eating the last one too. I just smiled to myself. Maranda and Wade did bring it up later, and we laughed about it.
Thanks Pikko it was a hit.
I didn't bring my camera, what was I thinking? So I didn't get a photo of the beautiful turkey as it came out of the fryer. It was tasty!
Now on to the afternoon of appetizers. I had a plantain that was too ripe again for Tostones, so I quick fried it up in some butter.
Then added a little liqueur, and drizzled it with molasses.
It caramelized so nicely!

I had some guava paste left from the dessert the other day, so I topped some Cuban crackers with cream cheese and the guava paste. I like to bring these to book club, but cut them a little neater. Jalapeno pepper jelly is good like this too. I also fried up some of the Queso de Freir which Maranda ate most of it.

It was a day full of flavors! That's what happens when you skip breakfast!

27 comments:

  1. Okay, whoa, what is this guava paste thing?? It looks really good!!

    Glad the sushi was a hit! I'm not sure what makes something "real" sushi though. lol

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  2. Pikko,
    It is good! guava paste A combination of guava pulp, sugar, pectin and citric acid , which is cooked slowly until exceedingly thick and rich.
    It's popular in the Caribean. It comes in a square shape sealed plastic or in tins. We can get it in the grocery store, or even Walmart and Big Lots. I want to use it in some steamed buns. The one I used was hard to cut because I had it in the fridge.

    I thought the same thing. (about "real" sushi)

    Michelle - Thanks again!

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  3. Wow it sounds like a really good day eating wonderful food! I am so curious to see what a fried turkey looks like!
    Your creations look wonderful!

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  4. Your platter looks fantastic..such a tempting recipes!!Love it.

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  5. Sorry to hear about your rice cooker; that sucks. Nice work with the plantains, I'm always so afraid to work with them.

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  6. 3HT - I know, I could kick myself for not taking a photo of the turkey, it was beautiful! I need to get one of those really compact cameras that would fit in my purse and always have it with me.

    kothiyavunu - Thank you. I love small tastes of things.

    Devon - Thanks, I've had my rice cooker forever too. Now I have to go out and look for another one. My hubs tried to fix it, but now nothing comes on.

    Thanks, but I always seem to hesitate to make the tostones, and end up with ripe yellow plantains and do them the sweet instead of savory way! lol! They were good that way though!

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  7. I think I'd like a meal of appetizers every day! I'm especially loving the plantains.

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  8. Hey Lindsey, You really had done a good job. Very creative on the guava paste and hope next time you can show us how you fried the turkey.

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  9. Thanks Barbara! Yes, give me tapas everyday!

    Anncoo, okay...rub it in. I promise next time I'll take a great picture of the fried turkey!

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  10. hey everything here looks so delicious..how I wish I was not a vegetarian..

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  11. Sushi looks so delicious; wasabi and sricha are both such great pairings for these sushi rolls. I have heard about guava pastes but I never found any in my grocery stores, love the way you used it with the crackers and cream cheese. You should definitely think about a guest post, you would do great, I read a couple of your posts, your writing is very captivating!

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  12. Yay Lyndsey is making them like a pro Really neat and appertizing! I love everything display on the last photo. I'm sure you guys have a wonderful time there! Btw, you've been mentioning about those guava paste since your last posting. Your sister made them, right? So, you got any idea how to make them? Maybe you can show us the recipe some day! We have tonnes of fresh guava fruits availble here and don't know want to do with them.
    Have a nice day!
    Cheers, Kristy

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  13. Deepa, thank you!

    PJ - Thank you for your kind words.
    Maybe you would find guava paste it in a Latin food store, or on line like Amazon.
    I think I would be too nervous to guest post. I don't have any training in writing I just ramble like I am with friends. I am glad you have enjoyed it!

    Kristy - Thanks! It was fun to do. I still have to work on baking like you. I keep putting off making your steamed buns, nervous I guess! hehe!
    My sis didn't make the guava paste, I bought some for her because she can't get it in her grocery store in Michigan. I'll have to check into how you could make it from all your guava fruit!

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  14. Your sushi-biker story was funny!
    About guava paste. I love guava jam. Does it taste anything like that?

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  15. Too funny about the lady and her "real sushi". Sometimes I wonder if people think before they speak. I know I dont always! Heehee
    Everything looks delicious. I'm loving the plantains. I've never made any but I tasted them at Blogher food last year and loved them.

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  16. It all looks so good. I am dangerous with these kind of adoreable little snacks. I have such a hard time stopping :)
    *kisses* HH

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  17. Thanks so very much for stopping by my blog! Feel free to stop back by anytime!!!
    You are a brave one to make Sushi..I am too much of a cjicken to even try!

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  18. Yam!! Appetizers?? This is a complete dinner for me!!

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  19. I'm so afraid to make my own sushi, it's not even funny! Bravo to you for tackling it!

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  20. Everything looks good, Lyndsey. Love caramelized banana :-)

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  21. I love guava paste!In Colombia is popular to eat just white cheese with guava paste for dessert.

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  22. Barbara,
    It tastes just like guava, probably not as sweet as jam, and reminds me a little like fruit leather, but not that tough. HTH

    Megan,
    Lol! she was funny, she did ask who made it.
    The green plantains are more like potatoes and they get sweeter when they ripen.

    HH,
    Yes, me too, but if we spread it out all afternoon how bad could it be? hehe!

    Leslie,
    You're welcome, and thanks for stopping back.
    I know, I can't believe I tried making the sushi and even posted it!

    Zia,
    This was my dinner, often times we just eat little bits or tapas for dinner.

    TKW,
    Thank you!

    Gulmohar,
    Thanks, the plantains did caramelize nicely! Yum!

    Erica,
    Yes I've had it that way before too. Sometimes the simple things are so good!

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  23. mmmh. looks so good. my mouth is watering.
    I have tried to make sticky rice and it always ends under down...Not sure what I am doing wrong.
    Anyway, I see your daughters name is Maranda also.....
    Love the name...LOL

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  24. Scrumptious appetizers, I love the crackers with guava paste, yum!

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  25. Miranda,
    Welcome, thanks for visiting my blog. Yes, love the name!

    Thanks for your comliment! For your sticky rice are you using short grain rice? in a rice cooker ?

    5 Star Foodie,
    I know, guava paste doesn't last too long around here!

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