A Fresh take on Cucumber Salad

We went to a new Japanese Sushi Restaurant the other night and when perusing through the menu I saw something interesting.  Plum and Cucumber Sushi.  At first I thought it sounded weird, but then I started thinking it would probably be a really lovely combination.  One of Brian and my favorite things when we are going for Sushi is the cucumber salad which I also make at home fairly often.  I have tried rolling my own sushi at home and it just never comes out exactly like the professionals so I wasn't going to embark on that again.  Not to mention buying all the necessary tools to make sushi is more expensive than going down to the restaurant and paying the whole $5 for the roll.  

Anyways, below I made my own rendition of Cucumber Salad with Plums.  It turned out beautiful and the flavors were perfect together.  This is the season to make it too with Plums so ripe and gorgeous right now.  Just looking at the picture is making my mouth water because it was so fresh and light!

I know this picture isnt that attractive, but I had to show you how to best sliver the plums.  Using a mandolin, slice the plums into fairly thin slices (upper right).  Then using your knife, stack a couple plum slices together and sliver them vertically (lower left).  I also used my mandolin to slice the cucumbers since I already had it out.  Usually I am so lazy to wash it I just use my knife!

Cucumber Plum Salad

Ingredients

2 cups Cucumber, thinly sliced

1 cup Plum, thinly sliced and slivered

1/4 cup Red Onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup Carrot, match-stick cut

1 tablespoon Sugar

1 tablespoon Cilantro, fresh and chopped roughly

2 tablespoons fresh Lime Juice

2 tablespoons Rice Wine Vinegar

1 teaspoon Soy Sauce

1/8 teaspoon pepper

salt to taste (won't need hardly any)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl and toss gently making sure to combine all ingredients.  Enjoy!

Friends

We were so lucky last week to have our friends Russ and Paula in the desert! Brian and Russ are long lost brothers and from the moment they set eyes on each other it was kismet. I knew as soon as I saw them sharing food there was no stopping his obsession with "Russ Dog". Not to mention that Paula is the sweetest, most fun person on the planet and we couldn't stop talking all night either. We went to Okura, our favorite Sushi place down here and as usual it was wonderful and has a fun atmosphere. AND Saki Bombs. =)

I can't explain how thankful I am to be seeing so many of my friends lately. After college when I first started working it was difficult to find a balance between work, family and friends, but now five years later I am so happy I have found a way to do everything! Between Bikram Yoga, Strolling around Balboa, a Cooking Class or Shopping...
I am lucky enough to have a buddy for everything!

Oh, look at the lovely couple! If Brian ever leaves me, I know he will be with Russ...

Restaurant Review: Sushi Samba

This weekend we travelled to Florida to attend Brian's cousin's wedding in Plantation. We decided to make it into a mini-vacation and go to Miami Beach for a day or two before-hand. It was my very first time in Florida, and after hearing so much about it, I was excited to see everything with my own eyes! The timing also couldn't have been better because just as we were leaving Orange County the temperature dropped 15 degrees and the news was projecting rain all weekend. Whereas in Florida it was 80 degrees and sunny the whole time we were there! It was perfect!!

On Thursday night we took the concierge's recommendation from the Mondrian and set off for SUSHI SAMBA. When we walked in we instantly fell in love with the upbeat atmosphere of the restaurant and the menu's interesting blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine.

Brian ordered so much food, way more than we could eat, but it was a ton of fun because we got a taste of everything pretty much.

Blackberry Mojito=AMAZING

Yellowtail Crispy Taquitos

Sea bass and Miso Anticuchos served with Caribbean Corn

Yellowtail Seviches with Ginger, Garlic and Soy

Samba Dromo Roll (lobster), Bobo Brazil (Kobe Beef, Chimicurri), Ezo (24 hour marinaded Salmon), Vegetable (Sweet Potato)

Warm Chocolate Banana Cake

I would go back to this place any time. I left feeling sad we don't have one near us. The good news is you can visit this place at any one of their 7 locations in Miami, New York, Las Vegas and Chicago! You better believe we will be going back to this place when we are in New York in May for Andrew and Karen's wedding!

Restaurant Review: WASA

Whew! I have been out of touch with blogging lately! But, I am back! Last Saturday night we were lucky enough to have Karen and Andrew visit for the night. It was way too short and we don't get to see them enough, but I am grateful they made the stop to see us!

My dad told us about this new (well, new to us) Sushi restaurant called WASA. It is so close and in a center I frequent often and am kicking myself for not seeing it sooner. It was excellent! The fish was so fresh and they had a perfect balance between classic Japanese dishes and some more adventurous western twists.

We had the best time, as usual, and were also happy to have Liz and Matt join us. Lots of laughter, Saki Bombs and good food! If you live in the area you must try this place! Delish!

Miss Karen and Andrew already, but excited to see them soon for Karen's Bridal Shower in March! Watch out for more to come with these two...