Walking in a Dim Sum Wonderland

In my family, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a little something Asian and this year, the “something Asian” was DIM SUM! For those of you who are unfamiliar, dim sum is a unique Asian treat consisting of carts filled with delicious goodness that are pushed from table to table and where each person may select any number of dishes to their hearts’ content. It’s the Asian version of tapas! Small dishes, usually cooked in mini steamers, are available at the point of a finger and usually, just like at a tapas restaurant, we usually order WAY TOO MUCH! Usual fare include: shumai (steamed dumplings), pork buns, noodles, salt and pepper calamari, and so much more…

One of my favorite places to get dim sum is a small little restaurant here in Las Vegas called Changs. The restaurant is quite petite and the parking is horrid but the food is divine and definitely worth what little trouble you may encounter in the parking lot. Just a note on dim sum, it’s usually only offered during the earlier part of the day (starting around 11am) and stops just after lunch (2pm-ish), so if you are going to have it, you have to be prepared to be there early, but it really is an experience you should have at least once in your life!

Changs is located on Decatur, just after Tropicana.

Changs
4670 S Decatur Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89103
(702) 362-3663

Pizza in the Black Hole

I recently experienced the most delicious pizza this side of New York City. I cannot, however, tell you what the name of this special gem is because…there is none! I mean, I’m sure there’s a name to the place but everyone I’ve talked to about it, doesn’t remember and quite frankly, I was too busy wolfing down my pizza to bother looking.

That being said, the pizza itself is TDF. To. Die. For. You can tell that only the freshest ingredients are used - from the mozzarella & ricotta balls (yes, I said balls), to the clearly homemade pizza sauce, to superbly seasoned sausage, this place knows pizza making. And the crust??? Forget about it! It is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside (even though it’s thin crust!) and it is all sorts of good!

Where, you ask, is this magical place? I was debating on whether or not to share with you all; but, I’m in a generous holiday mood so I will. It is located at the Cosmopolitan Hotel - Las Vegas, on the 3rd floor, in the hallway between Blue Ribbon and Jaleo. It is LITERALLY at the end of a dark and scary hallway (hence the black hole reference). It is a little tough to find but I promise you, this place will NOT disappoint. So, the next time you’re at the Cosmopolitan and you DON’T want to pay a million dollars for a good meal, check out this hidden treasure and try not to cry tears of joy after your first bite!

Being Asian ROCKS!

Visit any Asian home on any given night and there’s a 75% chance that the Chef of the household has made fried rice as one of the dishes served for dinner. Fried rice is a staple in the Asian household. Usually using whatever ingredients are on hand, fried rice is Asian comfort food at its best and one that I can’t live without. Just the other night, I was hanging out with my family trying to decide what to make for a late dinner. After rummaging through the ice box, I pulled out rice, eggs, & veggies – the perfect trio for Fried Rice! Fifteen minutes later, we had a one pot meal that was as warm as a panda hugging her newborn cub! The recipe here is basic but can definitely be varied to suit whatever you have in your fridge. Have fun and be creative with it – I promise - you won’t mess it up!

Basic Fried Rice

Ingredients

3-4 cups of cooked white rice
2 ½ cups frozen vegetables
2-3 eggs (whisked in a bowl)
1 ½ - 2 tbls garlic salt (rice needs flavor!) [start w/ 1 tbls, taste and add more to taste]
1 tbls dried herbs (I usually use Italian seasoning – but use whatever you have in the spice rack)
1-2 tbls of butter
1 tsp black pepper
1 ½ tbls onion powder
Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Heat a medium – large skillet on medium heat. Add 2 tbls olive oil. Once the pan is hot, add the frozen vegetables, season with salt and pepper and sauté for about 3-5 minutes.
2. Add the rice and break down so that it is in a fairly even layer. Add the garlic salt, herbs, black pepper & onion powder. Toss everything together to make sure the rice is coated with oil, then, flatten out in the pan. Leave it alone for 3—4 minutes so the bottom can crisp up a bit. (Who doesn’t love those little crispy rice bits!)
3. Taste to check if more garlic salt is needed. Add, if necessary.
4. Make a well in the middle of the pan & pour in the eggs. Scramble, then, mix in with the rice. Mix well. Add butter to finish, making sure it is tossed well.
5. Viola! Done! Make yourself a bowl of piping hot fried rice and enjoy!