SHABU SHABU

Once upon a time, there was an amazing concept called SHABU SHABU…. SHABU SHABU is a magical pot that brings joy to so many people…

SHABU SHABU means “swish swish” in Japanese and swish-swish is exactly what you do. A plate of paper thin meats are ceremoniously set before you with a side of a positively enormous avalanche of veggies.

The idea of SHABU SHABU is just like hot pot eating. You take your meats and veggies and swish it around in the broth (distilled water) and then dip it in various sauces. These sauces, spicy, ponzu and peanut, are wildly different, yet wonderfully compatible. The best part is that after you’ve had your luscious meal, you don’t feel like you’re in a food coma!

My favorite place to have SHABU SHABU is at a place in Henderson, Nevada, aptly named – SHABU SHABU. I highly recommend this experience and this particular restaurant. The service is stellar and the food is DIVINE!

SHABU SHABU Paradise
1716 W Horizon Ridge # 110 Henderson, NV 89012
(702) 385-4567

Snails and Pastries

This is not about snails despite the title of this blog. It’s about the Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie at Double Helix. I LOVE sweet potato pie (SPP – what can I say, I like Abbrevs! [that’s abbreviations… what?!, I told you I was quirky!). ANYWAY… There is nothing more comforting than SPP and on a cold day like today, how could I NOT order it when I saw it on the menu at a little restaurant called Double Helix.

Double Helix’s version of the sweet potato pie is not a pie at all, it’s more of a tart. It consists of a bed of golden brown puff pastry, layered with smooth sweet potato puree, topped with caramelized marshmallows, and drizzled with the most sinfully sweet bourbon sauce. It is a sophisticated and elegant take on a classic. The only note is that when the server set the plate down on the table, I was immediately struck with the thought that this wonderful treat looked remarkably like a snail!! One taste of this unconventional sweet potato pie and you will forget all about the way it looks and focus solely on how it tastes. And boy, does it deliver!

Double Helix can be found at Town Square Shopping Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Looks just like a snail, right??? A delicious, sweet, delectable, snail!

Get Crepe-y With It!!!!

A creperie AND a waffle shop! In a single place???!!?! Sign me up!

This tiny shop is a little hidden gem that I've discovered just tonight. Crepe Shack and Waffles is a family owned shop, specializing in crepes and waffles with creative flair. Delights such as, Tickle Me Berry (featuring 3 seasonal berries) and the Rebel Special (strawberries, bananas & nutella), wonderfully entertain your taste buds.

A visit to Crepe Shack and Waffles is definitely a treat so make sure you have room in your tummy for their delicious concoctions!

Crepe Shack and Waffles is in Henderson, NV - on the corner of Eastern and Coronado Center.

Look at how beautiful this is!!

The Cozy Winter

I don't know about you but in the winter, I love to curl up on the couch with a cup of coffee, my blanket and a piece of cake. Winter just calls for those quiet little indulgent moments and I've got the perfect recipe to help make that happen.

Winter Spice Cake

Ingredients

2 1/2 all purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temp
1/4 cup molasses
2 eggs
2/3 cup dried cranberries
2/3 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup crystallized ginger, chopped

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, salt, baking soda & ground ginger.

2. In a small bowl, add milk and sour cream. In a larger bowl, add brown sugar, butter, & molasses and beat until fluffy. Add eggs, mix well.

3. Alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk mixture, ending with the flour mixture. Beat until incorporated. Add cranberries, pecans & chopped ginger.

4. Pour batter into a buttered 13x9 baking pan/dish. Bake 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees, until a toothpick inserted into the center, comes out clean. Cool cake in the pan on a wire rack.

5. Pour yourself some coffee or a glass of milk and ENJOY!

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!