asian-inspired risotto

i recently experienced a bit of a culinary adventure when i volunteered to bar tend a private dinner party for a personal chef friend of mine.  among learning how to make a martini on the fly and tasting fresh black truffles for the first time, i got an invaluable little tip from someone who actually went to culinary school.  apparently, when making risotto it helps to fry the raw rice in the oil with your garlic and onion before you add water... Read More

raw seaweed salad

there’s not too much to wakame seaweed.  it’s a little salty, has a subtly sweet flavor, and contains small amounts of fiber, iron and calcium.  but what makes it special is the presence of a compound called fucoxanthin, which has been associated with helping to burn fatty tissue. you can get a big bag of dried wakame super cheap in china town (i found mine for $2.19) and use it in salads, soups, or even just with rice.  for this recipe... Read More