Thai Style Rice Crackers With Persimmon Sambal Food

PERSIMMON PUNCH (SOO JEUNG GA)

Steps:

• In a pot, combine the water, ginger, and cinnamon and let simmer for 1/2 hour. Remove from heat and strain the liquid. Stir in the sugar and persimmons. Cool and let sit in the refrigerator overnight. Serve well chilled with a teaspoon of pine nuts floating in each cup.

SAMBAL SHRIMP

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the sambal oelek, lime juice, olive oil, sugar, garlic, ginger, mirin, fish sauce and sesame oil. Whisk well to combine. Allow the marinade to sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
• Place the shrimp in a 1-gallon resealable plastic bag, and add all but 1 /2 cup of the marinade to the bag. Allow the shrimp to marinate at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Preheat a grill to medium-high and oil the grill.
• Place the shrimp on the grill and cook until they are just cooked through, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a large bowl. Add the reserved 1/2 cup marinade, the cilantro and the mint and toss well to combine. Transfer the shrimp to a large serving bowl or platter, and serve immediately.

GINGER TUNA ON RICE CRACKERS WITH WASABI AIOLI

Steps:

• Using a sharp knife, slice the tuna into 1/2-inch strips with the grain, then cut the strips into triangular pieces and place them in a mixing bowl. Puree the ginger with the sliced garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Scrape the sides of the bowl, add the soy sauce, and slowly pour the oil in with the machine running. Drizzle this mixture over the fish and gently toss to cool. Marinate the tuna for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, combine the wasabi with a few drops of water, then add the minced garlic and mayonnaise. Add salt and pepper to taste and the green food coloring (if desired) to intensify the color of wasabi. Place the wasabi mayonnaise in a squeeze bottle if available. Remove the tuna from the marinade, place on a greased baking sheet, and bake it for 3 to 4 minutes, until the inside is pink. Or pan-sear in a hot skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Place the pieces of tuna on rice crackers, and top each with a little wasabi aioli. Sprinkle with black sesame seeds and diced red pepper.

WOK-FIRED OKRA SAMBAL

Steps:

• Heat the peanut oil in a wok or skillet over medium heat. Add the chili paste and fry, stirring, about 3 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons salt and all but 1 teaspoon of the sugar and cook until the sugar begins to caramelize, about 5 minutes.
• Heat about 4 inches peanut oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F. Working in batches, fry the okra until bright green, about 30 seconds, then remove with a wire skimmer or slotted spoon and shake off the excess oil. Add the okra to the wok with the chili sauce and toss about 1 minute. Add the oyster sauce, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and the remaining 1 teaspoon sugar and toss 30 more seconds. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the shallots and chile pepper.

GINGER TUNA ON RICE CRACKERS WITH WASABI AIOLI

Steps:

• Using a sharp knife, slice the tuna into 1/2-inch strips with the grain, then cut the strips into triangular pieces and place them in a mixing bowl. Puree the ginger with the sliced garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Scrape the sides of the bowl, add the soy sauce, and slowly pour the oil in with the machine running. Drizzle this mixture over the fish and gently toss to cool. Marinate the tuna for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, combine the wasabi with a few drops of water, then add the minced garlic and mayonnaise. Add salt and pepper to taste and the green food coloring (if desired) to intensify the color of wasabi. Place the wasabi mayonnaise in a squeeze bottle if available. Remove the tuna from the marinade, place on a greased baking sheet, and bake it for 3 to 4 minutes, until the inside is pink. Or pan-sear in a hot skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Place the pieces of tuna on rice crackers, and top each with a little wasabi aioli. Sprinkle with black sesame seeds and diced red pepper.
• In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and saute the mushrooms for 15 to 20 minutes until all the moisture is gone. Add the shallots and garlic and saute 2 minutes longer. Remove the skillet from the heat and add in the Boursin, Asiago, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly and allow it to cool in an uncovered bowl. While the mushroom mixture is cooling prepare the Phyllo. Layer 3 sheets of Phyllo pastry, lightly brushing each layer with melted butter using a pastry brush. Cut the layered Phyllo into 4-inch squares using a pastry wheel or sharp knife. Keep pastry covered with a lightly damp towel until ready to fill. Using a spoon, place a small amount of the mushroom duxelle into the center of each Phyllo square and draw the corners of the squares up to the center and twist. Lightly brush with melted butter and place in a lined baking sheet. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees.