Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Roasted Enoki Mushrooms Izakaya Style


Whew! I am back from all my travels and am finally back in my own kitchen. I miss the beach and the excitement of travel, but it's good to be home. I need to hit the gym, cook at home for a while and catch up on some serious laundry.

I ate well on the road; almost grossly rich food in Savannah at Paula Deen's restaurant The Lady and Sons, and a classically elegant supper of local-caught flounder eaten by candlelight during a thunderstorm while overlooking a park at the historic Olde Pink House.

Las Vegas brought excellent off-the-strip Thai food at Lotus of Siam, followed the next night by a meal at Michael Mina's STRIPSTEAK that was as expensive as my mortgage payment, only I was fortunate enough to not be paying for that meal. Thanks Becky!

Imagine black-truffle dusted duck-fat fried French fries, foie gras "sliders", A5 Japanese Kobe beef steak that was seriously the price of a low-end car payment, Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet, jalapeno creamed corn, truffled mac n cheese and freshly fried mini doughnuts and beignets with dipping sauces, along with many more items I am leaving out. OH MY GOD!! Here is a photo of me and chef Ben Jenkins and me & the girls with who might be considered the greatest thug in the kingdom of rap, Suge Knight. It's Vegas after all...we also saw Magic Johnson and Adrian Grenier of Entourage and Devil Wears Prada.


Laguna Beach and Newport Beach brought respite from Vegas with sleepy mornings, a brown-bag lunch at the beach and early dinners before a glass of wine and early bedtimes.

Sushi ruled the day, any that's how I stumbled on the inspiration for this recipe. My favorite sushi bar frequented by locals is San Shi Go (345) in Laguna Beach. Sushi chef Yoshi not only served me an amazing omakase-style sublime sushi experience, but when I finished I asked where else I should eat while in Orange County and he steered me to sister restaurant Oki Doki, an Asian fusion place known for Izakaya style food.

So...what is Izakaya? I was thrilled to discover it's a Japanese style of restaurant/bar/pub not unlike a tapas bar (Spain) in that it's small plates meant for sharing while enjoying drinks with friends and/or colleagues.

My really sweet and (so earning brownie points) boyfriend Brian flew in to surprise me on Thursday and stayed for the weekend, so Friday night found us at Oki Doki where everything was absolutely delicious, but the mushrooms roasted in foil stuck in my head. Here is my version - this is amazingly simple and really good.

Roasted Enoki Mushrooms Izakaya Style:
(serves 1, can be increased as needed)

1 small bunch enoki mushrooms
1 tbs sake
1 tbs ponzu sauce (ponzu shoyu (with soy sauce added) is best here, not plain ponzu)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp to 1/2 tbs butter (use what you want)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400. Make a small pouch in a piece of foil, add mushrooms and then seasonings (except butter). Toss mushrooms until coated, top with butter, then close foil packet. Roast for about 15 minutes. Serve immediately!

19 comments:

Peabody said...

Sounds like you had a great time all around!

Anonymous said...

Roasted enokis sound great; I'll have to try making that dish. Rumor has it that an Izakaya place is opening Downtown next to Fate.

Janet said...

hmmm.... did you get a picture of Adrian Grenier?? I love Entourage! I have never seen these mushrooms before, but they look so cute!

Anonymous said...

Kirsten--That was some amazing travel! And the mushrooms sound very cool. I've seen them in a huge Asian market here and knew I wanted to do something with them, but had no idea what. Now I do--thanks!

Unknown said...

Looks like you had a great time! That's awesome that you saw/met some interesting folks and had some wondeful food. These mushrooms look delicious. I've seen them in Sprouts and always wanted to try them - I think I'll be using this recipe when I get home from Portland! :)

Anonymous said...

Ohh I never knew how to prepare Enoki mushrooms though I always wanted too! Thanks!

Looks like you guys had a blast!

Anonymous said...

Oh how I miss California and it's beaches. I love Arizona, but the humidity right now is doing a number on my hair. LOL Glad the traveling went smoothly. =)

-Michelle

Kirsten said...

Thanks Peabody!

Silverbear, that is SO exciting about the new place by Fate. I hope all works out...

Janet, no pic of Adrian, sorry. I got a bit starstruck and didn't want to look like a dork. I did wink at him though...

Hi Terry! This is now my go-to enoki recipe. I had never tried them either, but this is so simple it will become a staple.

Hey Christine! We MUST have lunch or dinner at Mike Thai sometime VERY soon and shop at Sprouts. Let's coordinate? Shall we invite Maureen?

Michelle and our darling "Clumsy" Cook, thanks!!

Anonymous said...

Waving my hands in the air- please invite me to the Thai/Sprouts outing. :)

Sounds like you had a great trip Kirsten. Good to have you back blogging about your culinary adventures!

Maureen

lululu said...

Sounds like a really fun trip!

I used to add a little spicy sauce for this dish when served.....just if u love it hot!!

Kelly-Jane said...

Sounds like a great holiday :) and your pictures are fabulous too!

Nora B. said...

Kirsten, your vacation sounds fantastic and it was nice that Brian surpised you. :-) The meals you had also sounded amazing.

I love enoki mushroom and use it often when I was living in Singapore, but somehow forgot all about it now that I'm in Sydney. Thanks for reminding me. This recipe sounds and looks delicious.

Anonymous said...

So much fun!! I love those photos of you...you look so happy.

I have never seen these mushrooms before. Very interesting!

Toby said...

Just bought some enoki mushrooms and was stumped about what to do with them. Will give this a try...sounds delicious.

muebles en guadalajara said...

I suppose every person must read it.

Generic Cialis said...

I ordered fried tofu, eggplant, whole squid (and it is one big whole squid - not some cute calamari), beef meat balls, and beef tongue. Because the preparations are so simple, the dishes need condiments (which were always the same green onion and ginger) grew a little boring. Ultimately, it's rather basic and simple food for $30 per one.

Natalie said...

I am going to try the Enoki's tonight to go with our Hanamatsuri celebration dinner.
Thanks for this recipe, can't wait to try them!!!

Ruby said...

I just tried your mushroom recipe - amazing! Thanks for posting. :)

amanda joseph said...

Enoki Mushroom Plant