Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Years ago I hosted a sushi-rolling party for my running group. We were 'on a roll' toward a half-marathon and I wanted to celebrate our successes. We were also celebrating a friend's birthday, so I made a Sushi Cake. Well, it was a cake that looked like sushi... I considered doing something like that for this month's  Food'N'Flix   dinner. I had chosen  Jiro Dreams of Sushi   for the group, after all. But, honestly, after watching the movie twice I just felt completely deflated. I was not inspired to cook anything; all I wanted to do was hop on a plane and go to Sukiyabashi Jiro .  I considered taking a trip to the local fish market for both ingredients and inspiration, but ours pales in comparison to the Tsukiji Market. Then I toyed with making a noodle dish like the one the apprentices were eating in the kitchen...something like ramen. No matter what I put on the table, nothing would look as delectable and fresh as his creations. When I started watc...

Click here to read the funny exchange I had with my mom about making suman ; she doesn't. Well, I can now say, "I do make suman!" And it was fairly easy. The only thing that stalled me was that I forgot to soak the rice, so I couldn't make these last night. Step One : Soak 3 C kuhuho rose rice (or any sticky rice) in warm water for at least 6 hours. I soaked mine overnight. Step Two : Drain and cook the rice in 3 C coconut milk until soft and sticky. Stir in 1 C young coconut. For some reason, the jar I bought at the Filipino store was translated as "gelatinous mutant coconut." Yuck...on the name. Yum...on the taste. Step Three : Let the rice cool and cut your thawed banana leaves into 4" pieces and 6" pieces. Once the rice is cool, place rice in the center of the 4" piece, folding in the sides and rolling the leaf tightly to form a roll. It's okay if the leaf splits a little bit; you'll be double-rolling it in the ...