A weekly look into what’s new and exciting in food, music and medicine. |
Tuna and Salmon Sashimi |
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Restaurant Review Osawa (77 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101) I’m a bit of a sashimi snob and sushi denier. I generally avoid sushi joints where you can find more than three ingredients in a piece of sushi (rice, fish and wasabi). Not that I eat nigiri sushi, but I generally find better sashimi at places that focus on core sushi values. This unfortunately was not the case at Osawa. The tuna sashimi was a bit sinewy and the salmon sashimi didn’t have that melt-in-your-mouth quality that I’ve experienced at other sushi establishments. The black cod was delicious as was the crispy halibut and crispy duck breast. However, they tasted no better than most other places. The disappointment over the sashimi was what colored this review. I will likely try their shabu shabu the next time I visit. (3 out of 5 stars) Link to Osawa Restaurant Website |
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Music Workout. This week’s song selections come from abroad. Swedish band Nonono’s debut album features their hit Pumping Blood. Mellow Out. The French band Air has produced some beautiful, jazzy grooves over the past decade. Their hit song All I Need off their 1998 debut album “Moon Safari” is one of their best. |
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Moroccan Meatballs
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MEATBALLS:
SAUCE:
DIRECTIONS: 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the parsley, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper with a fork. With your hands, crumble the lamb into the bowl and knead until all of the ingredients are incorporated. 2. Moisten your hands with water and shake to remove excess. Measure a level tablespoon of lamb and roll into a ball between your palms. Line up the meatballs on a baking sheet until it’s time to put them in the sauce. 3. Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet or pot. Add the onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste and stir-fry 1 minute. Add the water, chopped tomatoes, and parsley to the pan and stir to combine. 4. Bring the sauce to a boil, then gently place the meatballs in the skillet, cover, and reduce heat to simmer. Cook 40 minutes covered, then remove the lid and cook an additional 20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened. Sprinkle each serving with a few teaspoons of chopped pistachios. Bonus points if you serve them on top of Oven-Roasted Cauliflower Rice. Makes 36 meatballs. |
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Medicine in the Media Chipotle’s Safety Woes Worsen as Scores of Students Fall Ill in Boston ‘Tis the season for communicable digestive disorders. It appears that Chipotle has had another breakout of contaminated food products. This comes on the heals of an outbreak of E. Coli at some of its stores across nine states, including three cases in California. Click this link to read the article, which also mentions food recalls from other retailers including Costco, Walmart and Starbucks because of E. Coli contaminated celery. |
