OSAKA SUSHI

Last night a group of us went to Osaka Sushi for dinner.  This was my husband and my  first time there since I (and yes, I'm Japanese) don't usually go out for Japanese food or eat a lot of Japanese food for that matter. 

Osaka Sushi is located in a large strip mall on Center Parkway off Sheldon Rd.  The restaurant itself is large, well lit and has a very friendly atmosphere.  It's one of those places you like as soon as you walk in. 

We were seated and Linda ordered multiple plates of nigiri and  sushi rolls.  I thought this was going to be dinner but it was just the appetizers.  All the fish was  nice and fresh and the rolls as you can see were beautifully made. We got the Spider Roll, the Y2K Roll and a variety of different nigri sushi. They were all delicious and there was plenty to bring home for lunch the next day. 

I really should have stopped there with the sushi but for an entree I ordered the Seafood Tempura.  This was a mix of oysters, squid, prawns, white fish, crab and scallops all in a nice light crunchy tempura batter,and not greasy at all.  It was one of the better tempura dishes that I've had.  They for sure didn't skimp on the amount of food that they give you.  I have to say, normally I don't like cooked oysters but this was very good. Everything was fried perfectly. After all the sushi I wasn't hungry but I didn't have to worry about any of the tempura going to waste, my husband finished it off.   Other items ordered for dinner were the  Shiyoyaki Salmon (grilled salmon seasoned with salt and pepper), the Yosenabe which is a hot pot of broth with fish and cellophane noodles and vegetables and the boys ordered the House Ramen another big pot of ramen noodles, barbecued pork, chicken and vegetables. 

All the orders came quickly with just one missed order.  Poor Dave didn't get his Ramen, the waiter thought he and his brother were going to split one order. The did finally bring it to him, and he was a happy camper.
Osaka Sushi has a huge menu from appetizers to Sukiyaki. I was very impressed with the food and the friendly staff.

Osaka Sushi
8785 Center Parkway
Sacramento  CA  95823
916 689-8228

Miyagi Bar and Sushi
2580 Fair Oaks Blvd
Sacramento  CA  95825
916 485-2299

Osaka Sushi Woodland
608 Main Street
Woodland  CA  95695
530 668-6288

Valentine's Dinner for Two

I attended the Valentines dinner class at the Sacramento Food Co-op last night. They had a large class, 20 couples. My date for the night was Sue. When we arrived the tables were all beautifully set with flowers and candles. We also each had a small cheese plate of Farro Cracker, Robiolo and Gorganzola Dulce cheeses and dried nectarines. A nice little snack.The instructor this evening was Gigi Warshawsky who is always fun and has great recipes. As we usually try to do Sue and I were signed up to be prep assistants which is always fun and we learn so much as we help chop and set up the mise en place for the class. Plus if you do either prep or clean up you get 50% off the price of the class, you can't beat that deal. Tonight the dinner had an Italian theme.

here is everyone busy in the kitchen preparing for the dinner. the mise en place of the ingredients for all of the dishes Gigi will be demonstrating Gigi, working on the risotto demonstrating the chopping of a tomato for the tomato bisque

Tonight Gigi cooked a complete Valentines dinner. On the menu was:

Tuscan Tomato Bisque with Bleu Cheese Crostini Croutons








Risotto with Porcini, Proscuitto and red peppers

Pork Marsala, Polenta with Medley of Vegetables

There were Chocolate Truffles for desert but I ate them before I got a picture of them..sorry

As she demonstrated each dish we were served that particular dish, along with accompanying wine or iced tea. The wines that we were served with the tomato bisque and the risotto was a nice Pinot Gris. A Sangenovese was served with the main course, the polenta and the pork marsala and a nice sparkling Muscato was served with the chocolate truffles.

The Gigi fan club all seem to sit at the same table so our table were the usual culprits plus a new couple to Gigi's class. They loved the whole dinner plus her cooking demonstration and were eagerly looking through the Enjoy, the paper with all the upcoming classes. They said for sure they would become one of the Gigi family. Everyone had a wonderful time and loved all of the dishes.

Here is one of the dishes that was on the menu.

Risotto with Porcini, Proscuitto and Red Peppers

serves 4

1/2 stick of butter
1C onion, small dice
1Tbsp minced garlic
1/2lb proscuitto, diced

1oz dried porcini mushroom (soaked in hot water then diced- save the liquid)

1/2C red bell peppers, small diced (you can omit if you don't like peppers)

red pepper flakes to taste

1/2tsp dried Oregano

1lb Aborio rice

3/4C white wine

2qts (8C) Chicken broth

black pepper to taste

1C Parmesan cheese shredded or shaved

Heat a heavy pan or Dutch oven and add the butter

Add the onions and saute for 1 minute

Add the garlic, red peppers, proscuitto, red pepper flakes, oregano and saute for another minute

Add the mushrooms and rice and saute for another minute

Add the wine and stir with a wooden spoon

add about 3 C of the broth stirring

Cover and lightly simmer.

Check in a few minutes and when the liquid is reduced by half add more broth, stir.

Keep checking and adding broth and stirring until the rice is tender about 20-30 min.

When the rice is done (for a thinner consistency add more broth )stir in the Parmesan Cheese and black pepper.

Adjust seasonings.

Don't be afraid to try Risotto..it is just cooking rice..just be sure to stir it every once in a while and keep adding broth as it cooks.

You will love this!!

Besides Gigi's class there are a number of different classes and instructors at the co-op..pick up an Enjoy or go on line and sign up for one of the many classes, you will have a great time and a wonderful meal at each class.

Sacramento Food Co-op
1900 Alhambra Blvd

916 455-2667

Sacramento's First Food Truck

Mimi Burger food truck just launched their new burger truck February 3rd. For the week they were located at Niello BMW/Mini at 2020 Fulton Ave. right here in Sacramento. Our very first gourmet food truck.

Saturday I decided I'd check this new venture as I'm a big fan of food trucks and getting them into Sacramento. With the city ordinances being what they are right now a food truck cannot be parked on the street for more than half an hour. Since they are parked on private property at the Niello dealership they can stay there as long as they wish. They are scheduled to be there today from 11:00am until 7:00pm. I arrived around 1 and there were about a dozen people there. There is no where to park at the dealership so you will need to park off site and walk over. There were several people eating while others waited for their food. The burgers that I saw looked really good. The burgers are available in: natural Angus from the 5 dot ranch, Buffalo, or a chicken breast (free range). There are 4 styles of burgers, 2 buns and a lettuce wrap, sides, salads and drinks. They also have 2 specials that sounded good. Check out the menu page for details. The burgers come in 2 or 3 packs. I decided on the 2 pack, one would be the Cowbell with the Angus beef on a Brioche bun, the other Da Philly with buffalo burger on a Brioche bun.

The Cowbell consists of: bacon, pepperjack, onion straws, bbq sauce and lettuce. I ordered a side of the Sweet Potato Tots

Da Philly is onions, mushrooms and garlic with

provolone cheese. I also ordered a side of the hand cut fries .

As I was waiting for my burgers I was looking around and everyone seemed to be enjoying their burgers and more and more people were walking up.

The burgers came out pretty quick and they look delicious..don't they?

They both had good flavor and they were the perfect size patty; but the Angus burger was too well done and dry. The buffalo was done to a nice medium rare. The bun was a little dry also. As you bit into it, it tended to crumble and had bread crumbs everywhere. The hand cut fries were great in flavor but kind of soggy and not very hot. Now the sweet potato tots..They Rocked! Those were the best..hot, crunchy, salty, sweet..I'd go back just for those.

All in all the burgers were good and I'd like to try the other ones. What I'd really like to try is the crab burger. It says seasonal so right now crab is in season but won't be for long. I will have to track them down again for that one and more tots.

My first impression, burgers were good but nothing I'd rave about. The tots yes..raving!!

Go here to find out where they will be this coming week.

Also if you are into food trucks or just curious be sure to check out the Sacramento Mobile Food Festival which will be held on April 30 at Freemont park 16th & Q from noon until 6:00pm . The festival will feature local trucks as well as Bay Area food trucks. Hopefully we can convince the City that we need and want food trucks in Sacramento and the ordinances need to be changed.