Battle Blackfish - July 13, 2008

Five chefs accepted the challenge of Battle Blackfish. Todd & Kate presented Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature Black Cod with Miso, inspired by Todd’s dining experience at The Hard Rock Hotel’s Nobu Restaurant. Todd marinated the Black Cod fillets in a Nobu-Style Miso (mirin, sake, miso paste and sugar) for three days before baking. He then arranged the delicate and succulent morsels on a banana leaf bed and garnished them with green onions and fresh flowers...Wow!

Brent & Leonore prepared Grilled Mako Shark Kebabs, with huge chunks of shark, marinated in teriyaki and citrus juices, and colorfully skewered between pineapple, tomato, orange bell pepper and purple onion. We were most impressed to learn Brent reeled in this 140 lb. shark 4 miles off the La Jolla coast!

Kai & Hillari arrived with a platter of Kai’s Fish Cakes with Remolade. Kai made them with Basa fish, "a type of catfish native to the Mekong River Delta in Vietnam and Chao Phraya basin." Isn’t this educational??

Pam, our Salad Queen, tossed together her Wasabi Tuna Salad, made with romaine lettuce, tuna and wasabi mayo, sugar snap peas, carrots, dried fruit, and mandarin oranges.

I must admit, I was not too motivated and inspired this week without John. We enjoy our Sunday afternoons so much...cooking together, listening to music, drinking a little Champagne or wine and going to the park together...it just wasn’t the same without him. I had a tough time making a decision, but went with Wild Rice, Sugar Snap Pea and Smoked Fish Salad, garnished with hard-boiled eggs and cherry tomatoes.

In addition to the wonderful offerings by all of the chefs, we enjoyed a selection of appetizers and dessert, including hummus and pita chips, buffalo wings, turkey and cheese, crackers and rolls, and chocolate cake. We lingered in the park to soak up the last of the sun, and wine, before making the long trek home with our wagons in tow. It was great to visit with Mary & Geoff, who made the trip down from Del Mar. It was also nice to meet Todd & Kate's neighbor, Susan. Thank you all for coming!

Are you ready for Battle RABBIT??? I’m up to the challenge if you are! Don't worry Sparks, it tastes like chicken.

Cheers!
Denise & John