Asian A-1

I thought that since I'm posting about fresh pan seared tuna I better give you a dipping sauce for it!  I make this sauce for tuna, cold shrimp, even egg rolls!  It's really good with plainly grilled meats because it provides all those flavor notes our tongues like.

Here's what I've been putting in lately!

I like to start with some fresh ginger. Peel it and mince it up. A teaspoon or so. Though up to a tablespoon would be fine. I love fresh ginger. It has a lovely citrus flavor to it. So it adds a little sour and a little bitter. The fresh root has a very mild spiciness to it.

A little minced garlic goes in too.  I'm using my brand new garlic press! Garlic is pure yummy bitterness!

Now for some soy sauce. You want a tasty soy sauce for this since you're not cooking it. I am fond of Kikkoman which is a Japanese style I've been told. As long as you're using a soy you like to add to food after it's cooked you'll be fine.

Now for a little minced scallion.  I just did the white and pale green parts today.  More bitter! You need bitter in here because you're using quite a bit of salty soy sauce.

I'm adding some orange juice. It has that sour and sweet element we're hunting for! Orange is so good in this sauce. I've even added orange zest before too!

I like a little heat! I'm using an Asian relish called sambal. Generally you can find it at the grocery stores here in Missouri!  But feel free to use fresh hot peppers minced or hot pepper sauce. It's all good!

Now when I tasted my sauce I realized it wasn't sweet enough yet. If I had a different brand of orange juice I might of had a different result! So I added some sweetener. Honey, agave nectar, brown or white sugar would do! I even ended up adding a little cider vinegar to give it extra kick. Everything hinges on the orange juice you use so stay flexible!

Add a little bit of toasted sesame oil. It adds a rich, nuttiness that can't be beat!

As this sits the ginger, garlic, and onion flavors will become stronger so it'll actually get more and more delicious!

Asian A-1

1-2 tsp minced garlic
1-2 tsp minced ginger
2-4  Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 a scallion, minced
1/2 tsp hot sauce
1/2 - 2 tsp honey (or other sweetener)
1/2 tsp sesame oil

Mix all ingredients together and serve.

Chick Beer II

Since, I spent all my time these last two days running around to attend childrens' activities I thought I'd continue my discussion of girl friendly beers.  No self-respecting man I know would ever drink a pink beer from a purple and pink bottle covered with fruit. Of course, I live in Missouri where men hold hunting and BBQ in highest esteem.  So today we focus on a bisexual beer . . . hmm . . . somehow that didn't quite come out right. I have heard reports of men drinking and liking this beer.  Okay, two men, and neither of them are hunters but they fish and that's like hunting while working on your tan right?

Blue moon, you saw me standin' alone
Without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own
Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for
You heard me sayin' a prayer for
Some beer I really could care for . . .

Blue Moon Belgian White is a Belgian-style wheat ale. I have no idea what that means other than there is wheat in the malt used to brew the ale!  You may remember my earlier remark that women tend to like wheat beers better than the barley dominant beers mass produced here in the old USA.

This beer may be a little different for many in that it's "unfiltered." Being unfiltered leaves it with a slight cloudiness. It makes it mysterious. Who doesn't want a little mystery? 

This is another beer that is flavored with all sorts of goodness! Blue Moon has orange and coriander in it.  Coriander seed grows into that beautiful all purpose herb cilantro.  I have heard several chef's describe coriander as having bright citrusy notes. It's great in Mexican and Indian foods. Consequently, this beer is lovely with either of those cuisines. 

This is another beer that has very little bitterness. You won't see any mention of "hops" on the label.  If there are some in there they are muted and gentle. This beer DOES taste like beer. But, it's a kinder, gentler, beer. A more compassionate beer if you will. It is smooth. It is so smooth that given good music and good bar food three girlfriends could down four pitchers of it.  If they weren't paying attention that is . . . This is something to watch because it's alcohol level is actually a little higher than average American beers.

Traditionally, a glass of Blue Moon is served garnished with a slice of orange. I understand it's brewed from oats and wheat. Hmm, oats, wheat, oranges . . . it sounds like breakfast! No wonder they toast "to your health!" Try some the next time you're out.

* Queenbeemo is pretty sure that beer is not a recommended breakfast food.