Thai Style Rice Crackers With Persimmon Sambal Recipes

GINGER TUNA ON RICE CRACKERS WITH WASABI AIOLI

Steps:

• Using a sharp knife, slice the tuna into 1/2-inch strips with the grain, then cut the strips into triangular pieces and place them in a mixing bowl. Puree the ginger with the sliced garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Scrape the sides of the bowl, add the soy sauce, and slowly pour the oil in with the machine running. Drizzle this mixture over the fish and gently toss to cool. Marinate the tuna for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, combine the wasabi with a few drops of water, then add the minced garlic and mayonnaise. Add salt and pepper to taste and the green food coloring (if desired) to intensify the color of wasabi. Place the wasabi mayonnaise in a squeeze bottle if available. Remove the tuna from the marinade, place on a greased baking sheet, and bake it for 3 to 4 minutes, until the inside is pink. Or pan-sear in a hot skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Place the pieces of tuna on rice crackers, and top each with a little wasabi aioli. Sprinkle with black sesame seeds and diced red pepper.
• In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and saute the mushrooms for 15 to 20 minutes until all the moisture is gone. Add the shallots and garlic and saute 2 minutes longer. Remove the skillet from the heat and add in the Boursin, Asiago, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly and allow it to cool in an uncovered bowl. While the mushroom mixture is cooling prepare the Phyllo. Layer 3 sheets of Phyllo pastry, lightly brushing each layer with melted butter using a pastry brush. Cut the layered Phyllo into 4-inch squares using a pastry wheel or sharp knife. Keep pastry covered with a lightly damp towel until ready to fill. Using a spoon, place a small amount of the mushroom duxelle into the center of each Phyllo square and draw the corners of the squares up to the center and twist. Lightly brush with melted butter and place in a lined baking sheet. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

PERSIMMON PUNCH (SOO JEUNG GA)

Steps:

• In a pot, combine the water, ginger, and cinnamon and let simmer for 1/2 hour. Remove from heat and strain the liquid. Stir in the sugar and persimmons. Cool and let sit in the refrigerator overnight. Serve well chilled with a teaspoon of pine nuts floating in each cup.

THAI-STYLE FRAGRANT RICE

Steps:

• Rinse the rice under cold water. Combine the rice, water, coconut milk, ginger, soy sauce, lemongrass, and curry leaves in a saucepan and stir. Bring to a boil over medium heat; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until rice is tender, about 10 minutes. Fold the basil into the rice. Serve immediately.

THAI-STYLE RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring the rice, butter, ginger, coconut milk, water, and salt to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, and the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, fluff with a fork, and refrigerate until cold.
• Heat the peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the garlic, shallot, minced chile pepper, ginger, and lemon grass; cook for 1 minute until the shallot begins to go limp. Add the shrimp; cook and stir until the shrimp has turned pink, then stir in the red bell pepper slices. Continue cooking until the shrimp is no longer opaque in the center. Season with basil, fish sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice.
• Stir the shrimp mixture into the chilled rice along with the pineapple and sugar. Sprinkle with cilantro to serve.