Hawaii 3-0

Sometimes you plan and expect so much out of your vacation it becomes more nerve-racking than relaxing. For Amy’s dirty 30 in Oahu that wasn’t the case our itinerary was simple- eat, drink, party and unwind.

(click on pictures to enlarge)

View from our hotel

Spam musubi all day

Loco Moco from Vit’s Steakhouse

I’ll call it right now, Morio’s Sushi isn’t just the best sushi in Hawaii it’s the best sushi EVER. Not only was the food fresh and amazing but everything about this little hole in the wall was great (BYOB with a liquor store around the corner!). Be sure to make reservations because it only fits about 20 people and if you bring your girlfriend don’t be surprised if drunk Morio gropes her.

A street food vendor selling Kalua pulled pork sandwiches. Yes please

Stopped by Roy’s in Waikiki for some appetizers

Complimentary edamame seasoned with crack

Roasted garlic & herb butter baked escargot

And this is Roy’s version of a PB&J. Hudson Valley foie gras mouse, curried Maui pineapple marmalade, peanut pain perdue with a red wine gastrique. Mouth orgasm

Can’t thank Oliver and Gwen enough for driving us around the island and being amazing hosts…

Romy’s harvest their shrimp and prawns daily out of their ponds in the back of the shrimp shack.

Bubba Gump you ain’t got shit on these…

Until next time…

America, Fuck Yeah!

At first I felt like we were being lazy when we decided to spend the 4th at home and bbq. I really didn’t expect anyone to come, years past I was all about the beach, drinking and risking that D.U.I. but I guess I’m just getting older. Well I’m glad a few people showed up like my childhood friend Jared a.k.a. The Bear, Ruel, his cousin and Shun. There’s nothing better than friends, drinks, music and good food.

Now I’m going to tell you how I cook my ribs. I’ve been doing it this way for years and every time they come out falling off the bone and amazing. Until I figure out a way to construct a smoker I swear this is the best way with an oven and charcoal grill.

First I marinate the ribs the night before with sea salt, brown sugar, garlic, onions, cumin, black pepper, cayenne pepper then wrapped each individual rack in foil.

The next day I throw em (still wrapped in foil) in the oven for 3 1/2 hours at 290 degrees. The foil will help keep all the moisture in and evenly cook the ribs.

Right before they’re done I’ll make a bbq sauce with ketchup, spiced vinegar, worchestershire sauce, honey and mustard seed. Then fire up the charcoal grill outside

Unwrap the ribs and lather the bbq sauce all over em. By now the ribs are completely cooked and ready to eat but the next part is just the icing on the cake.

Throw em on the grill for another 20 minutes to add some nice texture and a smokey taste

Can’t forget the shrimp

My ribs are better than yours

especially with pickle chips and beer

I started working with Shun a couple months ago. He’s from Japan, likes Muay Thai kickboxing and is a young talented chef. He came over and impressed everyone with his sushi skills..

You can tell a lot by the way a sushi chef makes a spicy tuna roll. Everything from the rice ratio, spiciness, quality of fish matters and these were absolutely perfect. It’s by far the best spicy tuna roll I’ve ever tasted.

Blue Fin Spicy Tuna Rolls

Salmon, Yellowtail, Tuna and Uni Sashimi

America, Fuck Yeah- Download Here

Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp

Spicy Garlic Shrimp Pasta w/ Truffle Oil, Garlic Chips and Fresh Basil

Saute onions, garlic, tomatoes, chiles and spices in a pan with oil.

Add shrimp

This little bottle of truffle oil is from a store called La Buona Tavola in Seattle, WA.  If you’re in that area you definitely have to stop by, the staff will let you sample just about everything. Truffle is great to use on mac n cheese, steaks, pasta, soups, just about everything.