An Afternoon of Appetizers

My husband was telling me they were having a get together at his place of work after hours (because the owner was out of town) hehe, not really. I don't know what they were celebrating, the time change? Good enough reason! A friend that Wade runs with and hangs out at the shop is good with his turkey frier. He was bringing some fresh fish, and other goodies to fry. I have a turkey thawing that he will be frying. So I thought this would be a good time to try my hand at making crab salad nigiri sushi, that my blogger friend Pikko at Adventures in bento making made. Pikko's are much prettier, I'll have to keep practicing. Her creation was a hit though. I put them in a deviled egg carrier to bring them in. Since we were all hanging outside behind the shop it didn't have to be fancy. That is where the fryer was! and the blender!

First off my rice cooker died on me. How frustrating. It would turn on and keep warm, but the cook button wouldn't work. I went to check it and there it sat, all that water still hanging out on top. I transferred it to a pan and cooked it on my stove top, forgot to time it, but it turned out fine! Once in the bowl I added the already prepared sushi vinegar while it's still warm.

Using the stick version of the imitation crab (Pikko says it works better than the chunk kind). I was lucky to have these already. Chop up the crab and add mayo, I added a little wasabi powder to it, but not enough for it to be too much for those who don't like it. I am a wasabi fan!

It took a little while to get used to handling the sticky sushi rice, having a bowl of water on hand to help. I hand made the rice balls (I am using a rice ball maker next time, sounds like a good investment). A little adjusting on what size to make them. With scissors cut the nori sheets into strips, being careful to cut them straight because it will show if you cut it crooked.

Wrap the strips around the rice, sealing it with water. With a tiny baby spoon I filled the cups with the crab salad. Those little spoons come in handy, good thing I saved them!

I topped some with srircha, some with wasabi and left some without, because I know Maranda would like it plain. She did eat some and the plain ones went last. I have to tell you this it was funny. A couple showed up later, they came riding in on their motorcycles all noisy, just to make an entrance. The owner brother and his girlfriend. She is acting all tough in her leathers. Someone is telling them what we have to eat. Now for a few of them this was the first sushi that they've tried. He pointed out the sushi, she says "No I only like real sushi". Now I was good, I only said "this is real sushi". Then I let her do her thing. After eating some 7 layer taco dip, she did try a piece and loved it. (No wasabi for her, she doesn't "do " wasabi) Then she ate another one, then said "I wish we were here earlier and didn't miss most of the sushi" She ended up eating the last one too. I just smiled to myself. Maranda and Wade did bring it up later, and we laughed about it.

Thanks Pikko it was a hit.

I didn't bring my camera, what was I thinking? So I didn't get a photo of the beautiful turkey as it came out of the fryer. It was tasty!

Now on to the afternoon of appetizers. I had a plantain that was too ripe again for Tostones, so I quick fried it up in some butter.

Then added a little liqueur, and drizzled it with molasses.

It caramelized so nicely!

I had some guava paste left from the dessert the other day, so I topped some Cuban crackers with cream cheese and the guava paste. I like to bring these to book club, but cut them a little neater. Jalapeno pepper jelly is good like this too. I also fried up some of the Queso de Freir which Maranda ate most of it.

It was a day full of flavors! That's what happens when you skip breakfast!