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hello!
Welcome to feast's June cuisine of the month newsletter.
This month we're visiting Japan. Japanese cuisine is known for its emphasis on seasonal food, quality ingredients and exquisite but simple presentation. With a premium placed upon freshness and natural flavor, the most valued foods are eaten at their prime, or shun. Eating the ingredients at their shun is believed to be ideal for health as well.
As young spring greens mature, and cherry blossom season is ending, we're seeing early summer fruits and vegetables start to arrive at the markets and take their cue on our menus this month. With an emphasis on simple preparation, many early summer ingredients are at their most delicious served with little adornment, so that their flavor isn't masked.
Warmer evenings ahead call for outdoor gatherings. Set your summer celebrations in motion with our Japanese fusion menus, ideas and resources inspired by some of the season's best.
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season's best: fresh cherries .
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buy
Look for plump, firm, brightly colored cherries with glossy skin. Colors range from pale yellow to deep red to almost black, depending on the variety. The stems should be green and fresh, bending easily and snapping back when released. Cherries are just starting to arrive at neighborhood Farmer's Markets. For a more consistent and abundant supply, try the Little Tokyo Market Place located in the Little Tokyo Galleria in Downtown, or Mitsuwa (see below for information) if you're on the Westside.
store
Store cherries in the refrigerator to keep them cold and humid, conserving their flavor, vitamin C and vitamin A. Cherries are very perishable, use them as quickly as possible, within a couple of days.
serve
Cherries jubilee inside crepes, fresh cherry salsa on salmon, cherry milk shakes, a blended cherry margarita, rich cherry demi-glace on roasted pork or duck breast, chutney or compote over grilled chicken or fish, filling for pie, cobbler and turnovers.
cook
Fresh Cherry Compote Serves 6-8
4 cups cherries, pitted & halved
1 cup fruity white or red wine
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest
Place all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened and cherries are very tender, 10-15 minutes. Serve warm or refrigerate for later. Use with savory dishes over duck breast, pork loin, grilled chicken or fresh salmon. For dessert, try with sweetened mascarpone, over ice cream, or on a fresh baked lemon cake. Store fresh cherry compote in the refrigerator for up to a month.
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what's cooking .
  
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outdoor grilled yakitori celebration
chicken, soy glazed beef, salmon, potato + tofu skewers charred over hot coals
cucumber sunomono
seaweed salad
spicy peanut + soba noodle salad, fresh edamame, sweet peppers
baby carrot + shitake mushroom tamari
sesame grilled baby bok choy
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red bean mochi ice cream sundae, warm chocolate cherry preserve
hors d'oeuvres soiree
fresh vegetable tempura cone, yuzu aioli
umeboshi rice croquette
cucumber cup, fresh shiso + crab
soy glazed chestnut + chicken rumaki
spiced ahi tuna roll
smoked scallop carpaccio wrapped asparagus japanese fusion dinner
shrimp gyoza, golden miso broth, fresh carrot, red pepper + daikon straws
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dandelion greens, enoki mushroom, cucumber, heirloom tomato, bonito flakes, sweet sake vinaigrette
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fresh wasabi + brown sugar crusted wagyu beef tenderloin
grilled fresh mackerel, shallot + fresh cherry relish
steamed brown rice, toasted macadamia nuts, daikon seeds
shiro miso roasted eggplant + ramps
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dessert sushi; sweet coconut rice + sake soaked papaya wrapped in shiso leaves
june luncheon
fresh greens + cabbage, fried lotus chips, pickled ginger, sliced fresh plum, yuzu vinaigrette
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cherry infused teriyaki grilled chicken breast wilted fresh spinach, ponzu, black + white sesame seeds
fresh vegetable noodle pancake
tempura sweet potato
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green tea cupcake, ginger cherry buttercream
Our menus are created using the best, fresh seasonal ingredients. To ensure premium quality and availability, orders must be placed 24-hours in advance. Contact us for personalized menus reflecting your event theme, culinary tastes or budget. Special dietary requirements can also be creatively accommodated.
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details... .
  
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our favorite cocktail this month: yuzu nigori cherry blossom
6 oz nigori coarse-filtered sake
3 oz cherry or cranberry juice
1.5 oz triple sec
0.5 oz yuzu (japanese citron) juice
Combine ingredients with ice and shake vigorously; divide into two chilled martini glasses; garnish with a lemon twist or slice
great ideas
Japan is well known for its artisan paper making. Washi comes from wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning paper, and the term is used to describe paper made by hand in the traditional manner. Washi is generally tougher than ordinary paper made from wood pulp, and is used in many traditional arts. Japanese paper lanterns, cards and name tags are just a few ways to incorporate true Japanese craft into your event. At a recent Asian themed wedding, table place settings were made by rolling chopsticks in handmade paper and simply tied with name tags on handmade paper cards. Hiromi Paper in Santa Monica has a wide selection of Washi www.hiromipaper.com.
hsrthsth feast loves...
With locations scattered around Los Angeles, Mitsuwa Marketplace provides one-stop shopping for Japanese groceries, gifts, and more. Specialty shops inside this unique market offer a wide variety of all things Japanese, including: grocies, fresh fish and produce, books, household items, and ceramics. Restaurants offer exquisite choices of authentic ramen, udon, donburi dishes. Their annual Umaimono Gourmet Fair is not to be missed to savor specialty foods from different provinces of Japan. www.mitsuwa.com
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bon appetit!
Harvey Slater + your friends at feast
  
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