the arugula files

Garden Snack Club in Hilo

The best meal we've had on the Big Island so far, and by far, was at the Garden Snack Club, a Thai fusion place spearheaded by chef Tina.  As I've mentioned, the food on the Big Island has been a little lackluster: solid meals for a hefty price, but not at chef Tina's table in Hilo.  We came for lunch, not expecting too much - perhaps a decent Thai plate.  We ended up staying for two hours, sampling pineapple curry stir fry, tom kah soup with coconut broth, and steamed vegetables with a secret peanut sauce.  

Rambutan: "It's like a giant grape"

One of my New Year's resolutions was to try three new varieties of fruit.  That's easy to do here on the Big Island, Hawaii.  A quick stroll through the farmer's market in Hilo and I zeroed in on these beauties.  While I was assessing whether or not to buy them, someone walked by, stopped, and suggested these red balls of fur tasted like "giant grapes."  Indeed, after we cut off the red fur, they did taste like grapes - sweet and juicy, with a big hard seed in the middle.  I'm not sure how people in Hawaii eat these.  I might serve them on the rim of a drink or at the bottom of a fruity martini.  Delicious.

 

Hilo Farmer's Market

 

Today we stopped at the Hilo Farmers Market, the biggest on the Big Island. In addition to buying exotic fruit, we tried some snacks unique to Hawaii. Yes I'm talking about spam musubi. I made Marcus taste test this treat, as I do not eat Spam. He said it was salty, but was enveloped in too much sticky rice. More Spam, was the verdict. We also tried taro and coconut rice wrapped in a taro leave, which was sweet and mushy. A bit of a carbo load. I wasn't a fan, but was happy to try it. After shopping for dinner ingredients, we stopped at Akaka waterfall, a 420 foot waterfall about 10 miles north of Hilo. I felt like I was on the set of Lost. Thankfully, there was no sign of the smoke monster.

Teshima's On The Big Island

 

 After a long day of kayaking and snorkeling on Kealakekua Bay, we landed at Teshima's: a Japanese joint that has been around since 1929. I feasted on the "deep sea trio," a bento box-type meal that included fried fish, ahi sashimi, shrimp tempura, pickled cucumbers, and miso soup. Like most of the food on the big island so far, it was solid, but not exceptional. But I came hungry and left happy, and I really liked the feel of the place. It had a local old-school vibe. I imagine this place to be the Japanese counterpart to the Italian red suace restaurants that are sprinkled throughout DC and Baltimore. Did I mention that while snorkeling I swam with the entire cast of Finding Nemo (Hi Dora!), plus I saw a puffer fish. Lovely.

Aloha: From Lucky Farms

Aloha from Lucky Farms! Today I tried my first handpicked macadamia nut. We cracked it open with a rock. After many tries - like ten - we finally got it open. It was a little bit like cracking open a coconut: laborious. It tasted very similar to the ones I've had from a can. Oh well.

Aloha: Reporting from The Big Island

Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be seeking deliciousness on Hawaii's Big Island. I'm looking forward to tasting fresh line-caught hawaiian ahi; poke, a local fish eaten raw, and, of course trying poi, which, according to my guide book, is best eaten with kalua pork. And, also, the fruit - guava, ka'u oranges, papaya, and freshly picked pineapple. So stay tuned for more on macadamia nuts and whether or not pupu platters, like the ones you can get in Boston at "Chinese food" restaurants, actually do exist.

p.s. posted from my iPhone! Arugula files 2.0!

Leek Fried Rice with Garlic and Ginger (Plus a Fried Egg on Top)

 

This recipe is making its way around the internets faster than the snow came down in the Washington region. When Mark Bittman posted Jean George's ginger fried rice recipe (with video!), I knew I had to try it.  This simple dish squared nicely with my current mantra of "put an egg on it."  Add a fried egg to pasta, pizza, tacos, and, of course, toast, and you have some creamy protein that will leave you feeling full and satisfied.  All of the components of this dish - the crispy garlic and ginger,  mild onion flavor from the leeks, creamy egg, and salty soy sauce - create one perfect bite.  It's a great meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or second breakfast).

 

DC Food Blogger Happy Hour: March 3 at Vinoteca

 

Does a glass of chenin blanc and a slice of jamon iberico sound like heaven to you?  Then join us March 3 at Vinoteca for the next food blogger happy hour. 

DC food bloggers have a new Facebook fan page, a virtual space to hang out, converse, and get to know each other.  If you are a food blogger (or a food lover) feel free to "become a fan."  We'll be posting future events via Facebook, so it's a great way to keep up on what's going on.

Coming to Vinoteca on March 3?  Please RSVP here. 

A lot of people make these happy hours happen.  As always, thanks to the planning committee:

Arugula Files
Beer Spotter
Biscuits and Such
Capital Cooking
Capital Spice
Common Man Eats
Dining in DC
Gradually Greener
Modern Domestic
Thrifty DC Cook
We Love DC

This is YOUR event.  If you would like to get in on the planning action, leave a comment.