Teriyaki sauce recipe

So for those who have been following me since the beginning of my blog and food adventures that follow, are well aware of two things; that I'm Asian and that I have a passion for food ( whether I'm seeking new spots to pig out on or throwing down in the kitchen ). I'm going to teach you a very simple and basic recipe of mine that is versatile and can be used with just about any ingredient to create a tasty dish.
Teriyaki sauce is a major staple in most Asian cuisine and it doesn't matter if you're a meat eater or vegetarian or even just health conscience, it's uses are endless.  Tonight I used it to make teriyaki chicken, so here's the recipe :
( I'm just going to give the ingredients to make this.  All measurements are up to your discretion and how you eventually cook your dish is entirely up to you.  Grilling or lightly pan fry is usually the top choice but baking, broiling and steamed works just as well)
     Soy sauce
      Ginger
      Garlic
      Green onions (for garnish and flavor )
       Sugar

If used as a marinade, especially with meat, at least one hour is recommended .

The other thing I made for dinner, in case you were wondering is Japanese style curry with shrimp and vegetables. It's really another simple recipe. I bought the Golden curry sauce mix which you should be able to find at most Walmart's in the Asian section,local markets or if you're lucky, at most Asian markets near you. The procedure is simple,all you do is boil your vegetables in water first, which I used potatoes and carrots. Once the vegatables are soft to your liking (which should only take about 10 minutes or so),drain some of the water until it looks like you have at least 2 or 3 cups of water and just slowly mix in the curry which looks like a hard brick but it'll eventually melt away as you slowly mix it. Since I used shrimp, I just left it to slow simmer for about 5 minutes. If you ever decide to use beef, pork or chicken, it'll taste a bit better if you cook your choice of meat first instead of adding it in later ( almost as if you were making a stew or soup)
     

Blue Fin

I was raised to always try new things and experience the most out of life, whether it's food related, sights and views , or even the simplest things such as watching a sunset or sunrise. I'm a very down to earth person and I get satisfied easily (that's your perception on if that's a good or bad thing ) and so when it comes to eating especially, the establishment doesn't have to be fancy, a well known place or get a 5 star ratings but if it's highly recommended,  the portions  and price is reasonable or they have good service, then I'm open to check it out. 

Just a few blocks from downtown phoenix, on the corner sits a tiny hole in the wall establishment that I have seen before but have yet to stop in until today and I'm glad I did. Blue fin is a small place that specializes in teriyaki, seafood and Japanese entrees. I definitely have to check out their teriyaki chicken the next time I dine in, this time though I ordered the pork katsu ( tender pork cutlet breaded with Japanese Panko breadcrumbs  and mixed with steamed eggs and garnish )with a side of shrimp tempura all served with a plate of rice and fresh tossed salad with a ginger glazed dressing. I can say with all honesty, this tastes exactly like the way my grandma cooks it and in my opinion it was prepared and made really well. Of course I had to order dessert as well and so I picked up a small order of Mochi ice cream; green tea, strawberry and chocolate ice cream wrapped and rolled into Mochi flour.  The sweetness and coldness helped with cooling me off on this warm day. And if you need a place to take a breather after eating, cross the street and check out the Burton Barr library and head to the fifth floor and check out the downtown phoenix skyline. Hopefully your foodcoma doesn't kick in right away haha. Until next time, Feastm0de! 

Chinese cultural center

Living in Phoenix, Arizona is a lot more diverse than I imagined.  Although this state is predominantly Hispanics, like any major big city, if you take the time to explore it, you'll be amazed at what you will find.  So far, I've been to the aloha festival (celebrating the Polynesian culture ), the Japanese friendship garden, and the tamale festival ( Hispanic food fest as well as arts and crafts) just to name a few places and now, just a few blocks away from the Phoenix sky harbor airport, I checked out the Chinese cultural center.
       Surrounded by beautiful ponds filled with tadpoles, koi fish and turtles as well as memorials and amazing architect, lays the Chinese cultural center, A plaza filled with different stores,  restaurants, a market and places that specializes in Chinese and Asian cultures.   The last place I stopped at was the Super L ranch market for a late lunch.
   This is definitely one of the better Asian market I've been to,  finding everything I'm pretty accustomed to all in one store.  There's 2 places to eat in here,  a bakery for all your sweet tooth desires  and a lunch deli selling everything from plate lunches, to noodle soups and roasted meats such as duck and Chinese roast pork.  I ordered the shrimp won ton noodle soup and a side of shrimp fried rice . At least a half dozen of plump pork and shrimp stuffed won ton accompanied by a heaping of noodles, warm broth and won bok cabbage.  The fried rice with shrimp was pretty authentic to me  too and tasted like the fried rice I got back home in Hawaii and wasn't Americanized like most Chinese restaurants.  My belly agrees with me as well  haha . I'll definitely come back later and explore the Chinese cultural center again and do a bit more shopping and eating as well