Japanese Night - Buta no Kakuni

Japanese night was a long time coming. I love so many dishes in this region that it was very difficult to choose an appetizer and dessert (indeed, we made 3 dessert items). Rob handled the entree like a pro, and overall, the night was a big success. Next week: Spanish!

Cubed pork belly seared with ginger, soy, sugar, and sake, then simmered for an hour until tender. Served over ramen noodles with the broth ladled over everything.

http://appetiteforchina.com/recipes/japanese-braised-pork-belly-buta-no-kakuni/

Japanese Night - Nikujaga

This beef and vegetable stew had myriad flavors. Every item - the carrots, peas, beef, potato, onions, and noodles - had distinct flavors that all complemented each other and interacted with the broth in different ways. It was too good to eat quickly.

Japanese Night - Mochi, Green Tea, and Green Tea Ice Cream

In the Japanese style, we went with a multi-faceted but balanced dessert. First, Krissy made some green tea ice cream that was creamy and thick and doesn't need an ice cream maker. She made sugar tuiles as a finishing touch. I made some mochi out of the same dough we used back on Chinese night, but not filled with anything. These were a little sweet, but mostly chewy and delicious. To finish, we had some green tea to round out the sweetness. Bonus picture: Rob and I kneeding the dough for the mochi.

Gamma World - Blood Money Ch 1 - The Ecstasy of Gold

Last week the party successfully completed their first adventure, Trouble in Canyon City. With that behind them, they began a new adventure...

Now that they're on the good side of the Mayor, the party has been given a permanent residence at the safehouse they were staying in last time. They also got a visit from one of the assassins guild's leaders, Kadash, thanking them for creating an advantageous position, but warning them to tread a little lighter when their business intersects. He also gave them a cool knife.

The party also went down to the iron district to flirt with the locals in hopes of getting good deals on weapons and ammo. Seamus was marginally successful. The ladies had less success, but no less fun. In the end the group as a whole found themselves low on cash but brimming with ammunition.

Then Gaia explained that a week prior, she had hidden a large amount of cash in a case on a merchant caravan, with the intent to come back for it later. Now that later has arrived, she'd like some help getting it. So the party signed on to work security for the same company and hope to intercept the other caravan on it's way back... 

German Night - Pretzel and Cheeseball

German night was an exercise in authenticity. It paid off, but we did take a hit in the appetizer department. Next week, Japanese!

Rob and Rachael spent all day making pretzels from scratch and got a case of recipe betrayal. So the store-bought rule came into effect. They did bring a very nice cheeseball!

German Night - Gruenkohl und Pinkel

For out non-German-speakers, this "Kale and Sausage" is a traditional north German dish, and it has the flavors to prove it. Rachael actually said it reminded her of her grandmother's cooking! Bacon + kale +  bratwurst + mustard = MMM. We served potatoes on the side that had been boiled and finished in butter and brown sugar.

http://germanfood.about.com/od/meatbasedrecipesandmenu/r/gruenkohl.htm

German Night - Apple Strudel

Old world-style strudel filled with apples, (rummed) raisins, spiced cinnamon, and buttered breadcrumbs. The crust was thick and had a great bite to it. We added a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and it became the kind of dessert where your mouth and stomach have a fight over whether you're having another piece.

Gamma World - Ch. 6 The Hit

French Robot Spies? Assassination missions? Teleporting bodyguards? We call that "monday night" in gamma world. The party is definitely getting good at thinking tactically. They also got to see what happens when your HP hits zero. Quote of the game: "Rolling dice shouldn't be this stressful!"

After agreeing to assassinate Redmont McDougall II for the mayor, the group was taken to a safehouse to wait for a contact with more details.

While waiting, they send Gaia flitting through the streets on an ammo run, trying desperately not to get spotted by one of the crooked guards. She managed to avoid being spotted for the time being, and on a later trip out managed to score some ammo, making the party very, very weapon-rich.

That's when Jack (or Jacques) the amorous french spy (robot) showed up and briefed them (while trying to de-brief them) about the mission: they were to take out McDougall after he met with the assassins' guild, and make it look like a negotiations dispute had resulted in his death.

Taking the intel from Jack, and a weapons/armor care pack from the mayor, they waited outside the guild's headquarters.

The group jumped McDougall and his entourage (including a giant robot that kept punching people's lights out) and dispatched the magnate by firing lots of their newly-acquired ammunition into the bad guys.

Seamus and Amazea got to have near-death experiences but neither were worse for the wear. They were rewarded with lots of cash and an assurance that they're safe from retaliation.

This was the last chapter of "Trouble in Canyon City" so next week the group will head off to their next adventure. Stay tuned!

Cuban Night - Pastelitos de Guayaba & Cuban Coffee

Cuban night was an excuse to finally make Guava and Cream Cheese pastries. If you buy these, stop right now and check out the recipe. I have eaten hundreds of these from Cuban bakeries and the ones we made blow them out of the water. When you add Cuban coffee, things start getting dangerous. Next week: German!

Pastries (http://forfood.rezimo.com/2009/05/guava-pastries-pastelitos-de-guayaba-recipe/)

Coffee - Get 1.5 shots of espresso per person (we went to starbucks). Pour into a bottle of some kind (we used a sake bottle) and gently heat in water until the coffee just begins to steam. You don't want to recook the espresso. Pour into mugs/shot glasses/etc and stir 2t sugar into each person's cup.

Cuban Night - Ropa vieja w/ Black beans and rice

Literally translated "Old Clothes" - this pulled beef was tender and salty and got better and better the more you ate it. Rachael pointed out to us there's no salt added, because the olives take care of that. Ladled on top of rice and beans, this was comfort food taken up a notch (or five).

Cuban Night - Croquetas de jamón y queso

Forget Cuban Night - these were too good to not make all the time. They were cheap, easy, and super tasty. I expected them to be nice (I mean, c'mon, fried ham and cheese) but they were great. Only problem, I should have made waaaay more.

(http://allrecipes.com/recipe/ham-croquettes/)

Gamma World - Ch. 5 The Mayor

The party duked it out with McDougal III and his bodyguards, and got to meet the Mayor. Oh, and they got arrested! 

After returning to the group (one of the bodyguards chasing her) Gaia and the rest of the party found themselves evenly matched, and almost lost Fingers to them, when the Sheriff showed up with about 40 guards and dragged them off to jail. After being left in a holding cell for a bit, they met the Mayor, who explained to them that Fingers had been working on an artificial body for McDougall I, who was older than anyone could remember, but his son McDougall II had been the one that commissioned him.

McDougal II had been trying for years to make a power -grab for the city, but has only been able to bribe 1/3 of the guards. His intent was to use Fingers's design as a prototype for a robot army to make up the difference in force, and he thought Fingers was holding out on him.

On top of that, McDougall III now had it in for them, and had been looking all over town for them (thinking they'd been released). The Mayor offered to protect them if they helped to resolve the issue by eliminating McDougall II for him, solving his power struggle issues.

American Southern

American Southern. Tons of flavor, and unapologetic use of butter. No one was looking to win any healthy food contests with these dishes, but we we're all too busy licking our lips to care. I finally got a chance to fry up some chicken! Next Week: Cuban!

On the Menu:

Mississippi Sin Dip
Rob made this creamy, cheesy dip baked right into a bread bowl. To be honest it was good enough to eat with a spoon, but the crudité helped us control ourselves a little. Veggies done right.
http://southernfood.about.com/od/cheesedips/r/bln58.htm

Triple-dipped Fried Chicken
The breading on this recipe was perfect. It was seasoned just right and was just the right amount of thickness. It was also very easy to do. I will say that the cook times on the recipe were a bit short, so I'd add 5-10 min to what's posted. Upon realizing that, we finished the chicken in the oven - no harm, no fowl (sorry >.<)
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/triple-dipped-fried-chicken/

Chocolate Chess Pie w/ fresh whipped cream
This pie was similar to the delicious buttermilk pie that Rachael made for us on Cajun night. The main difference was that this was unbelievably chocolaty. The fresh whipped cream put it over the top, and offset the super sweet pie.
http://southernfood.about.com/od/chocolatepies/r/bl00510b.htm

Gamma World - Ch. 4 Fingers and Friends

The party dispatched the guards (hilariously) and then tried to sneak their way to the center of the city. They're getting more clever - wore disguises to be more stealthy. It didn't work, but I'm glad they tried :)

The fight to free Fingers (say that 5 times fast) was mostly Amazea taking turns turning invisible with everyone else. So one minute no one could see her, the next minute everyone else was invisible and there she was standing in the corner.

After they saved Fingers, he made them a deal to take the collars off if they'd protect him from the McDougalls all the way to the police station. They agreed, but got spotted anyway by McDougall III and his two bodyguards.

Gaia tried to draw them off by running down an ally, but only managed to get in a stalemate with one of the bodyguards.

Scottish

We took the dinner over to Rob's homeland this week with some Scottish food. After convincing him not to make hagus, we settled on some pretty tasty, and hearty, dishes. Next week: American Southern!

On the menu:

Scotch Eggs
A classic. Hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage and breadcrumbs, then fried and baked til perfectly cooked. If mustard is your thing, these go great with it. If not, no worries, they don't need any. Amazing with beer.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/scotch-eggs/

Clapshot and Minced collops
Carrots, turnips, and potatoes make a hearty base to this dish. The puree is flavorful and really sticks to your ribs! Topped with sauteed onion and beef, will oats mixed in.
Clapshot - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/clapshot/
Collops - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/minced-collops/

Shortbread w/ caramel and chocolate
Krissy made short bread that would have been delicious all on it's own, and then covered it in thick caramel and dark chocolate. A small slice will do, but you'll take a big one.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/caramel-shortbread-squares/

Gamma World - Ch.3 Welcome To Canyon City

This chapter really stretched the players, as it was nearly devoid of combat, but required them to interact with merchants and guards, in an attempt to get information. They bought gear too. For instance, Rob bought a vase.

After a taste of combat in the wilderness, the players were happy to get to canyon city and begin their search for "Fingers", the person who made the explosive collars that they were pretty keen on removing. They spoke to merchants (who Seamus bought things from to butter them up), guards (who Seamus gave doughnuts to, to butter them up), and Buddy, a colleague of Fingers.

After finding Fingers's shop/home had been tossed, they triggered a homing device that led them on a chase through the city, smashing stalls and cabbage carts ("My Cabbages!!"), and eventually leading to guardhouse on the McDougall estate where they found Fingers, being worked over by city guards in McDougall's pocket.

Thai

Thai food is so often relegated to restaurants. We were glad to bring it home with this week's meal, and add a much-desired air of authenticity. Spring Rolls and Pad Thai were obvious choices, and Rob wrapped the rolls like an expert (his first time working with the wraps!). Rachael's dessert broke my reservations about rice pudding. Next week: Scottish!

On the menu:

Cucumber and Chicken Spring Rolls
Tender chicken, cucumber, and carrots, bundled in a wonderfully chewy casing of rice noodle. The peanut sauce alone was worth the dish, but these were definitely the right thing to put it on.

Pad Thai
Traditional Pad Thai. No peanut butter. No ketchup. Tamarind, fish sauce, sugar, lime, Sriracha. Chicken and bean sprouts were there, but the noodles steal the show.

Thai Tea
A spiced tea with tons of sweet cream to go with our rice pudding.

Rice Pudding and Banana Cream with mango
Sweet rice pudding topped with a creamy banana topping. Mango on top. More addictive with each bite.

Gamma World - Ch.2 Later, Jim!

In this second game night Rob and Rachael came with index cards listing their powers, inventory sheets, and dice. I was so proud!

Seamus's new lady friend helped helped him cause general disarray around Jim's property, allowing him to shut down the computer that would blow up the slaves' collars if they ran. He and Amazea hopped on a golf cart loaded with explosives, and headed to the arena where Gaia was duking it out with a bird-man. Or a man-bird. Whichever.

They blew it up, and together buried Jim.

Unfortunately, the collars that used to use the property line to determine if someone was about to explode synced with each other. Our heroes were (literally) bound together, and made off toward Canyon City in search of the jerk who made the collars in the first place.

Italian Night

We went classic for Italian night. Carbs everywhere! I made a risotto that I make regularly, and Krissy made fresh biscotti that puts the store-bought to shame! Next week: Thai!

On the menu:

Fresh bread in Olive Oil
Break baked in a cast-iron pot and served up with olive oil. Oregano, paprika, and black pepper in the oil for additional kick.

Risotto with parmigiano
A creamy risotto with a white wine base and parmigiano flakes. Worth the wait (if you've made risotto, you understand)

Lasagna
A proper lasagna - lots of cheese, lots of noodles, and just enough tomato to bring it together. The slices were huge, and we loved it.

Biscotti
Fresh biscotti dipped in chocolate. Crispy on the outside and soft - almost cakey - on the inside. Perfect with coffee.

Gamma World - Ch.1 Meet Slim Jim

So tonight was the first night of the Gamma World adventure that would later be titled "Trouble in Canyon City". It was Rob's and Rachael's first time playing anything D&D related, which is amazing considering their general nerdiness (Han Solo T-shirts, Doctor Who marathons, etc). I DM'd and wrote the story, Krissy, Rob, and Rachael played the party.

The cast:

Rob as Seamus the Engineered Human
Rachael as Amazia Gallifrey the Telekinetic Speedster
Krissy as Gaia the Gravity Controller Sand Swarm
Richard as The DM 

The players met each other, and a nefarious figure named (slim) Jim. He promptly enslaved them to do various things around his rather lucrative business - some more unsavory than others. Seamus got friendly with Jim's lady, and together they hatched a plot to bring Jim down. Rachael also rolled a natural 20 her first time out.

Greek Night

I got really excited for Greek Night because it was an excuse to make something I've been waiting years to make: loukoumades. They came out perfectly! If you like humus, use the recipe below and never buy humus again. Store humus cost more for less quantity and quality. We had a BUNCH left over and it was better than the stuff I usually buy. Also, Lamb is delicious and we don't eat nearly enough of it. Next week: Italian!

On the menu:

Pita and Roasted garlic hummus
(The pita is store-bought) Creamy hummus with a roasted garlic bite. (http://www.food.com/recipe/creamy-roasted-garlic-hummus-202343) note: we used sesame oil rather than tahini.

Lamb Pastitsio
Layers of ground lamb and pasta, mixed with olive oil and tomato and topped with parmigiana

Loukoumades
Unbelievably airy fried yeast dough balls, tossed in a light honey sauce and dusted with cinnamon. (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/loukoumades/)

South American Night

South American night came and I cooked not one, but two meats - insanity! It also resulted in the creation of our failure rule: you have to try to make it from scratch, but if your dish fails, you can buy something. So, while we missed out on the crazy chocolate truffle action Rachael had planned, Tres Leches is never something to complain about. Next week: Greek!

Arepas de Queso
Corn cakes made with cheese and served up with salsa and sour cream.

Ribeye & Chicken in chimichurri w/ rice and beans
Ribeye steak and chicken breast marinated overnight in a chimichurri sauce, grilled on cast-iron, and served over black beans and rice (http://www.food.com/recipe/chimichurri-21151)

Tres Leches
Cake soaked in sweet milk, chilled, and topped with whipped cream.

Cajun Night

Cajun night meant a lot of rich, savory foods. We went big on these, and Rachael introduced us to Buttermilk Pie, which I spent the following week eating. This was also our first time having to make up an original meal component, and it came out awesome. Next week: South American!

Cajun Sausage Cups
This one was an original of Rob's! Salty seasoned sausage diced up and surrounded by a dough cup, baked to crispy goodness.

Blackened Chicken w/ Kielbasa rice
Chicken breast covered in a rub and seared, then finished in the oven. Served over white rice fried with kielbasa.

Buttermilk Pie
A custard-like pie that was so rich and sweet you almost can't eat a whole slice. Then you want a second slice.

Chinese Night

So, last week was Jamaican night, and this week is Chinese. As a Chinese-Jamaican, I can't help feeling like I was cheating juuuust a bit. However, I consoled myself with lots of steamed buns, and am feeling a lot better about it. As a side note, I can't recommend the steamed bun recipe enough. If you like these frozen from the store, you've got to try making them - they were easy and waaaay better the the ones I've bought frozen. Plus, you can fill them with anything you want!

Next week, Cajun!

On the menu was:

Steamed Pork Buns (Cha siu bao)
White flour buns filled with savory roasted pork and steamed to fluffy perfection.
(Pork -we used boneless pork ribs instead of tenderloin- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0uWKroQ3IU )
(Dough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu2Bklayavg)
(Buns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JLy5ulHMEA)

Pepper Steak over rice
The most tender slices of beef you've ever eaten, in a sweet and savory brown sauce with red and green bell peppers. Served over white rice.

Steamed red bean buns (dòushābāo) and fried dough
Same buns as the appetizer, filled with sweetened red bean paste, alongside crispy-fried dough balls tossed in sugar. (doughnuts: http://suite101.com/article/restaurant-buffet-style-chinese-donuts-a76561)

Jamaican Night

I was very excited to have a chance to represent my Jamaican roots a bit on this one. When the die landed on Jamaican, I knew exactly which dish to make, as I do it once a week anyway and love to show it off. What I didn't expect was for Rachael and Rob to hit it out of the park with the Patties. They were legit, folks!

Next week: Chinese!

On the menu:

Beef Patties 
A classic Jamaican beef patty (ok they were jumbo-sized but we all agreed this was an improvement). Flaky crust, well-seasoned ground beef, best eaten fresh out of the oven.

Brown Stew Chicken w/ Rice & Peas
A whole Chicken broken down and seared, then stewed in a pot with a blend of seasonings. The liqued produces a mouth-watering gravy when reduced. Served with pinto beans soaked in coconut milk and thyme, and cooked along with the rice.

Banana Pineapple Cake
Soft and dense, this is like a banana bread, but sweeter and a little more cakey.

Indian Night (First!)

I'm feeling very nostalgic posting this: our very first dinner. This was before we started our Gamma World Campaign, but the D20 still showed up at the end of the evening to let us know we'd be making Jamaican next week.

One the menu was:

Curry Potato Samosas
White potatoes curried with onion and poblano, wrapped in pockets of a light dough and fried to golden brown. Garnished with Kosher salt. (http://www.food.com/recipe/indian-samosa-15348)

Butter Chicken Simmer & Naan w/ Curry Potato
Chicken cooked slowly in garam masala, tomato, coriander, cardamom, yogurt, and of course, butter. Garlic naan on the side along with some of the curried potatoes.

Gulab Jamun in honey and Coriander syrup
Spongy milk powder-based dough balls, fried until fluffy, and soaked in a simmering honey and coriander syrup. (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/gulab-jamun/)