[Liz]

Sorry to hear your vacation plans got kiboshed.

Glad to have you back....able to man our wonderful cooking thread.

[leaning conservative]

All this time I’ve been making vodka sauce & never realized it. Had no idea vodka wasn’t even used. I almost always add some heavy whipping cream for richness & smoothness.

[Liz]

Speaking of Brazil, it is home to the largest Japanese population outside Japan.

Rayuela is a fusion place in NYC -- does an Asian deconstructed sushi dish. Inside the silky sliced sashimi tuna is a generous helping of shrimp and crab held together with spicy chipotle aioli. Underneath the tasty orb of seafood goodness is a pillowy-cushion of avocado mousse all atop a thin veil of mandolined cucumbers--floating in a shallow, chile soy sauce broth you want to drink. After the first bite, you start to count the number of mouthfuls left as complex flavors flow onto your palette. Don't share--will lead to regret.