Mardi Gras, Sushi...and Grilled Chocolate Sandwiches

Photo credit: William VanDusen

In hindsight, I find it ironic that Bill & I had such a healthful meal on "Fat Tuesday"...and considering the meatless fare of our dinner, it would have made much more sense to eat at Hiro88 on Ash Wednesday instead of Mardi Gras! Nevertheless, it was a colorful, enjoyable evening...which is festive and Mardi Gras-y. Plus, now I can say that I have eaten nigiri, which is basically fish over white rice (the front row of the platter)...so I got to try something new as well.

We decided to order a sushi platter which was 8 pieces of nigiri - (L to R) sea bass, salmon, white tuna and tuna - an Asparagus Salmon Roll (Salmon, asparagus, cream cheese, eel sauce, top left) and a California Roll (crab, avocado and cucumber, top right). The Asparagus Salmon Roll was my favorite...I'm always a fan of cream cheese and the asparagus added a nice crunch. 

There were four men sitting at the table next to us - if I had to guess, they were two business men and two college (or just post-college) interns - and they ordered a boat load of food! It was amazing to see it all go by!  They had at least two appetizers...the Edamame and Lettuce Chicken Wraps...and then a gigantic platter of sushi and nigiri, at least twice the size of the platter Bill and I ordered. And as the food evaporated off of their plates, I heard them discussing whether to order one or two more sushi rolls. No judgement...it was impressive. I was so full after what we'd eaten...clearly they would have all defeated me in an eating competition! :)

And now on to something I can only eat on Sundays for the next 40+ days! :) 

Food52 posted the recipe for a Grilled Chocolate Sandwich that I am dying to try! The only thing I'd change is the unsalted butter to SALTED butter...because unsalted is tasteless, gross and should not exist. :)

Grilled Chocolate Sandwiches

Unsalted butter
4 slices sweet or sourdough French bread or firm white sandwich bread
About 2 ounces broken or chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, or 1/3 cup chocolate chips
Coarse sea salt (optional)
1 tablespoon sugar mixed with 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

1. Butter one side of each slice of bread generously. In a skillet big enough to hold them, cook the slices butter side down over medium heat, just until pale gold on one side.

2. Cover two of the slices with chocolate. Flip a naked slice on top, butter side up. Cook, turning the sandwiches as necessary, until the chocolate is softened and the sandwiches are browned on both sides.

3. Serve immediately, sprinkled with a pinch of sea salt or a dusting of cinnamon sugar, if you like.

You had me at butter.


Enjoy and happy Friday!


~ Katie