Meal Planning of the week: Asian Influence Recipes

Looking for an entire meal for a small dinner party? Look no further with this delicious Asian Inspired feast!

Asian-Style Halibut
Serves 6, takes a few hours to prepare and cook.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 lbs of Halibut
  
• 2 Tbs of ginger
• 12-15 cloves of garlic
• 2 Tbs cilantro
• 2 Tbs Green Onion
• 6 Tbs brown sugar
• 4 Tbs lemon juice
• 6 Tbs rice wine
• 3 green onions, sliced for garnish
• 1/2 cup soy-sauce
• 6 Tbs cooking rice wine
• 6 Tbs dark sesame oil
• 1 Tbs black pepper.

Directions

Blend ingredients together and marinade the Halibut in a zip-lock bag for a couple of hours.

Grill over high heat in fish basket or fish pan - approx about 6-8 minutes per side, baste with remaining sauce while grilling.

Wasabi Mashed Potatoes adapted from Sandra Lee's Food Network recipe
Serves 6, Takes around 30 mins to prepare

Ingredients

• 2 pounds white potatoes, peeled and quartered (do not use Russet Potatoes!)
  
• 4 ounces sour cream
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup buttermilk or to preferred consistency
  
• 3 teaspoons prepared wasabi
• Salt and white pepper
• 3 green onions, sliced for garnish
• 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions

Put peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook until fork tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and put potatoes in a large mixing bowl. With a handheld mixer on low speed or potato masher, break up potatoes. Add sour cream, butter, 1/4 cup buttermilk, and wasabi paste and whip potatoes on medium speed. Add more buttermilk until the desired consistency is reached. Season with salt and white pepper, to taste. Garnish with the green onions.

Some people are a bit scared of the wasabi flavor- but it is pretty subtle. If you are worried, use half the wasabi and taste it before adding it all in! If you like spicy flavors, add even more!

Asian Fried Bananas adapted from Paula Deen's Food Network recipe Serves 6, takes around 10 minutes to cook.

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 6 fresh, firm bananas, peeled and cut into 1 to 2-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
• 1 lime, juiced
• Vanilla Ice Cream
  

Directions

Heat a wok or a large frying pan over high heat and add 4 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, toss in bananas and add the 1/2 cup of sugar. Cook down sugar and add the sesame seeds and the lime juice. Stir together and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Substitute with green tea ice cream for more of an Asian flare.