kruizing with kikukat: Party Food: Ogo Salad

I'm feeling rather thankful the holiday party season is over, but perhaps I'm just a tad more anti-social than most people.

The family party on New Years Day was an endless affair.? I started my day before 6 am because I had so much to do.? Guests didn't arrive until after noon (the time I said we'd eat).? I was pissed, but then again, these are people who can't make it on time when they don't need to bring anything.? Since they were all bringing stuff this time, it was foolish of me to expect them to be here on time. The last guest left a few minutes before midnight, so its accurate to say I had a full day.? I think I'm going to lay low from any parties for a few months. . .its going to take a while for me to recover anyway.

If you are a party animal or still in party season mode and need a dish to contribute, might I suggest ogo (seaweed) salad.? Ogo salad is welcome at any party in Hawaii, and most markets sell ogo year-round.? I think Marukai sells the best ogo, but since I don't always travel to Honolulu for work anymore, I usually just buy ogo from KTA.

This is the "salty" type of ogo.? Sometimes I'll make a sweet-sour version.? D1 prefers that, but I grew up on what we called "ogo kimchee", so when I'm jonesing for ogo, I'll go for the salty/spicy type first.?? If you are allergic to or just don't care for the taste of dried shrimp, just leave it out.? The salad will be fine without it.

Ogo Salad

???? 1/2 lb ogo, cleaned, blanched and chopped

???? 2 tbsp sesame oil

???? 1/2 c shoyu

???? 1 clove garlic, crushed

???? 1 chili pepper, minced

???? 2 tomatoes, diced

???? 1/2 sweet onion, minced

???? 1 stalk green onion, sliced

? ?? 2 tbsp dried shrimp

???? 1 tbsp macadamia nuts, chopped (optional)

Combine sesame oil, shoyu, garlic, and chili pepper.? Toss with prepared ogo.? Add tomatoes, onion, green onion, dried shrimp and macadamia nuts.? Marinate overnight.

BTW, as far as the new years day party food went, I think some people should be banned from food preparation.? We had the ever-undercooked teriyaki meat sticks.? Even a 10-year old knew the meat wasn't cooked, so it blows my mind as to how adults can think its cooked.? After seeing the teriyaki sticks, I wasn't gonna chance the yakitori kabobs either.? I stuck to things that I knew were cooked well.?

Mom wanted a family pic so The Help, with Dus' help, set up all his lights and reflectors by the khasy bamboo outside.? Unfortunately, he was working against daylight, as people were still in the coming-going mode.? He managed to take a pic of every family, but by then, D1 went off with Mr. Dependable.? The Help spent even more time processing the pics so each family could take home a cd of pics.? I was going to post a pic of the family, but I opted for one with two of my favorite people instead. . .nyuk nyuk.? Actually, they were the only ones willing to pose.? Most people ran inside to eat dinner and watch some bowl game.

As for the guests. . .I enjoyed spending time with most of the guests, but there are some people who would benefit from reminders of party etiquette.? In between the after-noon arrival and the almost-midnight departure, most guests left my home and then came back for dinner.? While this may bother some, it only bothers me when people behave as if it is their right, rather than a privilege, to attend.? One guest had the nerve to declare she was going home to bathe and then returning for dinner.? There were a few guests who were downright rude (not responding when spoken to, going into my bedroom uninvited), and one of them even asked me to get her daughter something (even though both she and her daughter were closer to the item they wanted me to retrieve).? Excuse me, but I am not here to serve you and your family!? You and your family are guests in MY home, and as the homeowner, I do expect to be greeted properly.? Teach your kid some fucking manners!? I hope I won't be expected to invite them next year.? I also saw another guest grab a slice of apple pie with his bare hands and plop the piece into his plate.? This is also the same guest who helped himself to San Pellegrino drinks from my bar, rather than drink what was put out for the party.? And yes, I know it was him because I snapped a pic of him with the can in his hand AND he left his shit (plate, utensils, empty San Pellegrino can) by my fireplace for me to pick up after him.? Fucker.

Source: http://kikukat.blogspot.com/2013/01/party-food-ogo-salad.html

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