KIMO Bake-Off 2010

Kirk and I have been talking (trash talking) about who is the best baker in the house. Today is the day we found out....it's me!!!! Honestly it was very close, in fact only 22 point difference! And we each won 2/4 categories. So here is a run down of the Bake-Off.
We invited a bunch of our close friends and had about 23 guests and 7 kiddos. Kirk and I slaved away in our respective kitchens on 4 desserts each. The categories were: 1. I love Chocolate, 2. Cakes, Tarts, Pies, Oh My!, 3. Ooey, Gooey, Cookies, Brownies, and Bars, and 4. The Miscellaneous Club. We had official scorecards and all of our guests helped to judge on presentation, creativity, and taste. People were so serious at first....I guess they take their responsibility as a judge very seriously. Each person judged one good sample and then got to try a smaller sample of each desserts. After my friend Loc so graciously calculated the results....the winner was announced. Thank you also to all of you who brought presents for us...you didn't have to! Thanks to Joni and Kishiyama Family 4.0 for taking photos and treating us to dinner after the event.

I love this mug!

We really had a fun time throughout this entire competition

Kirk preparing his dishes

Kirk going in for a sweet tasting!

For the chocolate category I made a Pot de Creme. I used Valrhona chocolate (60% dark chocolate) and cream and baked it in a water bath. I served it with a edible shortbread spoon and fresh cream. Kirk made a Chocolate Terrine. He used Valrhona Manjari chocolate and served it with homemade Earl Gray ice cream.

Michelle's Chocolate Pot de Creme

Kirk's Chocolate Terrine

For the second category, I made a Tuxedo Cheesecake with layers of chocolate cake, chocolate cheesecake, and marscarpone mousse topped with a chocolate dipped strawberry. Kirk made a Passion fruit Mousse cake. It had layers of souffle cheesecake, passion fruit curd, and honey mousse. He served it with a homemade brown butter ice cream. That was my favorite dessert of the day...it took a lot of us back to Hawaii.

Kirk's Passion Fruit Mousse Cake

Michelle's Tuxedo Cheesecake

For the third category, I made a Smores bar served with a shot of hot chocolate. I had an excuse to purchase a torch which I used to scorch the marshmallow whip on top of the bar. Kirk made a Blackberry Financier....it was funny, but I think this cookie lost the competition for him. Good try babe....but you should have made the french macaroons.

Kirk's Blackberry Financier Coffee Cookie

Michelle's Smores Bar

For the last category I made a Japanese Red Bean Burrito. I made fresh crepes, homemade azuki beans, and homemade mochi and wrapped that together. I topped it off with fresh cream and homemade green tea ice cream. It was supposed to look like a burrito with the cream as the sour cream and green tea ice cream as the guacamole. Kirk made a fantastic Champagne Zabaglione. He made a delicious oatmeal cookie crisp and place the Zabaglione on top.

Michelle's Japanese Red Bean Burrito

Kirk's Champagne Zabaglione

We were so honored to be able to share our love of cooking and baking with all of our dear friends. It was a lot of work...but worth it to have everyone try our recipes. I don't know if there will be a next time...but I'm sure Kirk wants a repeat to redeem himself!

The Official Score cards

Kimo Bake-Off water bottles

Evan..."Go team Michelle"

John..."Go Team Kirk"

And the winner is.....Michelle! But it was super close

From the KIMO Bakery...take home freshly made scones and chocolate dipped shortbread cookies

Ryan, Ronin, Marsha, and Onelia

Ken, Kirk, and our official scoring judge Loc!

Kishiyama 4.0 (Dean, Baby John, Evan, and Joni)
Our official photographer and cheering squad

The A-Team (Adrienne, Aaden, and Alex)

Shuya and Shin

Jessica, Doris, Julia, and Angie

The girls (Christine, Nicki, Stella, Mia, and Michelle) and boy (Chase) lounging at the pool

Brice and Kimie

Ronin..."Hey Uncle Kirk...talk to me"

Michelle and Mia judging presentation

The KIMO Bake-Off Golden Spatula..."ooooh...aahhh"

What I've been Doing and Eating Lately...

I have been a little m.i.a. from the blogging world...partially because I have been very busy at work, partially because I have been trying to be good about not eating out. But enough of the excuses. Lots of wonderful things have been occurring in my life. There are always births, preganancies, engagements, and weddings it would seem.

My favorite SW Joni and my old friend Dean finally had their little bundle of joy...John Higuchi Kishiyama. I was so thrilled and touched that I was on the list to be invited to the hospital. They texted me around noon saying they were on their way to the hospital. I thought to myself, if I go after work, I'll make it. As I was driving over there....John popped out! I was driving and getting all excited and nervous. I had to quickly get some m&ms to calm my nerves down! I got to the room and Joni was there already feeding the little guy. She looked so beautiful and calm. Poor chica is not used to medication, so her poor body was still numb. She looked great and baby John is adorable. He looks just like Evan. And anyone who knows Evan, knows that he is one handsome, cute little guy. I got to hold John who was about 2 hours old. He looked so peacefully, opening his eyes to look at me a few times. It I wasn't so dang hyped on m&ms and adrenaline, I would have cried. I'm so glad I got to be there. Hey Kishiyamas....if you are reading this....congratulations. I love you guys...I can't wait to be Auntie Michelle to Evan and John.



So first came the baby news....now onto the food...mmm, the food. Kirk and I starting dating in October 2008. Our first fancy dinner was to this restaurant called Grace, owned by Chef Neal Fraser. I surprised him for Christmas by picking him up and taking him there...but the dummy snuck his card to the waiter and paid. So really he took me there. Ever since, he's been raving about that food there. He always compares our meals to that meal we had there. I would like to think that I introduced him to the fancy world of dining and eating multi-course meals. Recently, he found out that they are closing the restaurant for the rest of the year and moving to a new location downtown. So before the closing on June 19...he wanted to eat there one more time. We each got our own appetizers, me a roasted warm beet salad and him, fried squash blossoms. Mine was really good, but something I could make at home. Kirk's was so good...something not easy to make. They stuffed the squash blossoms with ricotta, battered, fried it, and placed it on top of a sort of meat ragu. It was delicious. For our entrees, I enjoyed a huge braised pork shank and Kirk had the boar tenderloin with spatzle. My pork shank meat just fell off the bone and was dripping with yummy pork fat. I really liked Kirk's boar and especially loved the spatzle. Spatzle is a German sort of pasta dish. The dough is pushed through holes to make little pellets, then boiled in water. At Grace, I think they also pan fried it so it was nice and buttery. Anyone know where to get good spatzle? For our dessert we had to share the trio of doughnuts. One cinnamon beignet, brown butter doughnut, and salted caramel doughnut were served with cardamom ice cream and brown butter ice cream. Those doughnut are fresh, hot, and to die for. I will miss you Grace...till we meet again next year.







Lastly, another yummy treat for my stomach. Kirk decided to make a mousse cake. He baked some dark chocolate cake and layered it with dark chocolate mouse and milk chocolate mousse. Wow! I am not the biggest fan of chocolate, but I loved it. Kirk and I are having a bake-off next month. I wonder if he will make this dessert....my spatula is shaking...hee,hee...bring it special K!

My Top 10 Hawaii Spots

1. The Kahala Mandarin Hotel: This hotel is located on the east end of Oahu near Diamond Head. Kirk and I pulled up to this quaint hotel to be greeted by a wonderful, friendly staff who gave us a lei and a hot towel. Our room overlooked the ocean with a nice balcony. We could also see the dolphin lagoon where dolphins, a stingray, turtles, and fish swam around. Our room had a huge bed, separate shower and tub, and even a toto washlet toilet. We were also greeted by fresh fruit and chocolate covered macadamia nuts. Kirk arranged for a daily buffet breakfast where we enjoyed malasadas, fresh hawaiian gold papaya, and japanese breakfast items to name a few things. This was the nicest hotel I've ever stayed in and we felt so welcome. If you ever visit Hawaii and want to stay somewhere near Waikiki, but somewhere quiet....definitely check out the Kahala.

2. Boots and Kimo Restaurant: This was the first time I've been to this place but have definitely heard lots of people rave around the food. They are famous for their Macadamia Nut sauce which blankets fluffy pancakes. They were so darn good...that mac sauce was to die for. It was somewhat frothy and very creamy. I turned my head for a second and Kirk gobbled up most of it. My recommendation is to get your own!

3. Side Street Inn: Apparently this is where all the great chefs on Oahu go to eat after work. This place also has a full bar which adds to the appeal. But seriously the food is great here. Definitely get the Korean short ribs and the lop chong fried rice. It was some serious grubbing here. Having a larger group would be better. I still regret not ordering the oxtail soup along with the other two dishes. Kirk insisted it would be too much food...but you know I'm only in Hawaii every so often so I should've splurged!

4. Lanikai Beach: I was watching the travel channel once day and they talked about the top 10 beaches of Hawaii. Lanikai beach was number one....and for good reason. The sand was very white and the waters very blue. You could see these two islands (not sure what they were called) in the distance. It was picturesque...it would've been more tolerable had it not been so windy that the sand kept being blown in our faces...ugh!

5. Turtle Beach: On the north shore of Oahu inbetween Giovanni's Shrimp Truck and Turtle Bay Resort is this small little stretch where there are lots of Honu....or green sea turtles. Look out for a area of beach where there are a lot of cars parked on the south side of the street and turtle crossing signs. This time I didn't see too many, but last time I was the here the turtles just swam up onto the shore (the picture is from last time since it was so much better). I love turtles, so I really love watching them swim. I didn't great pictures :( this time, but I still love this place!

6. Waiola Shaved Ice: This shaved ice place is much better than Matsumoto's in my opinion. It doesn't have the history, but to me its got the better texture. I like finely shaved ice....Waiola's is just that. The ice is powdery fine. The other thing I love about this place is that they also have snacks like li hing powder covered sour belts. They are homemade and delicious....I didn't see those anywhere else on the island.

7. Puka Dog: This is a hot dog place in Kauai in Poipu. Just think of a nice polish dog stuffed into a bun pouch along with flavored sauces like Mango relish....lilikoi relish, etc. Kauai is definitely not known for their food...but Puka dog will definitely make your taste buds happy. They have good shaved ice in the back too for after lunch dessert.

8. Na Pali Coast: In Kauai, there is only two ways to reach this beautiful and breathtaking coastline...boat or a 22mile roundtrip hike. Kirk and I opted for the boat ride....although must take dramamine and wear chinese magnet bracelets next time. I was ok until the seas got angry and started throwing the boat around. The coastline is a beautiful side with natural caves, stretches of sand, and beautiful coral. We even saw turtles and whales swimming about. Apparently you can also see dolphins jumping in the water too. We took the Capt'n Andy's boat tour (about 130 per person)...well worth it, if not for the hot hot buffed out sailing crew, then for the comfortable seats, toilet on board, and lunch spread. Although, I didn't even get to eat or drink except for some saltine crackers....ugh. I still enjoyed it though.

9. North Shore: I love driving to the north shore along the coast of Hawaii. You basically are driving next to the ocean the entire time. It's also fun to stop at the pockets of places such as Matsumoto Shave Ice, Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, Turtle beach, and Dole Pineapple Plantation. We stopped at all the places for a quick look and quick bite. It was so relaxing taking the car for a long drive.

10. Leonards Malasadas: This was my first time at Leonards known for their malasadas...a Filipino style doughnut. Like Krispy Kreme's famous doughnuts or Cafe Du Monde's beignets, Leonards has made a mark with their version of a doughnut. Crispy on the outside but much more of a doughy chewy consistency inside....the reason I fell in love with this style of doughnut. They serve them filled with flavors like chocolate and haupia (coconut). Kirk didn't care for the coconut (see picture below), but we both loved the plain one....hot and fresh from the fryer.