EPISODE 2: SQUID GAME!

The binge of the week is “Squid Game” because who isn’t binging it this month…actually, I know who isn't...Uncle Tata-he’s too busy preparing the squid (a little foreshadowing for you there)! 

For those of you who don’t know, the suspenseful drama rips the joyous nostalgia right out of our favorite childhood games. Now I will never be able to look at "red light-green light" without cringing! Therefore, in this episode, we bring back a few that Squid Game missed, so we can still look back on the good old days with some fondness. And on that note we start with the drink of the week...

 HOP SCOTCH, 

mixed with mezcal, habanero-sage simple syrup, fresh-squeezed lemon/lime, and a smoked paprika dash

then we start with heirloom tomato gazpacho FREEZE TAG 

topped with crunchy cucumbers, olive oil and balsamic vinegar drizzle, sea salt

for the main course, we have

TIC, TAC, TOSTADITOS!

Roasted kabocha, cauliflower, and poblano filling, habanero mango and red pepper salsa, fresh kale and pickled onion salad, chipotle crema drizzle; albacore mango habanero ceviche or smoked cheddar sprinkle

the next day we have:

KABUCHA

For this, T uses his love language, cooking, to pay tribute to his Kabucha. Just like Tita in "Like Water for Chocolate," this one is filled with love and despair. Roasted kabucha squash, blistered sugar-snap peas, fresh heirloom tomato lemon broth, basil garlic sauce, fresh mozzarella, and smoked paprika splash.

and after that brief inside appeal, for dessert we return to our theme with

FOUR SQUARE

nocciola brownie souffle with chunky strawberry sauce and homemade vanilla ice cream

On the next day we have...

DUCK, DUCK....GOOSE!

and as promised, here is your SQUID GAME paella! Ok it's octopus, but give me some poetic license plz.

Smoked squid octopus paella with red and green poblano peppers, green beans, marinated eggplant, and leeks topped with pan-seared duck, duck, (goose!) breast and lemon-garlic aoli.

and specially for me, substituted meat with melted smoked cheddar

and oh boy, for dessert we have nocciola brownie with home-made roasted banana-stawberry icecream, and seasalt dark chocolate fudge...just like a grown-ups version of Bob's Big Boy's brownie sundae

-aah the nostalgia!

and we end the week with the all time favorite childhood game...

GO FISH!

Crispy skin whole branzino stuffed with lemon, thyme and rosemary, roasted vegetables marinated in spiced garlic cumin and smoked paprika olive oil, and tzatziki!

and for dessert,

Uncle Tata's Nostalgic lazy pie with apples. homemade vanilla ice cream, sweet and sour balsamic drizzle.

Hopefully Season 2 of Squid Game won't ruin these games for us too, but until then, enjoy playing, eating, and drinking while you still can!

Season 1:  http://zorandinners.blogspot.com/