So there I was, cooking Cuban food and minding my own business, when I received an email from the lovely folks at Kikkoman. Yes, you know them best as the Japanese soy sauce people.
They were inviting me to try some of their products. Really? You know I'm a Cuban cook, right? (I was intrigued, but not convinced.)
Ponzu, which they explained was a classic Japanese condiment with a zesty lime flavor, could be used beautifully in some Latin dishes. Very interesting, I said, but I still wasn't sure it was going to be a good fit.
In fact, they offered to send me some of this magical Latin-tasting-but-still-Japanese Ponzu for me to try for myself. I considered it, but with some reservations. Japanese sauce? Me?
Finally they said…
If you're interested, we can provide everything you need to stage your very own ¡Kikko de Mayo Fiesta! including:
- $25 AMEX for all of your ingredients!
- Kikkoman Lime Ponzu – the star of the celebration
- Assortment of Kikkoman's special sauces and product
Me: Did you just say, "Kikko de Mayo?" I. LOVE. THAT. Count me in!
So they sent me a giant box full of Kikkoman goodies and I proceeded to make some fabulous carne asada marinaded in lime, garlic and my new best friend, Ponzu. =D
Lime and Ponzu Carne Asada Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup Kikkoman Lime Ponzu
1/4 cup lime juice (I squeezed 2 fresh limes)
4 garlic cloves, crushed
2 lbs. flank or skirt steak
1) In medium bowl, whisk ponzu, lime juice and garlic.
2) Pour over steak and marinate overnight.
3) Remove steak from marinade; pat dry.
4) Grill or broil to desired temperature.
I added sauteed onions & peppers.
And some flour tortillas that I heated straight over the burner on the stove. (The trick is to gingerly hold by the edges and keep flipping until the tortilla just barely starts to get toasty.)
And I served the whole amazing thing with some sliced avocado and Spanish rice.
It was amazingly easy and delicious. You may now refer to me as the Queen of Ponzu (I think it has a nice ring to it) Thanks, Kikkoman!
I am sooo excited to be celebrating "Kikko de Mayo" now. (I still think that's Genius.)
The Kikkoman people (sensing my enthusiasm) have generously offered to send out, not one, but two (!) "Kikko de Mayo Fiesta" (do you not just LOVE saying that?) gift packs which include all the same cool products they sent me, along with a $25 AMEX gift card.
How cool is this?? The cookbook on the left has some inspired recipes that I'm already anxious to try.
If you'd like to be entered in the drawing for this very awesome Box O' Kikkoman Fun Stuff, please just leave a comment on this post. I'll pick a winner on Wednesday, May 5th. (Duh! Cinco de Mayo!)
Not only am I going to use this Magical Lime Ponzu on pretty much everything I cook now (because I can tend to get a little obsessive, and plus they sent me a boatload of it), I am sooo going to try making croquetas with those beautiful Japanese breadcrumbs. 😉
"I'm turning Japanese… I think I'm turning Japanese… I really think so…" -The Vapors
(cross-posted over at the Tiki Tiki)
OK, Marti. I saw the fab KIKKOMAN cookbook, when we were at tu casa, and I am, seriously into this chance at the giveaway!! Count me in, my bosom friend! The recipes in that little book looked scrumptious, and like something I could totally incorporate into my weekly meal planning! I love what you do, with your photographs of fabulous things you produce in your lovingly appointed, and decorated, Cuban, kitchen!Love, Rechelle
I’m totally digging this! After all I’m Japanese lover, I’m mean POCHACCO, can’t get any more KAWAII than that. :)I’m in. 🙂
Ooooh! I love those panko breadcrumbs; they are delicious! Sounds like a fun dish you made there. I am going to try something like that myself. 😉
Ooh….Good giveaway! Fun Japanese Fact: When I was in Japan, I was delighted to discover that they’ll put a fried egg on anything–pizzas, burgers, you name it! Odd, but delicious.
great, it’s only 8:56 am and I’m now hungry for some ponzu fajitas:) Sounds delish! Hoping to see you this month!
Sounds like something I would definitely try! And what a great idea to make croquetas with Panko!! Love it!
seriously…it’s morning and i want me some kikkoman lime + ponzu carne asada!and we use alot of those sauces to make cuban fried rice (which to me is no different than chinese fried rice but made by a cuban!)
Gonzalez Family tidbit…my dad is an amazing Asian Food Cook! …probably cause my grandfather loved all things asian and also from having a chinese roomate all thru college!
going to try your carne asada ! thanks MArta!
Sounds delicious!
count me in, that carne asada looks awesome!
I love making Cuban style arroz frito. That panko sounds great for the breading process for croquetas, but think about putting it into pulpeta (Cuban meatloaf) and why not adding a bit of that ponzu flavoring to it as well. How abut ponzu for some Cuban style pork ropa vieja (pulled pork)? The list goes on and on.Love this blog!
I’m testing my lucky gene…think I can win something again???
Dōmo arigatō, Marta! Pick me! Pick me, onegai shimasu.Win or lose, I am definitely trying those Kikkoman products.
The best Asian food I ever had was at a small place in Miami when I was 18. It was owned by a Chinese couple who actually were Cuban immigrants as they were raised in Cuba. The food was an amazing Asian/Cuban fusion that I’ve never found again. Granted they were of Chinese descent, not Japanese, but I wonder if this Ponzu stuff might have been their secret. Hmmmm now I want sushi. Badly.
The only product I’ve used from them is la salsa inglesa, it’s a must in latin (o al menos la venezolana!!) food! I would love to win this, a recipe book and everything, COOOOOL!!!!
I think I will make Arroz Frito for dinner tonight. And I’m definitely trying some of that Ponzu sauce. Your carne asada sounds delish! It will absolutely work in my Cuban-American/Mexican household! I hope I win!!!
I had my doubts, but you’ve convinced me – that looks delicious!
Oh! I hope I win!! I love Panko breadcrumbs!!
Yummy! Count me in!
A Kikko de Mayo fiesta with some Ponzu sounds too good to resist. Count me in! I’m all about cooking up a storm Kikko style.
This looks awesome! All of my non-Cuban and non-latino friends are going to love this one. They always want me to make the lecon and arroz con frijoles at every gathering- I think it would flip their lids when I pulled this one out! I hope that I win!!
Would love to try their products.Count me in!
That Ponzu stuff sounds interesting! Is that small Ponzu bottle on the left naranja agria??? I love panko breading with chicken. Let me know how it goes with croquetas!
I never win anything anyway, so I’ll give your giveaway a shot. Besides, I love Ponzu, but I’ve only seen the lemon variety in my neck of the woods. The lime one sounds divine, and I love that super size jug!
Love ya!!!!! Kiss! I want to win!
Time for the Japanese to start rolling their “r’s”! Japanese infused Cuban cuisine; you might be on to something, BIG here!
Looks like a great variety of products! And I bet that steak tasted delicioso!
Kikko de Mayo??? HILARIOUS! I’m in!
I was just re-reading this post and thought how appropriate, as my parents are visiting and my dad, being Cuban-Chinese, just cooked us some fried rice. I think he would have loved using any of the products!
This would be perfect for my fajitas!