Ep 16. Karen Akunowicz

In this episode of Simply Ming, Ming Tsai is joined by Karen Akunowicz, a chef and restaurateur known for her expertise in Italian cuisine and her appearances on Bravo's Top Chef. The two chefs come together to create a delicious meal featuring Italian and Asian flavors.

Ming starts off by making his signature dish, pan-seared salmon with a spicy citrus sauce. He explains his technique for achieving perfectly crispy skin and demonstrates how to make the sauce with ingredients like ginger, garlic, and orange juice. Karen then takes the lead, showing viewers how to make a hearty pasta dish with homemade sausage. She shares her tips for creating the perfect texture and seasoning for the sausage, and also highlights the importance of using fresh herbs in Italian cooking.

Next up, Ming and Karen team up to create a unique dish that combines elements of both Asian and Italian cuisine. They make a shrimp scampi with soba noodles, using ingredients like garlic, lemon, shiitake mushrooms, and scallions for a flavorful and comforting meal. Ming also shares his technique for cooking soba noodles to ensure they stay firm and don't get mushy.

Finally, the two chefs end the episode with a sweet treat: gingerbread with an orange glaze. Karen takes the lead in this segment, showing viewers how to make the gingerbread from scratch and adding a tangy glaze made with orange juice and zest. She also shares some of her favorite spices to use in baking, like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Throughout the episode, Ming and Karen share their passion for cooking and their experiences in the culinary world. They also offer helpful tips and tricks for viewers who want to improve their skills in the kitchen. Whether you're a fan of Italian or Asian cuisine, or just love watching talented chefs in action, this episode of Simply Ming is a must-watch.