Ep 17. Avi Shemtov

In Simply Ming season 17 episode 17, Chef Ming Tsai welcomes Avi Shemtov to the show. Avi is a chef and restaurateur based in Boston, known for his modern Israeli cuisine. Throughout the episode, Ming and Avi collaborate to create a delicious meal that combines their unique styles and flavors.

The episode begins with Ming and Avi discussing their backgrounds and how they got into cooking. Avi shares that he grew up in Israel and his love for food comes from his grandmother's cooking. Ming then introduces the main ingredient for the episode, lamb, and they discuss different ways to prepare it.

The first dish Avi makes is a lamb shawarma, a traditional Middle Eastern dish that he puts his own spin on. He marinates lamb shoulder overnight in a blend of spices before roasting it on a spit. He serves it with homemade hummus, Israeli salad, and pita bread. Ming helps him prepare the salad and they taste test the hummus together.

Next, it's Ming's turn to make a dish using lamb. He decides to make a stir-fry with lamb, Chinese eggplant, and black bean sauce. Avi helps him prep the vegetables, and they discuss the importance of having everything ready before starting to cook. Ming sears the lamb in a hot wok, and then adds the eggplant and sauce. He serves it with crispy rice cakes.

For their final dish, Ming and Avi team up to make a falafel-crusted lamb chop. They grind chickpeas and herbs together to make the falafel crust, and then coat the lamb chops before searing them. They also make a yogurt sauce to serve alongside the lamb. Ming and Avi taste test the lamb chops and both agree it's a winning combination of flavors.

Throughout the episode, Ming and Avi discuss the similarities between Israeli and Chinese cuisines, such as the use of spices and emphasis on fresh ingredients. They also discuss their shared passion for introducing people to new flavors and cultures through their cooking.

Overall, Simply Ming season 17 episode 17 is a delightful episode featuring two talented chefs collaborating to create a delicious meal. Ming and Avi's easy rapport and shared love of food makes for an enjoyable viewing experience.