This past week, my husband and I celebrated our 12 year anniversary. My amazing husband set up the whole evening and I couldn't have been more thrilled. He rented a limo and we drove up to LA for a wonderful evening. We drove around Rodeo Drive and the shopping district, and then had 8:30 p.m. dinner reservations at Spago's. This was my first time to go to Spago's. My first thought was what famous person would I get to see, if any! Since moving to Southern California 20 years ago, I had always heard about Spago's, but had never been there. I always heard that it was the place which was hard to get into, and where all the famous people hung out. So my expectations were high, but knew that my chances were low. 
Half way through our wonderful meal, I got up to go to the bathroom. When I came back and sat down, I looked up and said to Steve, " I think that is Janet Jackson" sitting at the booth directly across from us. The more I looked at her the more sure I was that it was indeed her!! It was around 10 p.m at night, and she was wearing a straw hat, and an orange jacket with a collar that she kept pulling up around her neck. The man she was with had a watch on that was covered in diamonds. It was hard not to see that, and she had two large rings on her fingers both covered in diamonds. Anyway, I tried not to stare, but every time I looked up, there she was right in front of me. When a table of 10 people came in and sat next to us and directly in front of her, they were taking their sweet time to sit down. With all the commotion, Janet and I looked at each other and smiled! Janet Jackson and I had a moment- can you believe that!! Also while driving down Rodeo Drive, we saw Bijon and his yellow Ferrari. So finally after all these years I can say I saw someone famous! Anyway, our night ended with a long drive in the limo down PCH to Malibu and back. It was a wonderful evening and a great anniversary!
Tonight I made a chicken recipe out of my new Wolfgang Puck cookbook, "Wolfgang Puck Makes It Easy" - Curried Chicken Satay with Fresh Mint-Soy Vinaigrette. It was delicious and even my kids loved it! Here is the recipe which you can also find at
foodnetwork.com.It was a little spicy, but had a wonderful curry flavor. The mint-soy vinaigrette was the perfect accompaniment to this wonderful dish. Bon Appetit!!
Curried Chicken Satay With Fresh Mint-Soy Vinaigrette
Makes 24 skewers, 8 to 12 servings
For the chicken satay:
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons peanut oil or vegetable oil
For the mint-soy vinaigrette:
2 large egg yolks, beaten
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 cup regular or roasted peanut oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Soak two dozen 6-inch bamboo or wooden skewers in water for 30 to 60 minutes. With a sharp knife, cut each chicken breast lengthwise into twelve long, thin strips.
• Thread 1 strip onto each of the skewers, weaving the skewer back and forth along the length of each chicken strip. Arrange them on a large platter or baking tray.
• To prepare the marinade, in a small bowl combine the curry powder, pepper, salt, and cumin.
• Spoon the oil over the chicken strips, turning to coat them evenly, and then evenly sprinkle the dry ingredients over them on both sides.
• Cover the platter or tray with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour or longer.
• To prepare the Mint-Soy Vinaigrette: In a food processor fitted with the steel blade or a blender, combine the egg yolks, vinegar, mint, soy sauce, and coriander.
• With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the oil and continue processing until smooth.
• Transfer the dressing to a bowl, season to taste with salt and pepper, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.
• Preheat a hinged indoor grill or panini maker, following the manufacturer's instructions, or preheat a broiler, outdoor grill, or stovetop grill pan.
• Grill the skewers, in batches if necessary, until cooked through and nicely browned, about 2 minutes total on a hinged grill or panini maker, or 2 minutes per side in the broiler, in a grill pan, or on an outdoor grill.
• If using an indoor grill, take care that the skewers don't prevent the grill or panini maker from closing properly.
• Serve the skewers immediately, passing the vinaigrette for guests to drizzle over their own skewers or to use as a dip.
Wolfgang Puck Makes It Easy
Nutritional information per serving: 144 cal., 13 g fat (2 g sat.), 50 mg chol., 1 g carb., 230 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 6 g pro.
