“Does anyone love Sushi out there? I do! I do!”

I normally order the classic California roll, Unagi, and Shrimp Tempura. I especially love for everything to be decorated in multi-colored roe. “Crunch. Crunch.”

Being that it’s Sushi and Stiletto Night at Heels, I thought I pair a sushi recipe with stilettos.

“Oh, Honey, this should be interesting!”

Jessica Simpson Josephine Heel – The studs on this stiletto reminds me of Unagi dressed in sesame seeds! Yummie.

Unagi Recipe, Food Network

Ingredients

• 8 ounces sushi rice
• Sushi Su seasoning, recipe follows
• 1 full sheet nori (roasted seaweed)
• 1-ounce cucumber, julienned
• 1/2-ounce Kaiware (daikon sprouts), juilienne
• 4 ounces Unagi (broiled fresh water eel)
• 1 pinch sesame seeds
• 1 ounce Unagi Glaze, recipe follows
• Gari (pickled ginger), to taste
• Wasabi (Japanese horseradish), to taste
• Soy Sauce, to taste
• Special Equipment: Makisu (bamboo rolling mat)

Directions

To cook the sushi rice – wash rice well, drain and let stand for 30 minutes in colander. When cooking rice, for 1 cup of rice add just a little less than 1 cup water in a rice cooker. 45 minutes after rice has been started, remove into a big mixing bowl (plastic or wood is best, metal is also OK) to speed the cooling process. Add 1-ounce of sushi su seasoning and mix well into rice. Let stand to cool. Periodically turn your rice to cool evenly. Do this for about 20 to 30 minutes, then cover.

Place a full sheet of nori (rough side up), on the bamboo rolling mat. Cover the whole sheet except for about 7/8-inch at far end with rice, pressing rice with damp hands into an even layer. Sprinkle sesame seeds on rice from left to right. Place bands of Unagi, cucumber, and kaiware sprouts across leading edge of nori. Roll closest edge to you, up and away from you, very carefully tuck in the roll and continue until you reach the bare end, to seal your roll. Make sure when rolling all ingredients are tightly secured, this will help to keep ingredients intact when cutting. Compress the roll with the bamboo mat. You may shape your roll making it slightly oval or squared off. To serve, slice into 12 even slices. Place Unagi glaze on plate or serve as side dish. Fan out sushi on plate, garnish with pickled ginger and wasabi. Serve with soy sauce.

Sushi hints: Nori has 2 sides, 1 rough and 1 smooth and shiny. The rough side holds the rice better and the smooth side is more presentable on the outside. Also, water is your best friend when making sushi. Keep you hands wet when handling rice so the rice will not stick to your hands. This is important when slicing or cutting sushi rolls, keep your knife wet at all times so the knife can glide through the rice.

Sushi Su seasoning:

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon salt

1 cup rice vinegar

1- ounce sea kelp

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Cook just until sugar completely dissolves. Remove from the heat and cool completely.

Unagi Glaze:

4 ounces sake

4 ounces mirin

1-ounce sugar

1-ounce water

1/2-ounce soy sauce

Combine all ingredients and set aside.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Which means that Cupid is lurking somewhere deep in the shadows! Distract him with a totally fierce pair of heels this February 14th. Everyone knows the traditional V-day colors are red and pink. Follow the rules and find a great selection of red and pink shoes; from heels to flats to sandals to wedges. Wear them on your V-day date, girlfriend trip the movies or that Valentine’s Day dance.

We are not saying you HAVE to follow our lead, but here are a few selections worth of lots of love this Valentine’s Day.

Ready to wow your date with a sassy and gorgeous pair of heels that will easily compliment your already gorgeous legs? Opt for the bright pink Carrie 3 by Guess?.

Why not wear the mascot flower for Valentine’s Day on your very own shoes?! A rose never looked so beautiful and classy as a part of the Sydney Heel by L.A.M.B.

Looking for a simple flat to hang out with the girls? Then try this on for size! Less inches, but still as beautiful, the Ceasar Wedge by Jessica Simpson makes a fun date all its own!

If you are lucky enough to spend the holiday somewhere warm and tropical, this
Paris Hilton Camila Wedge makes for a saucy companion as you walk hand in hand by the beach!

I saved the BEST for last. No matter what plans you have on Valentine’s Day, be sure to give these Betsey Johnson Abby Heels a once over. They are my favorite (mostly cause of the fun heart additions) in the V-day department and would work incredibly well whether you are spending the evening dancing the night away, having dinner by fireside or enjoying a few cocktails with the ladies.

It doesn’t really matter who you are with this Valentine’s Day, but what truly matters is what you wear. Be sure to find “love at first sight” with every shoe you choose; Valentine’s Day and every other day!

I know it’s still cold outside and we’ve still got a little while until we can break out our spring wardrobes. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t plan ahead! A trend I’ve noticed on the Spring ’09 runways from Dolce & Gabbana to Fendi are geometric and architectural shapes. While most of us can’t really afford clothes straight off of the runway, an easy and wallet friendly way to translate those runway looks is to find shoes that reflect the trends. Dressed up or down, these shoes will definitely be the center of attention.

Looking for a more wearable look than the cage heels we’ve been seeing on stylish celebs, the Tammy heel by L.A.M.B. is a great option. Plus, the gold zipper in the back adds a bit of pizazz.

Style mavens always recommend a nude shoe whenever you want to make your legs look a mile long. The Amonia Heel by BCBGirls certainly fit the bill.

Get two trends in one with the Jay wedge by Betseyville. Flashes of neon pink with multiple straps guarantee you’ll be stepping in style and comfort.