Citrus Salad

This is a quick salad for winter time, when orange and grape fruit are at their peak season. I used one orange and one grapefruit, peel the skin and slice them across the slice. A simple dressing made with vinegar, mustard, and olive oil was drizzled on the top. When serve, sprinkle with sliced almond and shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano.

2/21/2013

In the bento: rice+black sticky rice, sauteed cabbage, snow pea, sweet and sour pork belly, steamed pampano, cherry tomato.

2/20/2013

In the bento: millet with rice, sauteed snow pea, carrot, broccoli, steamed pampano fish, sweet and sour pork belly.

2/19/2013

In the bento: sauteed carrot with snow peas, broccoli, pan-fried miso salmon, sauteed cabbage, cherry tomato, steamed rice with black sticky rice.

Pear Frangipane Tart

The dessert count at Whole Food is a very eye appealing place. The day before I stopped by wanting to buy a pear frangipane tart for after dinner dessert. However, I was told the tarts were not freshly made by the day, they have been sitting there for several days. I was surprised by the fact that the Whole Food sells staled pastry and bakery product. But anyway, since I didn't get what I wanted, I have made my homemade tart this afternoon. The warm tart goes very well with a cup of coffee. It makes a perfect afternoon tea snack. I have used Pate Brisee for pie crust and the filling recipe is from Williom-Sonoma.

2/15/2013

In the bento: rice+millet, sauteed green pepper, carrots, zucchini, cherry tomato, pan-fried miso pork, broccoli, Sichuan style chicken.

2/14/2013

In the bento: brown rice, sauteed green pepper, Sichuan style chicken, mountain yam, pan-fried zucchini, sauteed carrot, cherry tomato, braised pig feet.

Chocolate and Lemon Madeleines

I have wanted to buy a madeleine pan for a long time, but the tradition shape pans on the market aren't appealing to me. After a long searching, I have finally found my ideal scallop shape pan on Amazon. And I can't wait to try the chocolate and lemon madeleins from Pierre Hermé. I have half of the recipe, which is the exact amount for my 8 cup pan. The little cake taste lemony which pairs well with chocolate. I love the pan since it gives a perfect crispy crust for the cake.

2/13/2012

In the bento: brown rice, cherry tomato, sauteed cabbage, Korean sausage, shrimps, pan-fried miso salmon, zucchini.

2/12/2013

In the bento: steamed brown rice, Sichuan style chicken, shrimps, cherry tomato, broccoli

Sichuan Style Chicken

Sichuan style chicken, aka mouth-watering-chicken, means it looks and taste so good that when mention the name, people will wet the mouth. It is not a typical dish I usually make at home since I don't eat spicy food. Just because the chili oil looks and smells so good from last night's hot pot, I have to make it into some use. Cook the chicken thigh and cool in ice water bath to keep the meat juicy and tender. Mix 2 tbs of chili oil, 2 tbs of soy sauce, 1 tbs of vinegar, 1 tbs sugar. Pour the sauce over chicken in the bowl, and serve with cilantro.

2/11/2013

In the bento: stir-fried rice, cherry tomato, miso glazed salmon, sauteed zucchini, Sichuan style chicken

2/7/2013

In the bento: rice cooked with carrot and shiitake mushroom, sauteed broccoli, braised chicken drumstick, sauteed fennel, scrambled egg, cherry tomato.

2/4/2013

In the bento: coconut milk cooked rice with turmeric, sauteed carrot with parsley, sauteed fennel, sauteed asparagus, chicken drumstick.

Guacamole

Guacamole, who doesn't like it? I made this at night so a quick sandwich can be made with it in the morning.
Guacamole says itself.

1/30/2013

In the bento: brown rice, sunny-side up quail egg, sauteed asparagus, braised pork liver, cabbage sauteed with carrot, balsamic roasted chicken drumstick.

1/28/2013

In the bento: brown rice, braised pig liver, sauteed green pepper, caramelized onion with mushroom, quail egg, cherry tomato, sauteed cabbage with long bean.

Dorie Greenspan's Chocolate Sparkler Cookie

I prefer to call it shortbread since it's so rich with butter. The texture is exactly like shortbread but taste less sweet because of the small amount sugar and dark cocoa powder. I made the dough log before Christmas and stored it in the fridge. It's a good way for a quick and yummy snack. The recipe is here.

1/25/2013

In the bento: carrot cilantro cooked rice and red quinoa, steamed pompano fish, sauteed green pepper with black fungus.

1/24/2013

In the bento: rice+black sticky rice, sauteed bitter melon, sauteed carrot with cilantro, steamed pompano fish, sauteed cabbage with mushroom.

1/23/2013

In the bento: brown rice+spelt, sauteed carrot, braised beef tendon, sauteed vegetable, quail egg, sauteed bitter melon, long bean with ground pork.

1/22/2013

In the bento: brown rice+spelt, long bean with ground pork, quail egg, sauteed pea sprout, braised beef tendon, sauteed carrot, pan fried daikon cake.

Daikon Cake

Winter is the season for daikon, when this root vegetable is sweet, juicy and flavorful. They are delicious in stew and soup, but also very tasty when mixed with rice flour to make a quick snack. I  used aobut 2 pound of daikon, with some shiitake mushroom and Chinese style sausage. They are sauteed until soften in the pan, then slowly mixed in rice flour until a paste texture is formed. The mixture then transferred into a baking dish and covered to bake at 375 for about 60 min. Let it cool complete, then cut into squares and pan fried them when serve.

Zeppole

Zeppole, an Italian version of donuts, also a popular Italian street food. It's very simple to make at home. Use the basic dough, the flavor can be creative. I added some orange zest into the dough and sprinkle with more orange mixed sugar when eat. It's like bite into a crispy air pillow, light and delightful.

1/18/2013

In the bento: brown rice+black sticky rice, sauteed snow pea, sauteed cabbage, steamed white fish, braised egg, kabocha