3/26/2013

In the bento: rice with carrot, sauteed daikon, okra, shrimp  lettuce stem, braised pig tongue.

Homemade Dulce-de-Leche

I have been long wanting to make dulce-de-leche, but either didn't have enough milk, or didn't have time to do it. When I finally got to make this, the product came out wrong because I changed the recipe myself. I was wondering a bit baking soda will do the work since the original recipe calls for 1/8 tsp of it. I didn't realize I was wrong until the milk was thickened to the end but the color of it was still pale white.  It didn't affect the taste, however, for a perfect dulce-de-leche (the picture underneath), I will make it again.

3/25/2013

In the bento: carrot with rice, sauteed asparagus with king oyster mushroom, braised pig tongue, sauteed cabbage, okra, chicken

3/20/2013

 In the bento: sauteed cabbage with mushroom, braised pig tongue, rice with carrot and mushroom.

3/19/2013

In the bento: sticky rice+rice, sauteed okra, cilantro with daikon, braised pig tongue, sauteed shrimp, pan fried king oyster mushroom, sauteed asparagus-lettuce

Lemon Poppy Seeds Madeliene

I have been into Madeleine since I got the new shell pan. I guess who won't. After the chocolate and lime flavor, I made a batch with lemon and poppy seeds. The crispy outside is which really hooked me on to these cute cookies. I couldn't be happier for an afternoon tea with some fresh baked madeleines.

Lime Madelienes

This is supposed to be lime poppy seeds madeleine but until I bite to it, that I realized that poppy seeds were forgotten to be added. But the taste was still good, crunchy outside and soft and moist inside, with a decent hint of lime from the zest. I used a method from Pierre Herme which is to mixed the butter in with their solid form in stead of melting them. Magically, it works. Now it is the standard way I make madeleine every time.

3/14/2013

In the bento: chicken, broccoli, rice with carrots and shiitake mushroom.

3/7/2012

In the bento: boeuf bourguignon, cabbage, broccoli, shrimp, rice with black sticky rice.

Tempeh Braised Pork Belly

Tempeh is a very versatile but much neglected ingredient  in cooking. It has a salty but sweet after taste, with a subtle and aromatic fermented flavor. I brown the meat in a clay pot and added the cooking wine to deglaze. The tempeh and a bit sugar was added to slow cook the meat. After another, the house was filled with the aroma and  the meat was melting in the mouth.

Chicken Salad

As a dark meat eater, chicken breast is the least flavor and most boring meat to eat. I don't like waste food but have to be smart to use the meat in some delicious way. A fridge scavenge hunt found me some cherry tomato and other vegetable, which is perfect for a quick chicken salad. I cut everything into small cube, toasted some bread I made last night, seasoned with some salt and drizzled with some Japanese mayo. The color of the salad looked beautiful and the boring meat had a new life.

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.