Kiwi Shrimp Salad 猕猴桃虾沙拉

This simple tropical salad is light, tangy, refreshing and healthy. It's perfect for your 7 days soup diet or cleaning eating life style. Shrimp can be cut into bite sizes or serve as whole. Trick to make the tender shrimp is to place hot shrimp into icy cold water, also will give your shrimp a pretty pink color.

Simple ingredients:

• 6 large shrimps, peel off the shells
• 2 kiwi, peeled and cut into cubes
• Others: ginger, salt, vinegar, sesame oil, and water for boil the shrimps

Easy to make:

1. Place some ice cubes with water and set aside.
2. In a small pot, place enough water to boil the shrimps. Add pinch of salt and few slices of ginger in the water and bring to boil. Place peeled shrimps in the boiling water for few minutes until cooked (curled and turn light pink). Remove cooked shrimps from boiling water and place in the icy cold water right away.
3. After shrimps chilled, place in a mixing bowl with cubed kiwi. Sprinkle some salt, drizzle some vinegar and sesame oil. mix up and ready to serve.

Kiwi is king of all fruit. It contains 120% of daily value of vitamin C and only 45 calories in one kiwifruit.

7 days Soup Diet

No exercise and low calorie diet for just 7 days. Lose weight up to 14 pounds. If you want to lose more weight, you may start again after 2 weeks breaks. All natural and inexpensive.

Simple ingredients:

• 1 can diced tomato, plus 2 can water (use the same can)
• 1/4 of a large head cabbage, cut into bite size
• 2 medium carrots, cut into bite size
• 3 mushrooms, sliced (or 1 small can sliced mushrooms)
• 1 Tbsp. Tom Yum paste (instant hot and sour paste that may purchased in Asian grocery stores)
• Optional: chopped green onion, bell peppers, zucchini, winter melon, radish, celery, ginger or/and hot chill pepper to your taste

Easy to make:
Place all ingredients in a medium pot and bring to boil. Turn the heat to medium and cook until all vegetables turn soft. Drop some sesame oil before serving.

Tips:

• No salt or little salt in this soup. Tom Yum paste will give enough flavor to this soup. Chill pepper will make the soup more delicious.
• No alcohol, no starchy food and vegetables,  and no sugar food during 7 days, such as rice, noddles, bread, avocado, potato, melons, etc.
• No soda and juice. Drink lots of water. Tea without sugar is ok.
• The more soup you eat, the more weight you will lose. When you feel hungry,eat soup. You may cook a big pot of soup and refrigerate them. I like eat soup freshly made daily.
• If you have craving for sweet, eat a low sugar fresh fruit, such as apple or pear after the 3rd day. Have a low sugar protein drink mixed with skim milk or water, or drink a glass of carrot or veggie juice. Or just take a nap to get over the craving...more sleep is good.
• If you are carving for protein, after 3rd day, you may eat two egg whites for breakfast, 4 oz. lean meat for dinner, such as lean steak, chicken breast or white fish.
• Basically, the 1st and 2nd days are detoxing. Depending on how bad your body condition, I have experienced headaches and fever. It's okay to take some medicine to help you get through those two day. I felt much better after 3rd. I have lost 12 pounds after 7 days. The hardest part of this diet is the 1st three days. I have given up many times on the 2nd day since I love food so much. But the week that I stayed with it, it works!
• Always consult with your doctor before you start any diet. If you get to stressed at beginning days, it's okay to give up and start later again. Life is too short...dieting should make you happy! Don't make your life harder just because of dieting.
• After you are successfully complete these 7 days diet, you will have more energy and more happier. Also you will change your eating habits and enjoy eating clean.

3-ingredients Roulade with Cream Cheese Filling

This roll cake is made from 3-ingredients cake with 3-ingredients cream cheese filling...no eggs...easy to make. It can be used ice cream or gelato. Gelato is Italian style ice cream and will give the cake a velvety texture. You may use any of your favorite ice creams or fillings to make this roll cake. 

For the cake:

• 1 pint (1 1/2 cup) chocolate ice cream
• 1 cup cake flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. Baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a parchment paper on a jelly roll baking pan or cookie sheet. Lightly spray with no-stick cooking oil.

Leave the ice cream at room temperature until melt. Add cake flour and baking powder. Whisk until well blend and no lumps. Pour the batter on the baking pan and spread with a spatula. Bake for 12-15 minutes until a toothpick come out clean. 

Roll the cake sheet while it is warm. Set aside or in the refrigerator until cool. Then, open the cake roll, spread cream cheese filling over and roll it back to a roll. Leave in the refrigerator for about an hour before cut into slices.

 For cream cheese filling:

• 1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar (more or less to fit your sweet tooth)
• 1/2 stick (4 tbsp.) butter, at room temperature
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)

Mix all ingredients with an electric mixer until well blend and creamy. Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to use. If you like to have less filling, you may use half of this recipe for one roll cake only.

Fudge Brownies

These brownies are made from cake flour and cake flour. Always taste better after overnight.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted and cool
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup flour 
• 1 cup cake flour
• 1/2 coco powder
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted

Make it...

1. Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer. Add vanilla and eggs. Mix until well blend. Add the rest of the ingredients. Continue to mix until well blend to creamy batter.
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly spray a bottom of 9x13 baking pan. If you like it with walnuts, place a layer of half walnuts on the bottom of the baking pan. Pour the batter over and flatten with a spatula.
3. Bake for 30-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool before cut into squares.

For nuts lovers: you may fold in some chopped nuts in the batter before baking.

3 ingredients Cake

Yap! Only 3 ingredients! I can't believe it turns out so goooood...velvety, rich, soft and so easy! I will make again and often...I find this recipe and adopted from http://kirbiecravings.com/2013/08/3-ingredient-chocolate-cake.html

Super simple ingredients:

• 1 pint gelato/ice cream (I used Belgian Milk Chocolate Gelato), about 1 1/2 cups
• 1 cup cake flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

Super easy to make:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Prepare and spray with oil two 6 x 2.5 loaf pans, or line parchment paper under the pans.
2. Leave Gelato at room temperature until almost fully melted. Pour into large mixing bowl. Add in flour and baking powder. Either by hand or using a stand mixer, mix until no flour lumps remain (use a whisk if mixing by hand). Pour into two loaf pans. 
3. Bake for about 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Note: I used other flavor gelato/ice cream to make this easy cake, too. They are all GOOD. If you have a sweet tooth, add 1/4 cup sugar into the batter.

I use the same batter, baking with a jelly roll baking pan for 15 minutes. Roll up with a soft towel and let cool. Then, add cream cheese filling to make a roulade. Refrigerator for one hour, then cut into slices to serve.

Cream cheese filling:

• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 stick butter (about 4 Tbsp.)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix with an electric mixer until creamy. Set aside and ready to use.

Caramel Popcorn Cookies

Another easy and simple cookie recipe. If you like it sweet, you may add more sugar to it. But I like it less sweet with a little salty...so that I can eat more :)

Simple ingredients: (makes 24 cookies)

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup caramel popcorn, roughly chopped

Easy to make:

1. Cream the butter and sugar together with a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer. Add vanilla extract and egg, blend well until creamy. Fold in chopped popcorn.
2. Add flour, baking soda and salt. Mix until just blend.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line parchment paper on cookie sheets. Scoop about 1 Tbsp. cookie dough and drop on the cookie sheet(s) with 1-inch apart. Sprinkle some salt on the top of the cookie balls.
4. Bake for 12 minutes or turn lightly brown. Remove from oven and chill on cooling rack.

Easy Baklava (reduced sugar)

Store brought baklava always very sweet. I enjoy the nutty texture, but not too sweet...less sugar, better for your health, too. I used 5 phyllo sheets for each layer. If you like more crunchy of phyllo, you may double the layers of phyllo sheets.

Ingredients

For the filling:

• 1 cup almonds
• 1 cup raw or roasted walnuts
• 1 cup raw or roasted pistachio
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
• 1 package of phyllo sheets, thawed (2 packages in one box)

For the syrup:

• 1/2 cups honey
• 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon

Make it...

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Place the almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and sugar  into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, but not pasty or powdery, approximately 15 quick pulses. Set aside.
3. Trim the sheets of phyllo to fit the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch metal pan. Brush the bottom and sides of the pan with butter; lay down a sheet of phyllo and brush with butter. Repeat this step 4 more times for a total of 5 sheets of phyllo. Top with 1/3 of the nut mixture and spread thinly. Layer 5 more sheets of phyllo with butter in between each of them. Repeat with another 5 sheets of phyllo, butter, and remaining nuts. Top with 5-8 sheets of phyllo brushing with butter in between each sheet. Brush the top generously with butter. 
4. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cut into 28 squares. Return pan to the oven and continue to bake for another 20 minutes or until golden brown. 
5. Remove pan from the oven, pour the cooled syrup evenly over the top of the baklava, allowing it to run into the cuts and around the edges of the pan.

Make the syrup while the baklava is baking in the oven. Combine the honey, water, sugar, and cinnamon in a 4-quart saucepan and set over high heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar has dissolved. Once boiling, boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and let cool.

Allow the pan to sit, uncovered until completely cool. Cover and store at room temperature for at least 8 hours and up to overnight before serving. Store, covered, at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Optional: dust some powdered sugar for decoration before serving.

Easy Almond Cookies

There are many Almond Cookie recipes. But this is the EASIEST and healthier recipe that I comp up with. Almond is one of the supper food and I like to eat everyday. This is a fun and tasty way to eat more Almonds.

Simple ingredients: (makes 16 cookies)

• 1 block (1/2 cup) butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 egg white, at room temperature
• 1 cup cake flour
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder (optional)
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda (optional)
• 1 cup sliced Almond
• 1 cup dry cranberries

Easy to make:

1. Cream butter and sugar with a stand mixer or an electric mixer until well blend. Add vanilla and egg white. Blend well. Add flour, cake flour, baking powder and baking soda, mix until just blend. Fold in Almond and cranberries. Leave in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line parchment paper on cookie sheet(s). Drop about 1 Tbsp. size cookie balls on the cookie sheet(s), 1-inch apart. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool in the cooling racks. 

Optional: drizzle some chocolate or dust with powdered sugar for decoration.

Easy Pickled Cucumber Ribbons

Simple, easy and quick to make...Sweet and sour...light and healthy side dish for your meal at anytime.

Simple ingredients:

• 6 pickled cucumbers
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup any white vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar

Easy to make:

1. Mix sugar and vinegar in a large Mason Jar (or other kinds of jar with cover). 
2. Cut the cucumbers with a vegetable peeler into thin slices like ribbons.
3. Place the sliced cucumbers in the jar. Soar and cover for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Cheesecake Cookie Bars

Made with cookie dough and layer of cheesecake in the middle. Easy and delicious...don't eat too much at once, even I know you can't help it to have more.

Simple ingredients:

• 2 packages of refrigerated chocolate chips cookie dough, at room temperature
• 1 package of cream cheese (8 oz), at room temperature
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Tips: you may substitute with other cookie dough, such as peanut butter cookie dough, sugar cookie dough, white chocolate macadamia cookie dough, or home made cookie dough.

Easy to make:

1. Line a parchment paper in a 8x8 metal baking pan, lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Place 1 package of cookie dough on the bottom of the pan. Flatten with your hand or spoon evenly to fit the size of the pan.
3. In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar together with an electric hand mixture until smooth. Add egg and vanilla, beat together again until smooth. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cookie dough in the pan.
4. Use your hands to form "clumps" from the other package of cookie dough, smoosh it together and flatten them out. Place the teaspoon-sized clumps onto the top of the cheesecake batter.
5. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Bake for 30-45 minutes until the top turns lightly golden brown.
6. Chill in the refrigerator overnight or at least for a couple of hours until firm before cutting into squares.

Dehydrated Carrot 拌胡萝卜丝

This healthy and simple side dish is very easy to make. Great side dish to add to your dinner table or lunch box. By using the dehydrator, the carrots become crispy and chewy without losing any nutrition.

Simple ingredient:

• 1 medium carrot
• seasonings choose from: salt, ground black pepper, sesame oil, La Yu (hot pepper oil), soy sauce, minced garlic, etc.

Easy to make:

1. Shred the carrot, lay in a dehydrator tray flat. Place in a dehydrator or 30 minutes.
2. Add small amount of above seasonings to mix together to your taste. Optional: sprinkle some sesame seeds to decorate.

Food in Beijing, China

I have not doing any cooking for few week during my trip to Beijing, China. There are some many kinds of delicious food and wanted to eat every dish that I saw. Always make me wondering why the Chinese people who live there don't get fat with all those delicious meals? I have to put myself on a diet after my trip...haha...

The vegetables, fruits, nuts, spices, and food at the farmer's market are SO fresh! If I would live there, I will not put them in the refrigerator, just stop by the market daily to enjoy the freshness.

Homemade Sandwich Bread

Why buy bread from the store and you can simply make a fresh loaf of bread at home? You may already have all ingredients at home. Toast the slices bread, then make your own delicious sandwich your way.

Ingredients for the Bread:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 cups luke warm milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. active yeast
• pinch of salt

Make it: I use a stand mixer to make the dough and so easy.

1. Mix milk and sugar in the mixing bowl, sprinkle yeast over the milk and about few minutes. Add flour and salt, mix with the dough attachment on low. After flour mixture form into a smooth dough, cover and place on a warm place in kitchen. Let the dough double the size.
2. Punch down the dough and knead to a loaf shape. Spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking oil. Place the dough in the pan and rest for another 20 minutes with cover. Brush some butter on the top.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove from the pan to cool.

After the bread is cool, slice it and make your own sandwich.

I like use salad dressing to coat the lettuce first, then spread mayo on both sides of the bread, add lunch meat and marinated roasted red bell pepper...yummy and fresh!

 

Oreo Pudding Cheesecakes

For this recipe, I add Oreo Pudding in the basic cheesecake recipe. It is light and fluffy.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Oreo cookie crumb (crush about 12 Oreo cookies with a food processor)
• 2 Tbsp. butter, melted
• 2 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 box of Jello Oreo Pudding
• 1/2 cup milk

Make it:

1. Spray 6 mini foil loaf pans with non-stick cooking oil. Place 3 mini pan in a 9x13 baking pan. other 3 in another 9x13 pan.
2. Mix cookie crumb with melted butter and press on the bottom of each mini loaf pan. About 2 Tbsp. in each pan.
3. Cream sugar and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl with a standing mixer or an electric mixer. Then, add one egg at a time and 3 eggs are will blend. Mix in sour cream, vanilla and Oreo pudding mix until blend. Slowly add 1/2 cup milk, continue to beat until well blend and fluffy. Evenly pour the filling to each mini loaf pan.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Add 1 cup of water into each 9x13 pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool before top with chocolate mousse toppings. Chill in the refrigerator until toppings set. Sprinkle with coco powder.

Here is how to do the "water bath" easy way:

White Chocolate Cheesecake with Blueberry Bottom

Like making any other cheesecake, it takes time to make a GOOD one, but it worth it! Place fresh or frozen blueberries on the bottom, it makes this cheesecake with soft and juicy crust. Serve with some sliced almonds and give you some crunch for each yummy bites...enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of crushed cookie crumb (any kind you like, crush with a food processor)
• 2 Tbsp. butter, melted
• 2 cups blueberries, enough to cover the bottom of baking pan
• 4 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 5 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 Tbsp. flour
• 1 bag white chocolate chips, about 2 cups.
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Make it...

1. Place a parchment paper on the bottom of 9-inch spring form baking pan, lightly brush oil or butter on the side of the pan.
2. Combine cookie crumb and 2 Tbsp. butter in a small mixing bowl, then press them down with a spoon on the bottom of the prepared pan. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing filling.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar and cream cheese together with a stand mixer. Then mix in vanilla and lemon juice. Add one egg at a time, beat until blend, then add another egg. After all eggs well beat and blended, add sour cream and flour, mix few minutes until well blend and fluffy.
4. Crush 1 cup white chocolate chips with a food processor, and mix in cheesecake mixture.
5. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Place a pan of water on the bottom rack of the oven.
6. Take the pan out of the refrigerator, place the blueberries on the top of the cookie crust. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the blueberries. Place it on the middle rack of the oven.
7. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake to cool in the oven until cool completely.
8. Place other 1 cup of white chocolate chips with 1/2 cup heavy cream in a microwave. Heat 1-2 minutes until melted. Pour over cheesecake and place in the refrigerator for at least overnight, until set firmly before cut into slices.

Captain Crunch Cookies

This cracked and cakey cookies are easy to make. I put this recipe together just because I had some leftover ingredients from previous baking, and want to clean up my cabinet. But they turn out really good! I can't help it to have more than one cookie...

 

Simple ingredients:

• 1 stick butter (about 1/2 cup), at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. lemon juice (optional)
• 1 1/2 cups Captain Crunch cereal, crash with small food processor
• 1 1/2 cups ground almond meal
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup raisin, or cranberries (optional)

Easy to make:

1. Cream the butter and sugar with a stand mixer, then add egg and vanilla, blend well.
2. Add the rest of all dry ingredients in the wet mixture and mix well.
3. Roll the dough with hands into balls, about 1 Tbsp. size. Place on cookie sheet with lined parchment paper 1-inch apart. They should be easy to roll into balls without stick on your hands.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly brown. Remove from oven, cool until you can touch with your hands, but still warm. Coat warm cookies with powdered sugar.

Quinoa Stir Fry

Quinoa is considered a superfood. Protein content is very high (14% by mass), yet not as high as most beans and legumes. Nutritional evaluations of quinoa indicate that it is a source of complete protein. Furthermore, it is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is also a source of calcium, and thus is useful for vegans and those who are lactose intolerant. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest.

You will need...

• 1 cup Quinoa
• 1 cup water

Cook Quinoa with 1 cup of water in a rice cooker. Set aside when it's cooked.

In a non-stick wok or medium saucepan, drizzle some cooking oil on the bottom of the pan on medium-high heat. Stir fry any choice of chopped meat and chopped vegetables as you prefer, such as chicken breast, broccoli, carrot, soy beans, peas, cabbage, celery, bell pepper, etc. Mix in cooked Quinoa. Stir fry just like when you make Chinese style fried rice. Add seasonings, such as salt, ground pepper, soy sauce, seasoning all, sazon (if you like Spanish rice color), garlic powder, etc. Drizzle some sesame oil when it is done.

Neiman Marcus Cookies

I found this delicious cookie recipe on Pinterest.com and reduce the original recipe in half for smaller batch. Just happened that I have all the ingredients at home from previous baking. They are great for school bake sales or office parties, etc.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, soften
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. Vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 2 1/2 cups blend oatmeal (no sugar added)
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 12 oz. chocolate chips
• 4 oz. Hershey bar, grated
• 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts

Easy to make:

1. Cream butter and both sugars, then add eggs and vanilla. Blend well.
2. In another bowl, mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Pour into wet mixture and mix well.
3. Fold in chocolate chips, grated chocolate and chopped nuts.
4. Scoop and roll into balls. Place 1 inch apart on cookies sheets.
5. Preheat oven to 375 F degrees. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool on a cooking rack.

Healthy Tofu Stir Fry 素炒三丝

The combinations of food are important for your daily healthy. When you combine tofu, celery and carrot together, you will get a super healthy dish that rich in vitamin A, C, K, protein and help to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. Use the organic celery or Chinese celery for tender and tasty dish. Don't have to measure everything and just put the amount as you perfer and to your taste.

Simple ingredients:

• Chinese Celery, cut into 1-inch long
• 1-2 carrots, sliced
• 1/2-1 cube of firm tofu, or extra firm tofu, sliced
• 1-2 olive oil
• pinch of salt
• sesame oil to drizzle

Easy to make:
Place enough oilve oil on the bottom of a wok and warm on medium-high heat. Add sliced tofu and brown both sides. Then stir in celery and carrots, cook until celery just turn soft. Sprinkle pinch of salt and drizzle some sesame oil, stir to mix and remove from the heat. Don't over cook if you like the vegetables crunchy.

Goji Cabbage 枸杞炒白菜

This simple diet dish is delicious! Eating cabbage could help you shred up to 1 pound of fat per day. If you want to lose 3 lbs in a week, start with eating head cabbage every meal before eating other dish. If you want to lose 5 lbs. in a week, eat cabbage only for every meal. You may use cabbage to make soup, stir fry, salad, steam, or cook with crock pot. I discovered this recipe from my Mom-the BEST cooker in my world- and I never get tired of eating it.

Simple ingredients:

• 1/2 Chinese round cabbage, cut into bite sizes
• 2 fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• some Goji, soak in water until soft
• 1 Tbsp. Olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. sesame oil - MUST have to make this dish delicious!
• pinch of salt

Easy to make:
In a large wok, drizzle olive oil on the bottom, then add cabbage, mushroom and goji, cook on medium-high heat. Add some water(about 1 Tbsp. at a time) if getting dry. Stir fry until the cabbage just turn soft. sprinkle pinch of salt to your taste, and drizzle sesame oil at end...hmmm...smell so good and taste so tender!

Note: You may purchase the Chinese head cabbage in Chinese grocery stores. They are more tender than American head cabbage. You may also use organic cabbage. Goji from Asian stores are very hard and take longer to soak. But the Goji that I bought from the Whole Food supermarket is softer, they can even eat as is, taste a little sweet and they are good for your eyes.

Some benefits for Goji:
Goji berries have been used for 6,000 years by herbalists in China and India to:

• protect the liver
• help eyesight
• improve sexual function and fertility
• strengthen the legs
• boost immune function
• improve circulation
• promote longevity
• rich in antioxidants

You may google more information on the websites.

Chestnut Balls 香栗酥

I saw these ideas from a Chinese food website. The variation of the fillings are not limited to chestnut, you may use peanut butter balls, meat balls (as shown in one of my pictures below), or any other nutty balls.You can also make different shapes...it is fun!

Simple ingredients:

• 1 box Pie crust (normally including 2 sheets), defrosted
• 1 package Roasted chestnuts without shells(can be purchased in Asian grocery stores)
• 1/4 cup sugar (white or brown; add more if you like sweeter)
• 1 egg for coating

Easy to make:

• Crush the chestnuts in a food processor, add sugar and blend together with the same food processor. The mixture should be soft enough to roll into balls (1 Tbsp. size).
• Cut the pie crust into stripes (about 3-inches long and 1/2-inch wide). Use 8 stripes to make one ball as shown in the pictures below.

See more how-to pictures on sbar.com.cn

• Place the balls on a cookie sheet and brush with the egg. Bake at 350 F degrees for 25 minutes.

Easy Berry Dump Cake

No kidding! This cake doesn't need any electric mixer or whisker to mix, not even mixing bowl, my hands not even get messy. Just dump everything in a baking pan and bake it! It turns out SO yummy...specially with a scoop of ice cream...hmmmm...feel like in a dessert heaven!

Simple ingredients:

• 1 box of classic yellow cake mix (or white cake mix)
• 1 bag of frozen mixed Berries (about 12 oz.)
• 1 stick butter (about 1/4 cup)

Easy to make:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Lightly spray no-stick cooking oil over a 9x13 baking pan.
2. Sprinkle some cake mix on the bottom pan with a thin layer. Spread frozen berries all over the pan. Then evenly dump the rest of the cake mix all over the mix berries.
3. Cut butter in to small pieces and spread over the cake mix, place in the preheated oven.
4. Bake 40-50 minutes until the top turns golden brown.

Optional: drizzle some honey or caramel while it's hot to give little more flavor.
You may also use apple, pineapple, cherry, peach or other your favorite fruit for this cake. I like Berries because they are rich with Antioxidants.

Roasted Cauliflowers

Here is another easy making recipe, healthy and tasty too! I didn't measure all seasonings with spoons, just sprinkle, drizzle and shake! Have Fun.

Simple ingredients:

• 1 large Cauliflower, cut them into the big bite sizes
• olive oil, not much but just enough to drizzle
• Sazon Tropical seasoning
• Salt and ground pepper
• Garlic powder

Easy to make:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredient above together. Shake, flip and mix well. Set aside for 15-20 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 425 F degrees. Line a foil paper on a cookie sheet (for easy clean), or just lightly spray with no-stick cooking oil. Spread seasoned cauliflowers on the pan, bake for 20 minutes. Turn the cauliflower once, then broil for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.

Note: when broiling, don't walk away from the oven. Check often so won't burn the cauliflowers.

Eggplant Parmesan with Garlic Peanut Sauce

There are many eggplant Parmesan recipes. This garlic peanut sauce makes this recipe different than the others...it is one of the East-meet-West style and delicious! Garlic and eggplant are great food combination and it will make your eggplant dish tasty and little spicy.

Simple ingredients:

• 1 Asian style eggplant (slimmer than America's eggplant)
• 1 egg, beaten
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Cooking oil for fry

For Garlic Peanut Sauce:

• 1 tsp. peanut butter
• 1 tsp. warm water
• 1 tsp. soy sauce
• 2 large cloves garlic, grated
• pinch of salt (if needed)

Easy to make:

1. Mix all sauce ingredients together with a spoon, until well blend and smooth. Set aside.
2. Heat the cooking oil in a small pot over medium-high heat. Dip sliced eggplant in the egg, then coat with grated Parmesan cheese. Fry until both sides turns golden brown. Serve with the garlic peanut sauce.

Easy Spicy Pasta

You may already have all these ingredients at home and just need to put them together to make this quick and delicious meal...leftover for lunch next day.

Simple ingredients:

• 6-8 oz. of any boxed pasta
• 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
• 2 cups of meat, such as sausage, chicken, ground beef, etc.(it's optional for vegetarian)
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (10 oz.) Rotel Tomatoes and green chiles
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup frozen peas
• salt and ground pepper to your taste
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Easy to make:

1. Place cooking oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat until hot. Add sliced sausage, garlic and onions and cook until lightly brown, smell the fragrant.
2. Add the whole can of tomatoes with the juice, milk, cream cheese, pea, salt and pepper, stir and mix. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to medium--low. Simmer until pasta is tender, about 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
3. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir 1/2 cup cheese. Sprinkle other 1/2 cup cheese on the top. let set until the cheese is melted.

Easy Fried Zucchini

This healthy fried zucchini is crispy outside and juicy inside...simple and easy!

Simple ingredients:

• 1 zucchini, cut into stripes
• 1 egg
• 1 package seasoning mix for chicken (I used 炸排粉 as shown in the picture. It can be purchased in Chinese grocery stores. Already have enough seasoning and salt in it.)

• Cooking oil for fried
• Sweet and sour sour for dipping

Easy to make:

1. Heat cooking oil in a small saucer pot on high heat (enough for cooked zucchini to float later). Turn down the heat to medium.
2. Dip the zucchini stripe in egg one at a time, then coat with the seasoning powder. Deep fried until all sides are lightly brown. They should float when they are cooked.
3. Serve with the sweet & sour sauce, mayo, ranch dressing or others of your favorite dipping sauce.

Tender Grilled Chicken

You may tenderize the meat with Meat tenderizer, meat tenderizer powder, or baking soda. The BEST way that I recently tested is to add some coconut milk and marinate for overnight. You can use any kinds of your favorite marinate sauce. This is what I like and homemade easy!

Ingredients:

• 2 lb. chicken tights, boneless and skinless (about 10-12 pcs.)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 can of coconut milk
• 1 tsp. salt
• some chopped green onion, minced garlic and ginger
• Hot pepper paste, if you like spicy

Easy to make:
Combine all ingredients together and storage in a covered container. Refrigerate and marinate at least over night. Grill them on a outdoor or indoor grill pan next day.

Healthy Collard Greens

This is a healthier way to cook the collard greens - no oil, no fatty pork, not salty - still tender, juicy and tasty. It definitely helps your detox, clean eating and weight loss!

Simple ingredients:

• 1 bag of chopped Collard Greens, about 2 lbs.
• 1 can lite coconut milk
• 6 shiitake mushrooms, soften(soak in the warm water) and sliced
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• Salt, ground pepper and garlic powder to our taste
• 1/2 Red bell pepper, cubed or sliced

Easy to make:

1. Place collard greens, mushrooms and coconut milk in a large stock pot and bring to boil. Turn to medium heat, cover to simmer about 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
2. Then, add brown sugar and other seasonings to the soften collard greens, cover to simmer another 5 minutes.
3. If the greens are soft enough for you (I like it a little crunchy), stir in the bell pepper at last. Turn off the heat, the remain heat will hot enough to cook the bell pepper.

Moist Sour Cream Pound Cake

This pound cake takes some time to make, but it worth to wait for. You may already have the ingredients in the house...why wait! I made two loaves with this recipe. They maybe serve warm or cold.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
• 6 eggs, separated whites and yolks
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3 cups flour, sifted
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Make it:

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together sugar and butter; add egg yolks one at a time and beat well after each addition. Blend in vanilla, lemon juice and sour cream.
2. Add shifted flour, baking soda and salt into the batter. Continue to beat until well blend.
3. In another medium mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peak form.
4. Fold the egg whites into the cake batter. Then pour into two greased and floured loaf pans evenly.
5. Bake at 325 F degrees with water bath (place a pan of water on the bottom shelf of the oven) for about 1- 1 1/2 hours  or until cake tests done.

Magic Custard Cake 简易蛋挞糕

I adopted this yummy custard cake recipe from jocooks.com and LOVE it! As you see clear in the picture, this cake has 3 layers with 1 layer of custard in the middle. You only make one thin batter, bake and just let the magic happen. It's better to serve cold with a cup of hot coffee...yummy and you will ask for another piece! This cake taste like the Chinese Egg Tarts蛋挞, but easier to make.

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs (separate yolks from whites) at room temperature
• 1 Tbsp water
• 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp  sugar
• 1 stick butter, melted and cooled
• 3/4 cup flour
• 2 cups milk, lukewarm
• powdered sugar for dusting cake

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 F degrees. Grease a 8 inch x 8 inch baking dish.
2. Separate eggs and add the egg whites to a mixer and mix until egg whites are stiff. Place egg whites in a bowl and set aside.
3. Beat the egg yolks with the sugar until light. Add butter and tbsp of water and continue beating for another minute or two after which you can add the flour and mix it in until fully incorporated.
4. Slowly start adding the milk and beat until everything is well mixed together. Add the egg whites, a third at a time and gently fold them in using a spatula, repeat until all egg whites are folded in.
5. Pour batter into baking dish and bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until the top is lightly golden.
6. Sprinkle some powdered sugar after cake has cooled.

Avocado Tofu Salad

I got this idea from one of my best friend who lives in Japan. When I heard about this combination of salad at first time, I couldn't imagine what the taste will like. Avocado and Tofu are listed as healthy super food...green and white are pretty and refreshing colors on your dinner table. After I made this salad and tasted...very good and I like it!

Simple ingredients:

• 1 riped Avocado, sliced
• 1 block of tofu, soft or silken (no need to cook it)
• Green Goddess salad dressing from kraft brand
• Soy sauce, sesame oil, black sesame and shredded coconut

Easy to make:

1. Drizzle some light soy sauce and sesame oil on the bottom of the serving plate. Drain the tofu completely and place in the center of the plate, slice with a small knife to your desired piece.
2. Then place the slice avocado in between tofu slices.
3. Drizzle the salad dressing on the top to tofu and avocado slices. Sprinkle with shredded coconut and sesame seeds over to decorate.

Note: if you like crunchy, sprinkle some crashed nuts on the top. Even if you add some cranberries and give a little sour taste, is great idea, too!

Alaskan Cod Fillet with Tofu 辣鱼焖豆腐

Tofu, red bell pepper and wild white fish have many benefits to our health. Together to make a great healthy,tasty and colorful dish. It's optional to add hot pepper for people who like spicy food.

Simple ingredients:

• 1 Alaskan cod fillet
• 1/2 yellow onion, sliced
• 1/2 block of firm tofu, cubed
• 1 Red bell pepper, cut into cubes
• 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
• 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp. brown sugar (or white sugar)
• pinch of salt to your taste
• 1 tsp. black bean paste (optional)
• 1 tsp. hot pepper paste (optional)

Easy to make:

1. In a medium sauce pan or wok, saute onion with cooking oil with medium heat. Once onion turn soft, place the cod fillet in the pan and lightly brown both sides.
2. Then, add tofu, soy sauce, sugar and other seasonings. Cover to cook for 2 minutes, stir occasional. (Don't stir too much to keep the fillet in bigger piece together)
3. Add red bell pepper and salt at last. Gently stir to mix together. Once the bell peppers just turn soft, the dish is done and ready to serve.

Healthy Summer Rolls

The traditional Vietnamese Summer Rolls, also called Spring Rolls, are filled with cooked rice noddles. For people want to consume less starch like me, I put these healthier recipe together. They can be for vegetarians if not add any meat. Or you can add chicken breast for protein, left over meat, or cooked shrimp, etc. Variations are unlimited, but the good sauce will make the big different here.

For the rolls:

• 1 package of Vietnamese Rice Paper (can be purchased at Asian grocery stores or Walmart)
• 1 small container of Living Alfalfa Sprouts (used to substitute the rice noddles)
• Leafy vegetables, such as spinach, shredded lettuce
• Slice meat, or cooked shrimps

1. Follow the instructions on the package to soften the rice paper. It's very easy...just soak one rice paper wrapper in the warm water(one at a time), and it will turn soft and ready to wrap other ingredients.
2. Place small amount of your choice of vegetables and meat in the center of the wrap(depending on the size of the wrap or how big you want to make), wrap it tight like a roll. Serve with Hoisin Peanut Sauce...Clean eating and yummy!

Note: I don't like to refrigerate them because the rice paper wrap will turn hard. Fresh is always better!

Hoisin Peanut Sauce:

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 1/4 cup Hoisin Sauce (reduce to 1/8 cup for less sodium)
• 1 Tbsp. Honey
• Pinch of salt for your taste

Mix hot water with peanut butter together with a fork or chopstick, until well blend and become a smooth paste. Then add Hoisin sauce, honey and salt, mix until well blend. Storage in a container, place in the refrigerator until ready to use.

This sauce can be also used for many other dishes, such as noddles; dipping sauce for spring rolls, summer rolls, or/and egg rolls; or use as salad dressing, etc. If you like spicy, you may add some hot sauce to your taste.