the Brownie Cookies

Adopted from Pinterest

I found this yummy cookie recipe on Pinterest. It is easy to make. I like it less sweet, so I reduced sugar and chocolate, add one more cup of flour from the original recipe. I add white chocolate chips and chopped walnut, just because I have some leftovers at home.

You will need...

• 4 TBS butter
• 16 oz. chocolate chips, semi-sweet
• 4 eggs, large
• 1 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder

Make it...

1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
2. Line baking sheets pans with parchment paper.
3. In a double boiler, melt butter and chocolate chips on medium heat. Cool slightly.
4. In a large mixing bowl, mix together eggs, sugar and vanilla extract.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk flour and baking powder together.
6. Add melted chocolate mixture to the egg mixture ans stir to combine well.
7. Slowly add the dry ingredients folding them into the wet batter.
8. Once all the flour is incorporated, you may stir in extra chocolate chips and/or nuts.
9. Scoop 1 1/2 TBS of dough onto prepared baking sheets.
10. Bake for 12 minutes or until they are firm on the outside. Do not over bake.
11. Leave to cool completely on the cooling racks.

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

This dish is super easy, simple and healthy. You do not have to be a good cook to make these. I used turkey bacon here for healthy eating. You can use pork Bacon as you like.

All you need...

• Bacon stripes, cut the whole stripe in half.
• Fresh asparagus, break into 1-inch or 1 1/2-inch long.

Easy to make...

• Wrap 2-3 asparagus with bacon. Place next to each other in a Air Fryer. Do not need to add salt and oil. Bake on high for 8-10 minutes until turn slightly brown.

It can be served as main dish or appetizer.

Mochi 雪媚娘

Adopted pictures from here

Mochi wrapper

• 3/4 cup mochi flour
• 1/4 cup corn starch
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp cooking oil or melted butter

Put together...

1. Mix all above ingredients until well blend. Steam for 15-20 minutes till solid dough. Cool in refrigerator about 30 minutes. 
2. Scoop a table spoon size dough, flatten with a rolling pin or hand. 
3. Fill the middle with Red Bean paste or lotus seed paste ( can be purchased at Asian Grocery stores). 
4. Pinch the edge together to close the bottom. 

Keep cool in the refrigerator or eat at room temperature.

Stuffed Banana Peppers 虾塞虎皮椒

Banana peppers are not spicy hot. After you use knife to cut the cord out, easy to stuff with meat or shrimp. I used shrimp for this picture. 

All you need:

• 1 lb. raw shrimps, cut into small pieces.
• 4 large banana peppers
• 1 green onion, diced
• 2 tsp. soy sauce
• 1 tsp. corn starch
• pinch of salt, ground black pepper and sugar

Easy to make:

1. In a medium bowl, mix shrimps with other seasonings together. Fill the banana peppers almost full.
2. Heat a pan with cooking oil (not much, enough to cover bottom of the pan) on medium high. 
3. Add stuffed peppers and pan fry until all sides turn brown and soft.

Serve with steamed rice.

Berry Cheesecake Salad

source from MASTERCook

This summer dessert is very simple and easy to make. Also for low-carb diet. I used whipped cream cheese instead of regular one for easy whip and mix, no electric mixer needed. With the original recipe, I think it is too saucy with amount of cream cheese and creamer. So, I only listed the ingredients that are needed, not the amount. You can make as much or as less as you want.

Simple ingredients:

• Strawberry
• Blueberry
• Blackberry or raspberry
• Whipped cream cheese, plain
• Vanilla coffee creamer

Easy to make:

1. Cut strawberries into small bite sizes
2. In a bowl, whisk cream cheese and coffee creamer together into a think texture. (Add small amount of creamer at a time).
3. Add all berries and refrigerator to chill for few hours.

Crochet Bags

Mix the pattern from crochet bags and amigurumi (crochet stuffed animals or dolls), I made these cute small bags that can be used for lunch, snack, goodies, or storage yarns and other craft things. There are many free patterns that can be found on Pinterest, such as how to crochet small bags, amigurumi, ears, nose, etc. Also, you can find videos that teach you step by step on how to make those cute eyes and more on youtube. It is easy to make, but need some patient and time to finish :)

花胶养颜汤 Fish Maw Soup

Benefits of Fish Maw...

• Fish maw contains rich proteins and nutrients.

• It nourishes ‘yin’, replenishes kidney and boosts stamina.

• It is effective in improving weak lung and kidney, etc.

• Fish maw is a good source of collagen, which is vital in healthy skin beauty in all age group of either gender, for pregnant women, the skin of their babies. Collagen is capable of preserving fine complexion and invigorating blood circulation. This is significant in maintaining and prolonging your youthful, radiant skin.

• Health definitely is wealth to any Chinese. And fish maw dishes are believed to be flavor, fortune, healthy.

 You can purchase dry fish maw from eBay with cost about $35 a pound.
Add some Chinese herbs, such as ginseng, gojii, dry dates, and mushrooms are good for body. Also can add some meat, seafood or tofu to make your soup tasty.

Simply place water with all ingredients that you prefer into a steamable jar with a cover. Place the jar in a steamer, steam for about 30-60 minutes at low heat after water is boiling. Add pinch of salt to your taste.

Kale and Broccoli salad

Here is another healthy salad recipe that I love. I had Super Food salad at one of the fast food restaurant. It tastes so refreshing and I cannot stop eat it. But it is kind of expensive the amount they served. I googled on web and found this copy cat recipe so that I can make my own with much cheaper cost. It is so easy and simple to make. It is much tasty if you set in the refrigerator for overnight.

Simple ingredients: (as shown on the pictures above)

• kale leaves, precut ones or cut into bite sizes
• broccoli, cut into small sizes
• cranberries and nuts (optional)

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 5 table spoons maple syrup
• honey
• pinch of salt

Easy to make:

1. Combine vinegar, olive oil and maple syrup in a mason jar with cover. Shake few times until well blend.
2. Mix kale, broccoli and cranberries in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle some salt, drizzle some honey, then pour some mixed dressing over. 
3. Mix all well and set in the refrigerator overnight or few hours. This salad is good for 1-2 days for the best taste.

Detox Drink with milk 治痛风的偏方

I got this Chinese remedy from my brother when I visited in China. The main ingredients are fresh celery juice and milk...very simple! When I first time heard about the ingredients, I thought it may taste weird. But after I tasted, it is very refreshing. Then, I add some cucumber and green bell pepper juice in it...much more better. This drink is for people who have gouty arthritis and it works for my brother. I drink this very morning with empty stomach for a while, it keeps my body clean and BM regular, smooth clean and no pimples. I'd like to share with all to keep more people healthy and enjoy life.

It is very simple and easy to make this drink. I use Magic Bullet or juicer to mix everything together. No measurement need. Just put in the amount as you desired. I do not like the pulps, so I filter them into a smooth texture drink.

Remember, must mix with milk for better result, not with water.

Kale salad with I.T.I dressing

I.T.I = Italian Thousand Island dressing. 
I made this amazing and healthy salad with mix of Italian salad dressing and Thousand Island dressing. Turn out so yummy and refreshing. The key to this kale salad is that you must keep covered in the refrigerator  for an overnight. Kale will turn soft and tasty.

Simple ingredients:

• Italian salad dressing
• Thousand Island salad dressing
• Honey 
• Kale leaves, cut or break into bite sizes

Easy to make:

1. In a large bowl, mix equal amount of Italian and Thousand Island dressing, drizzle some honey and mix till blend. If you like it more sweet, add more honey; if you like it little more sour taste, add more Italian dressing.
2. Stir in kale leaves and make sure all leaves covered with dressing. Keep covered for an overnight. 
3. Sprinkle some raisins, cranberries, or nuts as you prefer.

Qian Long Cabbage 乾隆白菜

You will need:

• Napa  cabbage leaves, break into bite sizes, dry
• 1 Tsp Peanut butter ( or sesame paste)
• 3 Tsp dark vinegar
• 3 Tsp Honey

Easy to make:

1. mix peanut butter with vinegar till the paste turn thinner. Set aside.
2. mix honey and cabbage, then pour the peanut butter/vinegar paste on the cabbage.
3. Mix till blend.
4. serve as cold salad.

乾隆白菜的主料：

　　白菜(200g)　　

　　乾隆白菜的调料：

　　芝麻酱(1汤匙)　　老陈醋(3汤匙)　　蜂蜜(3汤匙)　
将白菜叶洗净后用手撕开, 将老陈醋放入芝麻酱中搅拌均匀, 加入蜂蜜继续搅拌, 将调好的料汁浇在白菜上.

家常美食网小窍门：

1、白菜取白菜叶，最好用手撕，容易入味；

2.现将醋放入麻酱中，将芝麻酱搅拌开；

3.三者之间的用量可以根据个人口味调整，喜欢吃香的就多放一点芝麻酱，喜欢吃酸甜口味的可以多放醋和蜂蜜，醋要用老陈醋。

I tried with lettuce (too much water) and head cabbage (too dry), the best is to use Napa cabbage (Chinese cabbage). If add more vinegar and honey to make the paste lighter texture, you can use it as a salad dressing too.

Amigurumi Crochet - my new hobby

These little crochet amigurumi animals or dolls are so cute to hang on your handbags, backpacks, in your car, or as a key charm. I learn how to crochet them from watching youtube or get ideas from ravelry.com. It is fun to make them by mixing your favorite colors.