2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened, plus
3 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch process
1 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup heavy cream or 1/2 cup milk
confectioners' sugar, for dusting


Directions:

1
Preheat the oven to 350°.
2
Spray an 8" X 4" bread pan with non-stick cooking spray and line the pan with parchment paper. Spray the paper.
3
Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter with the cocoa and blend until smooth.
4
Using a food processor, mix the softened butter with the granulated sugar. When combined, add eggs and vanilla and continue to process until creamy. Add the dry ingredients and pulse until JUST combined. Finally, add cream and process until smooth. Add 1 cup of this batter to the bowl with the cocoa and stir until smooth.
5
Pour half of the remaining batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with the back of a spoon. Spread the chocolate batter in the pan and then top with the rest of the batter. Using a butter knife, decoratively cut 5 swirls in the batter.
6
Bake for 25 minutes at 350°. Reduce the temperature to 325° and bake for an additional 25 minutes. Loosely cover with foil and bake 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until the top is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Let the pound cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.

夫妻肺片 （自制红油）

1. 自制红油，用的是网上找来的方子，非常喜欢

原料：

青花椒（1tablespoon），丁香 （4颗），桂皮 （2-3小片），小茴香（1 teaspoon），草果（1-2 颗，拍破）， 八角（3－4 颗），紫草 （1 tablespoon，帮助红油上色，可以在中国药店买到），辣椒面（1cup，如果怕辣，可以用韩国的辣椒面），香叶 （2-4 片），白芝麻（1 tablespoon），生姜 （1块），葱白 （4段），植物油 （2.5 cup）



步骤：

将植物油2.5 Cup 锅中烧开，放置温凉后下葱白姜块，见到有细小的泡沫从姜葱四周升起时将炉火转至最小，然后下入花椒，丁香，桂皮，小茴，草果，八角，香叶，紫草，辣椒面，搅拌匀，熬制30-40分钟，熬制期间时常搅拌一下，以防糊锅底。30-40 分钟后加入白芝麻继续熬制30-40分钟，关火。将熬好的红油晾至温凉后连油带料倒入一个大的玻璃量杯或其他带嘴的玻璃或瓷质容器中，用保鲜膜封好在冰箱冷藏室内放置24-48小时以使辣椒面的辣味，红色，香料的香气进一步溶解于油中。同时找几个洗干净晾干的带盖玻璃瓶备用. 剩余的渣，可以用来做菜～

2. 卤牛肉

牛腱去血水后，加生姜，花椒，八角，酱油，料酒和盐煮开，然后小火闷1.5-2小时。用筷子可以轻松扎洞即可。牛肉需要在冰箱放过夜再切！这个“紧”的过程很重要。卤制的时候，淡一些没有关系，不可以过咸。

3. 拌夫妻肺片

芹菜梗，香菜切末，油炸花生米压碎，生抽，糖，自制红油，盐，白芝麻 （如果有在超市买的夫妻肺片的调料也可以加少许）

*********************************************************************************



水煮豆花鱼

Fillet fish (frozen)
silk tofu (黄豆芽也可以）
芹菜梗，葱，香菜切末
大蒜2瓣
泡椒鱼调料（现成的袋装调味，中国店有卖）
青花椒，干辣椒皮
白芝麻
淀粉，花椒粉，料酒

1. fillet fish 切薄片，加2tablespoon 油，1 tablespoon 淀粉，2 tablespoon 料酒和少许花椒粉腌制15分钟
2. 烧水到沸腾，加入嫩豆腐煮到熟 （或者是豆芽）。把豆腐小心的片出来，放入一个大腕里待用。
3. 锅里加油烧热，加入泡椒鱼的调料炒香，加入2cup水，大蒜瓣，烧开。加入鱼，等鱼变色（熟），加入芹菜梗，葱，香菜切末。然后倒入装豆腐的大碗里。
4. 锅内加油，小火，爆香花椒辣椒皮，然后浇在大碗里面。
5. 撒上白芝麻，上桌

In a post from last year (here), I introduced bee venom face mask. The mask was good, making my skin moisturized and pumped; howeve it caused breakouts sometime (for your reference, I have combination skin with oily T-zone). Eventually, my mom took it over and loved it. When I discussed the technology behind the mask with my friends, one lady suggested me to try active raw Manuka honey instead. Raw honey, itself, can make your skin glow without triggering breakouts. Instead, it even helps disinfect and heal minor wounds without forming a scar (more information available in this article). In addition, the active formula (bee venom) is thought to help correct fine lines and pump up your skin.

Wedderspoon sources some of the world's finest, raw, organic, mono flora honeys from the pristine pastures and rugged mountains of New Zealand south island. The unique south island climate produces many remarkable honeys exclusive only to New Zealand and Wedderspoon... Raw honey is important, as this ensures that the natural bee enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and activity present in raw honey remains unaltered, intact and are not destroyed during packaging. All our honeys are tested to ensure they never contain chemical residues and antibiotics.

I picked 100% raw Manuka honey - active 16+ (here), based on the originity of the product, online research and nearby 300 positive reviews. Share you my experience and couple thoughts:

1. I had a cold couple days ago, and my lips got dry, tight, crack and bleeding even with lot of lip balm. I decided to try honey therapy. Put a thick layer of honey on lips and let it stay for 5 minutes. Then, I washed out the residuel (I could not help swallowing some in) with warm water, using soft wash cloth. After two applications, my lips went back to normal.

2. Use as face mask. Put a layer of honey all over the clean face before shower, and let it stay for 10 minutes. I feel the raw honey works similarly as my bee venom mask. Skin feels soft and gets moisturized (like a layer of wax on the top...).

3. Eat as health supplement ... (healthy stomach, antioxidant, vitamins and minerals...).

4. People report anthritis pain relief from topical application of it (check reviews).

Thank you for your reading~

 I have owned a Vita-Mix for 3 years thus far, by which I made all kinds of smoothies, dipping sauses, soy milk and peanuts butter (I will definitely share my recipes later). However, my 2 year old daughter likes fresh squeezed juice more. Everytime we go to Beachwood Mall, she asks a cup of it. A medium cup of fresh squeezed juice sells for $5.25. Fresh squezzed juice is healthy, less sugar and no added perservatives. So I decided to make it on my own, saving money and providing every family member healthy juice daily. After an intensive research including online products reviews and YouTube videos, I decided to give the Omega VRT350HD Vertical Silver Juicer (or here with 300 reviews available) a try.
It has been 3 weeks since I bought my Omega Juicer. I use it daily, and I am very happy with it so far. Omega VRT350HD Vertical Silver Juicer utilizes a low speed juicing system which squeezes, rather than grinds, to allow the juice to maintain their natural color, taste, nutrients and vitamins.

This juicer has a 10 year manufacture warranty, which is important for investing an expensive kitchen electronic.

Tbc....

原料：笋干，黑木耳， 葱，姜， 花椒，干辣椒， 麻油， 盐， 糖， 辣椒油


1. 笋干用冷水泡软 （overnight）
2. 笋干洗净，用高压锅煮开上汽15分钟；倒入Le Creuset 锅中，加八角，桂皮，香叶，酱油卤2小时。取出放冷。
3. 水烧开，放入发好的黑木耳，大火烫滚。取出冲冷水。
4. 锅内倒入15ml 油，小火，加葱姜末，青花椒，碎干辣椒皮，爆出香味，加如凉菜中。加麻油，辣椒油，糖，盐调味。

 I have owned a Vita-Mix for 3 years thus far, by which I made all kinds of smoothies, dipping sauses, soy milk and peanuts butter (I will definitely share my recipes later). However, my 2 year old daughter likes fresh squeezed juice more. Everytime we go to Beachwood Mall, she asks a cup of it. A medium cup of fresh squeezed juice sells for $5.25. Fresh squezzed juice is healthy, less sugar and no added perservatives. So I decided to make it on my own, saving money and providing every family member healthy juice daily. After an intensive research including online products reviews and YouTube videos, I decided to give the Omega VRT350HD Vertical Silver Juicer (or here with 300 reviews available) a try.
It has been 3 weeks since I bought my Omega Juicer. I use it daily, and I am very happy with it so far. Omega VRT350HD Vertical Silver Juicer utilizes a low speed juicing system which squeezes, rather than grinds, to allow the juice to maintain their natural color, taste, nutrients and vitamins.

This juicer has a 10 year manufacture warranty, which is important for investing an expensive kitchen electronic.

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat flour, 2 cup all purpose flour, 1 cup water, 1/2 tsp fast dry yeast, 1 tea spoon baking powder

Steps:

Use bread machine to kneat dough
1. adding 1 cup water in the container
2. adding 3 cup mixed flour in
3. adding yeast and bakin powder on the top
4. using the basic function of bread machine to kneat dough and rise it (1hr)
Turn the dough on slightly floured surface, divide into 3 pieces. Shape each into 4 flower-shaped bread. Leave the shaped dough outside for 20 minutes
Steam on boiling water for 15 minutes.
optional: green onion, salt and sesame oil.

Believe it or not, we don't have a microwave at home. It doesn't cause any inconvenience, except when we crave for popcorn. Recently I found a traditional way to make popcorn. It is so easy and fun!

What do you need:

a. A cooking pot with lid (glass lid is preferred);
b. a small handful of kernels;
c. some vegetable oil or butter.

Steps:

1. Pour vegetable oil or butter into the pot;
2. Turn on the stove to a medium to high flame;
3. Put the kernels in;
4. Cover the pot with the lid;
5. The kernels will start popping; Slide your pot on the stove back and forth to make the heat even.
6. Wait until no more kernels pop up. It might only take a minute or two.
7. Turn off the stove and pour the popcorn into a big bowl. E-n-j-o-y!

Happy Friday!
Michelle

1 cup whole wheat flour, 2 cup all purpose flour, 1 cup water, 1/2 tsp fast dry yeast, 1 tea spoon baking powder

Use bread machine to kneat dough

1. adding 1 cup water in the container

2. adding 3 cup mixed flour in

3. adding yeast and bakin powder on the top

4. using the basic function of bread machine to kneat dough and rise it (1hr)

Turn the dough on slightly floured surface, divide into 3 pieces. Shape each into 4 flower-shaped bread. Leave the shaped dough outside for 20 minutes

Steam on boiling water for 15 minutes.

I added some green onion, salt and sesame oil today.

  

  

  

We had a "formal" home-made family dinner tonight to celebrate Christmas. I cooked 8 dishes (but only 6 pictures here), including vegetable, seafood and meat. It took me about 3 hours.

韭菜花毛豆肉丝：

(我一般在美国超市，比如wholefoods，买冷冻的毛豆－－shelled adamame，新鲜度和口感比较接近中国的新鲜毛豆，比中国店的质量好）

肉丝加少量淀粉，生抽，白胡椒粉和油腌20分钟左右。 热锅冷油，下肉丝断生备用。先炒熟毛豆，放少量盐。再放入蒜末，干红辣椒，肉丝，和韭菜花，大火翻炒。加少量糖，盐，生抽和白胡椒粉调味。

板鸭：

小鸭仔解冻，擦干水。大量盐和花椒干炒出香味，盐微黄。将花椒盐抹在鸭子上，多多按摩肉厚的部位。用锡纸包裹起，放在冰箱或者室外（如果室外温度低的话）48小时。注意，24小时后，打开锡纸检查一下，如果有血水就倒掉。48小时后，把鸭子凉起，在气温低有风的地方。1－2周即可。吃的时候，用大锅烧水，加葱姜和盐，水开放入鸭子，等水在沸腾后，小火焖30分钟即可。放冷，切盘。

干煸四季豆：

四季豆清理后，沥干水。deep frier 放油加热到375F。放四季豆炸4分钟，取出四季豆并吸掉多余的油。

热锅冷油，小火放入花椒，碎辣椒皮，和少量辣豆瓣酱炒出香味。改大火，放入碎青椒，洋葱，葱姜蒜末，和备用的四季豆。翻炒，并加糖，盐，少量生抽，调味。加白胡椒粉起锅。

葱姜大虾：

我比较喜欢costco的black tiger tail shrimp。

虾解冻，清洗，并吸掉表面的水。

热锅冷油，加入花椒，姜片，大蒜吵香，加入虾。快速翻炒，然后加料酒，糖和生抽，9成熟时加入葱段，撒入白胡椒粉，翻炒起锅。

辣子鸡丁：

小鸡一只，解冻，切小块 （我一般用厨房用剪刀剪开，比较轻松，也不会溅得到处都是。加入姜末洋葱末老抽糖白胡椒粉花椒粉和料酒腌制2小时。

放入deep frier， 375F，8分钟。

热锅冷油，放入青椒碎，洋葱碎，葱姜蒜末，和大量干辣椒皮及花椒，翻炒出香味，倒入备用的鸡块，加适量豆瓣酱，和盐调味。起锅前，撒入一把香菜，快速翻炒。

近来在天涯网溜达，发现薏米食谱很火爆。于是开始做些研究

“
薏苡种仁又称米仁，含淀粉，供食用或酿酒。中医学上用根和种仁入药，种仁性微寒、味甘，功能清热利湿、健脾，主治水肿脚气、风湿、泄泻、肠痈、肺痈等，炒用补益肺脾，多用治关节炎、扁平疣；根具有清热、利尿等功效，近用治肝炎、肾炎等症。”

“薏仁（拉丁Semen Coicis英文名Coix Seed）又名薏苡仁、苡米、苡仁，土玉米，薏米、起实、薏珠子、草珠珠、回回米、米仁、六谷子。是常用的中药．又是普遍、常吃的食物，性味甘淡微寒，有利水消肿、健脾去湿、舒筋除痹、清热排脓等功效，为常用的利水渗湿药。薏仁又是一种美容食品，常食可以保持人体皮肤光泽细腻，消除粉刺、斑雀、老年斑、妊娠斑、蝴蝶斑，对脱屑、痤疮、皲裂、皮肤粗糙等都有良好疗效。”

一句话说来，薏米就是健体美容的不二食品。于是，决定跟风并加以创新。宗旨是：可口方便老少均接受

1.红豆薏米加水入煲，大火水开，小火焖3小时。（加少量冰糖，不加更利于减肥 ：） ）
2.入冰箱放冷
3.以2：1（红豆薏米汤：牛奶）放入vitamix, 打匀. (Vitamix 是我投资的厨房用具中使用率最高的物品之一，以后有机会和Amanda一起介绍吧）