Mussels, Clams and Shrimps in Garlic-Tomato Broth

Oh seafood! A few years back, Bryan and I visited my friends Cecilia and Kelvin. They treated us this amazing seafood dish. The clams and mussels were perfectly cooked. The garlic tomato broth was sweet and light, which was a great dipping sauce for the bread. Bryan and I licked everything clean. After that, I always think about that dish. Recently, I finally asked my friends for the recipe. I made this dish a couple of times already. Bryan and I absolutely love it!

I didn’t start cooking fresh shellfish until last year. It can be a bit intimating and scary for the first or second time, especially seeing them opening, closing and breathing. But don’t be scared. I promise you will get a hang of it very soon. Fresh seafood is so much better than frozen.

Try this seafood dish! I know you will enjoy it!

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Mini Popover

I think I like popovers because of Gordon Ramsay. After watching his Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, I wanted to try yorkshire pudding so much. Later, I found out that American has a similar thing called “Popover”. Popovers are very easy to make. The secret is to have all your ingredients at room temperature. I have failed a few times, but now, I have learned to make some delicious rolls. Popovers are crunch on the outside, but hollow in the middle. They are perfect to serve with slow cook beef, like with beef short ribs with red wine. Yum…. Hmm… I am so hungry right now. I wish I have some popovers!

Hong Kong Baked Goods

Hong Kong baked goods are really special. It is a combination of Chinese and western flavors. Due to the ruling under British as a colony, there were a lot western influence in the food and culture in Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong, there is a bakery in almost every corner of the streets. Instead of only selling muffins, donuts or cakes, they sell both sweet and savory baked goods. Since most baked goods are small in size, which are perfect for breakfast. Everyday, bakeries will bring out their freshly baked breads and buns to sell. Many people like to go to the bakeries in the morning to get a warm, fresh, filling, and tasty baked good. The baked goods are also great as lunch or snacks. A classic savory baked good is a barbecued pork bun. It is a sweet and soft bun with a Chinese traditional barbecued pork filling. A classic sweet baked good is a pineapple bun. It is a soft bun with a sweet and crunchy crust that looks a bit like a pineapple skin. Other than classic, there are many creative new stuff, like peanut filling bun, seaweed tuna bun, green onion bun, hot dog bun, curry beef puff pastry and taro bun.

Back when I was in high school, I am not a fan of those baked goods. I always felt like I was forced to eat them. But the buns were just too big for me sometimes. After taking a few bites, I wrapped the bun in a paper towel and threw it in the trash can. I was way too wasteful, and I didn’t cherish the delicious goodies. Now, I love them! And, I wish I can eat those baked goods everyday.

In Los Angeles, there is a good chain Chinese bakery, J.J Bakery. It is not exactly the same as the bakeries in Hong Kong, but at least, there are similar items. Their bread and buns are good. It is probably the best Chinese bakery in Los Angeles area. Bryan’s favorite is the green onion and hot dog bun. I like that too.

Green Onion and Hot Dog Bun

Curry Beef Puff Pastry

Pineapple Bun

Cheese and Hot Dog Bun

J.J. Bakery (1130 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007)

Pao de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread)

When I first tried pao de queijo in a Brazilian restaurant, I immediately fall in love with it. The texture of pao de queijo is not really like bread. It is gooey, chewy and savory. The cheese makes the bread amazing. It is very addictive. I can eat 5 -6 of them at a time. This recipe is very good, Bryan and I ate 12 bread all at once. Bryan likes the bread at room temperature, because they were less gooey. But I like my bread warm. If you are making this little bread, make sure to make extra. To complete your Brazilian night, this dish goes perfect with Brazilian chicken stroganoff.