Shirmp baos

 This is the first time I steam Trader Joe's shrimp baos. Bao is a very popular breakfast in Asia (Vietnam, Taiwan, Hongkong....) and Trader Joe's makes a very good one. Just pour 4 cups of water to the bow, put all the frozen baos in a steamer (I use Breville risotto plus steamer), and wait 10 minutes, your breakfast is done. 6 baos can be served for 2 people, actually, if you can, you can finish all of them ~~~ Microwave method also is suggested in the instruction, but steaming give the baos more moist and freshness.

Plum wine

It's great time to drink ume (plum) wine. We bought this one at Mitsuwa, the best one I can find (and not so expensive, just around $14) without additives, alcohol, and sulfites, just natural from CHOYA!

Sushi Shunka at Costa Mesa

A nice place to have sushi with from very fresh seafood, even imported from Japan. The restaurant is clean, the chefs are friendly, and the most important thing: they make the best sushi:

Chihuly glass garden (museum) in Seattle

This place is a "must go" spot when you visit Seattle. The entrance ticket is pricey $19.5/person but it's worth the price! The place is next to the city's space needle. 

Slow cook lamb with baking oven

Recently, I bought this amazingly good baking dish from Le Creuset at T.Jmax with a so good price: just around $17, cheaper than any online store. This time, I use this one to cook a lamb dish. This kind of food is good for winter time, because lamb is considered as "hot" food, it can warm your body up. The cooking process is easier when I use Breville Compact Smart Oven

1. Ingredients:
- 1 pack of lamb meat (you can use lam stew, lamb chop, vvv). I bought this one from Trader Joe's.

- Spices: I use of 21 salute seasoning from Trader Joe's and  cumin as main seasonings: 1 spoon for each, plus dried basil, oregano, sage: 1 tea spoon each . 

Also: salt and black pepper: 1 tea spoon for each

- Vege: 1 potato, 1 carrot, green bean, 1 sliced shallot, 1 chopped onion, sliced mushroom (1/2 pack)

2. Method

- Preheat a pan with 1 spoon of oil, than add the meat, if you use nonstick pan, you even don't have to use oil 

- Cook each side for 10 minutes ( if you are in a hurry, cook for 5 mins), when you turn to another side, add sliced shallot 

- Take the meat out, put them in to the baking dish, and add vege and seasoning to pan, stir well for 3 mins, add 2 cups of water, and wait until it is broiled. At this time, you can preheat the oven at baking setting: 375 degree 

- Pour the mixture to the baking dish

- Cover it with foil, and bake it for 1 hour.

And here is the result: perfectly beautiful!

Eat with bread or rice is both suitable! Serve with some drop of lemon juice!

Ps: If your room is too smelly after cooking and eating this dish, use this trick: put several slices of lemon to a pot of water, broil it, let the steam bring the lemon fragrance spreading around your kitchen, it will take all other smells away!