Roasted Asparagus and Shrimp Salad

Summer is almost coming to an end, almost.  I’m still enjoying the hot weather before I have to re-arrange my closet (and my kids’) again.  Packing up the summer clothes and digging out the sweaters and jackets... the thoughts of them give me headache when thinking about it.  Instead, let me enjoy a plate of refreshing salad and wash it all down with a passion fruit ice tea.  I’ve been having salad for dinner quite often lately, at least 4 time a week, hoping to offset the sugar intake from the first half of the year.  Hahaha….does it work that way?  Probably not, but it makes me feel good, both physically and mentally, when I’m eating healthy.



The Roasted Asparagus and Shrimp Salad is one of my favorite.  It's flavorful and satisfying!  Not to mention that it is also very figure friendly and nutritious.  I always make my own salad dressings so they match perfectly with the ingredients.  Besides, I think the "store shelf" dressings are just too greasy…. with ingredients that are difficult to pronounce!  When it’s super simple to make your own, why pay more for the preservative or whatever they put into that bottle?!

With a salad this yummy, who wants summer to end so soon!?



Roasted Asparagus and Shrimp Salad:

Servings: 2

Salad Greens or Mesclun Mix for 2 people
8 Pieces of Shrimps (21 to 24-count)
1 Small Bunch of thin Asparagus
1 Small Handful of Grape Tomatoes
1 Tablespoon Fresh Basil, chiffonade
1 Tablespoon Oregano, chiffonade
1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
2 Teaspoons Honey
2 Tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil, plus more for roasting
Kosher Salt and Freshly ground Black Pepper
Parmesan Cheese Shaves for Garnish

Preheat oven 400 degrees F. 

Wash salad greens and tomatoes, drain in a salad spinner.  Wash and pad dry the asparagus and shrimps.  Trim off last 3 inches of asparagus and discard (or use them for soup base in other recipes). Cut asparagus in thirds.  Place them on baking sheets lined with foil.  Use a piece of foil to make a small container (fold up all sides) for the shrimps and place next to the asparagus on the baking sheet.  Drizzle olive oil on asparagus and shrimps, sprinkle kosher salt and pepper evenly on top.  Roast asparagus for 15 minutes and take out the shrimps after 7 minutes.  

In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, honey, vinegar, a pinch of salt and pepper.  While whisking, slowly add the olive oil until the vinaigrette is emulsified. 

Place the salad greens, basil and oregano in a medium bowl and add enough dressing to moisten.  Arrange on plates, top with shrimps, asparagus and a few shaves of parmesan cheese.  Serve immediately.

Paper Wrapped Cakes (紙包蛋糕)

It’s so hot out there these few days makes people want to be lazy and stay home;  Turn on the AC and just relaxed.  We seldom turn on the AC (I say less than 10 days a year) since we are cheap live just 10 miles from the ocean and the temperature here is usually lower than other cities in L.A.  Normally, I rather get the fresh air than having the AC on.  However, today is one of those 10 days of the year.  Excessive Heat Warnings was issued for Southern California!  Click here for the news if you care!

 
Since the news advised us to stay out of the sun, so we did.  Plus, the kids are already a bit under the weather for a few days, I don’t want them to get any worse.  So, we all stayed home with the AC on, baking up a batch of these scrumptious “Paper Wrapped Sponge Cakes” (紙包蛋糕)"!  My son calls them “軟林林蛋糕, literally means super soft cakes.  And you bet they are, super soft and fluffy.



These Paper Wrapped Sponge Cakes are very popular in Hong Kong style bakery stores.  My kids adore them.  Unfortunately, we don’t live closed-by to a HKG style bakery.  So, I learned how to make them to ensure we have fresh cakes on hand any day of the week, whenever we crave one.  Plus, you know what goes into the cake when you bake your own.  :)  If you like cakes and desserts that are not too sweet, you’ll love this cake.  Plus, they are so light and fluffy, you might (I always) think they are zero calories!








Paper Wrapped Cakes:  Printable Recipe
Makes 10

5 egg whites
7 egg yolks
3 oz butter
6 oz heavy cream
1/2 cup cake flour
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoon caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
pinch of kosher salt

Preheat the oven to 345F. Melt butter in the microwave oven. Separate the egg yolks and the egg whites.
Use an electrical mixer to beat egg whites and salt, add cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks. Pour in about half of the sugar in the egg whites and beat until stiff peaks, set aside.

In another bowl, beat egg yolks and rest of the sugar until pale yellow. Then add heavy cream and vanilla extract, beat until well combined. Add melted butter and continue to beat mixture. Turn mixer to low speed and sift in cake flour until just combined, do not over mix.

Fold egg whites into the flour mixture gently with a rubber spatula just until all ingredients are incorporated. Do not stir or beat. For a better result, fold in egg whites in 3 batches.

Pour batter into cup cake molds lined with baking paper. Bake at 345F for 30 to 35 minutes on lower rack in the oven. Check with a toothpick to see if the cakes are done. If the toothpick comes out of the cake clean, then they’re ready. Transfer cakes onto a wire rack to cool completely.

This recipe is linked to:
Sweets for Saturday

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

It was Daddy’s birthday yesterday!  As usual, we celebrated with food!  To be exact, Japanese food, which is one of Daddy’s favorites.  In the past ten years, our family seldom purchased any fish from the supermarket.  Not that we don’t like fish.  It was just because we always have the freshest supply, free.  Yes, I said FREE!  That’s because daddy loves fishing!  If you’ve ever tasted a piece of sashimi from the fish that was just swimming in the ocean minutes ago, you know what is fresh.  The sweetness of the flesh, and melt in the mouth texture is indescribable!
Back to the birthday celebration, we went to RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in Torrance.  I rated this place 3.5 to 4 stars out of 5.  I picked this restaurant because it’s closed to our house and they have pretty decent sashimi and rolls.  Plus, I know they have high chairs available.  This place is spacious and usually not packed.  Also, it’s in the Del Amo Fashion Center, so, there are plenty of parking spaces available.  Of course, there are many other (better) sushi restaurants to choose from in Torrance if you don’t have to consider high chair availability, wait time and parking distance. 
Let’s see what we have ordered…

Assorted Sashimi Set Lunch—Tuna, Salmon and Yellowtail Served with Salad, Miso Soup and a bowl of white rice

The Set lunch is good value, but the fish wasn’t top quality.  I would rather order a la carte next time.

Sushi—Tuna, Uni and Ebi

The Uni sushi are great, very fresh and sweet.  Didn’t try the other 2.

  Seared Tuna with Ginger Sauce

This one is yummy.  Something different.  I love the greens on top adding a little crunch.  The ginger sauce is flavorful but not too strong.

Garlic Citrus Yellowtail 

The citrus dressing is very light, very refreshing.  It’s perfect with a dab of wasabi.

Yellowtail Sashimi

Good quality, better than those from the set lunch. 

Salmon Sashimi 

The salmons were just okay.  Not fat enough for my liking.

Spicy Tuna Roll

Not bad, tuna is spicy enough.  However, I think I can make the roll prettier that this! 

  Shrimp Tempura Udon

Shrimp Tempura Udon

The Udon is very flavorful, lots of bay scallops, carrots and mushrooms make the broth very sweet.

Beef Tataki Roll

This is one of my favorite, the dipping sauce is great too, a little sweet and a little tangy.  The beef is fresh and melt in your mouth.  The asparagus adds a little bit crunch. 

Scallop Sashimi

This is my favorite of the day.  Fresh, sweet, melt in your mouth goodness.

So, what’s the damage……drum roll please…

Just a tip for you, if you want to try RA, go during their happy hours.  You get discount on beers and sake (not sure how much though), appetizers and rolls are 50% off!   That’s not a bad deal at all.

We had a great time.  I’m sure my little ones enjoyed the lunch, too.  There were lots of laughter, noise and mess from them.  Nothing is better than spending quality time with family.  (Too bad my hubby couldn’t join us this time.)  To me, food is the most delicious when shared with family and love ones.  Happy Birthday again, Daddy!  I love you.