Breakfast ideas : Cilantro-mozzarella omelette

Cilantro-mozzarella omelette (you may also use goat cheese, mushrooms and spinach)

Barbeque pork fried rice

Ingredients:
Left over rice/cooked rice drizzled with low sodium soy sauce and chinese salt
Diced red onion- 1 medium
Handful of green peas
Some thoroughly washed snap peas
Cooked barbeque boneless pork loin, cut into strips
Dry red chilies , sliced thin ( a pair of kitchen scissors work best)
Scallions and Chinese peppers (optional)

Method:

1. In a wok, fry diced onion, snap peas and  green peas. Add salt. Add the scallions and Chinese pepper if you are using them,
2. Add the cooked pork and then the cooked rice. Sprinkle the sliced red chilies. Mix thoroughly. Serve warm.

Soup ideas for a cold

Garlic and green onion soup
I found inspiration of garlic soup in the book 400 soups. However, I seldom stick to recipes. I used olive oil instead of butter to saute some crushed garlic (8-10 cloves) until soft (not brown) and then added some chopped green onions. You may add herbs like thyme, parsley or cilantro. Add homemade or store-bought chicken broth (I used Certified Organic Swanson Chicken Broth), about 2 cups. I always like crushed pepper in hot soup, some green chilies and a squeeze of fresh lime. You may add roux to thicken the soup. I don't fancy it. Goes well with garlic crotons.

Dried mushroom soup
Soak dry mushrooms (I used a blend of morels, portobello and oyster mushrooms) in water at room temperature (retains flavor more than hot water) for 30 mins to  4 hours (until soft). Make sure there is no grit remaining. Rinse well. Squeeze extra water and slice them to serving size (or use pre-sliced mushrooms). You may strain and use the soaking liquid for extra flavor.  Saute the mushrooms in a saucepan with olive oil, parsley, 1 tsp dark soy sauce, cracked pepper and salt to taste. I added minced bulbs of green onions. You may add red onions and diced celery ribs. Add 2 -4 cups of chicken or vegetable stock/broth. Serve warm with grated parmesan on top.

Those who want a spicier version may add some minced green chilies, chipotle powder and some garlic flakes.

Noodles in low-sodium chicken broth

1. Boil water with salt, add chowmein, (put green beans first, then fish them out if you are using them). Drain the boiled chowmein in a strainer, pour cold water if necessary. 
2.  Add peanut oil in a wok, add diced onions, serrano chilies, parboiled beans, celery and leeks. Put a handful of cashews or peanuts if you want an added crunch.
3. Now add low-sodium chicken broth, a squirt of lime (or 1 tsp white vinegar) and drizzle some low-sodium soy sauce. Now add the noodles and mix well.
4. Add a soft boiled or hard-boiled egg. You might scramble the egg too. Top with crushed pepper and serve warm

Double chocolate brownie cake with roasted hazelnuts

This is a quick recipe for a tasty brownie cake and you simply can't go wrong with this.

1 egg
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 cups Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix (or 2 cups sieved flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 cup cocoa powder and chocolate chips)

1. Whisk the ingredients (measure accurately) well and bake at 325 F for 25 mins.
2. Dry-roast a handful of hazelnuts and rub them in paper towels after they cool down. Hammer or crack them and toss in a small sieve to remove rest of the skin. 
3. Pour chocolate sauce and serve.
   
   You may want to warm it in the oven before serving.