Mussels Baked in a Dynamite Sauce

I mentioned before in a previous post that my first time ever eating this dish was during my visit to Florida in September 2009. My niece, Mai, made it one night and it was really good. A little too spicy for me, but still good. Mai, if you're reading this, thanks for introducing this dish to me!

Not sure why I haven't posted this yet, after all the times I've made it. Lien visited this weekend and wanted to try it, so here is the latest batch and the one I like the most of all the ones I've made.



Defrost and clean a box of frozen cooked mussels on the half shell. Checking for and removing any beards.


After you clean them, flip them over into a colander/draining basket and let drain for about 5 minutes.


Meantime, prep: minced garlic, finely chopped shallots, and finely chopped imitation crab meat.




Remove the mussels from the shells.


Cut the mussels into small pieces.


Add: Kewpie Mayo, Sriracha hot sauce, the garlic, shallots, and imitation crab meat. Season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix well.


Line a cookie sheet/baking dish with aluminum foil. Fill the half shells with the mussel-mayo mixture and place it on the baking sheet. Bake at 350 until bubbly (15 Minutes) and then broil low for another 2 minutes.


Serve. Makes a great party dish!

Halloween Weekend Get-a-way: Chicago & Around.

Compared to my first trip to Chicago, the second time around was much more pleasant.

Dinner at Mapo Restaurant in Naperville. A cute little restaurant serving authentic chinese food; you could smell the aroma from the outside walking in.



Beef Rolls


Braised Pork Belly

Combination Rice Noodles

Dessert at H-Mart

Bingsoo! The first time I've ever heard of this Korean dessert dish and I loved it. Shaved ice topped with assorted fresh fruits, fruit cocktail, mochi, milk, red bean, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and chocolate syrup.

Scenery from Chicago Botanical Garden: Beautiful and Tranquil. Can't imagine how beautiful it must be in the spring and summer.

Waterfall Garden


Island of Everlasting Happiness


Arched Bridge


Other side of Island of Everlasting Happiness


Dry/Zen Garden
A few from the Bonsai Collection (my dream garden will have bonsai trees)







From the Greenhouses

Need more get-a-ways. Felt nice to take time off work and relax.