Egg tart is one of the Hong Kong classic. Everyone in Hong Kong loves egg tart. They like to eat it for breakfast, brunch as dim sum or tea time snack. An egg tart is a baked egg custard in a pastry. There are mainly 2 types of egg tarts. One with a shortcrust pastry...Read More »
Chinese New Year is next week starting on Monday. I haven’t had time to look into new Chinese New Year recipes this year. But I have some ideas for you from my previous posts. Enjoy! Turnip Cake. This is a must for Chinese New Year! I am making this on Monday. Sweet Ginger Light Syrup...Read More »
Need a lunch idea? Try this 6-ingredient Easy Chicken Salad. Tasty & fairly quick to put together. This is one of my favorites lunches to make! As I said before, lunch is where I struggle. Figuring out what lunches to make everyday is not an easy task. From boxed mac and cheese & instant ramen...Read More »
This White Peach Mojito is a twist on a classic. Made with fresh sweet peach, lemon and mint. Perfect for summer! If you may have noticed, I have been posting a few more cocktail or drink recipes this year. You are absolutely correct! It is all thanks to our bar cabinet. Before we moved, our...Read More »
This beautiful Blackberry Ginger Syrup is tart and sweet with a kick of ginger. It’s excellent on pancakes, waffles, cocktails, and any desserts. There are still a few months until summer gets here. It has been an interesting weather year in Los Angeles. With the early prediction of strong El Nino, we thought it would be raining like cats...Read More »
If you are looking for an easy and light seafood meal, this Mojo Shrimp is the one! Shrimps were cooked in a chicken broth with garlic, oregano, orange juice, lemon juice and lime juice. Savory and citrusy! Best to serve with rice. One of our favorite restaurants is The Melting Pot. It’s a fondue restaurant,...Read More »
Crumpet is a British griddle cake that has a crispy crust with a spongy soft inside. Spread with a layer of butter and jam/honey. With just a few ingredients, crumpet makes a perfect make-ahead breakfast. It’s hard to imagine a global pandemic would happen in our life time. It feels like we’re in a movie....Read More »
Red Wine Braised Lamb Shanks with Rice Cakes is the comfort food for this cold winter. Tender lamb meat braised in a smooth and rich sauce and serve with chewy Korean rice cakes. This recipe is inspired by a dish I recently had in an Italian restaurant. It was a lamb ragu with gnocchi. Instead...Read More »
This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread brings back memory of Maui. It’s moist yet fluffy with a nice brown crust. Aromatic, sweet & chocolatey. Warm a slice in the microwave when you wake up. Pair with a cup of hot coffee, that is how a good day should start! Banana bread is a thing in...Read More »
Serves 8 - 10 people
Starting the day with this Hong Kong Style Macaroni Soup with Ham (火腿通粉). Light and comforting. Ready in less than 20 minutes. Macaroni in soup? Yes! That’s right! This is a classic dish in Hong Kong style cafes (Cha Chaan Teng 茶餐廳). It is served during breakfast hours and it usually comes in a meal...Read More »
This Baked Custard with Tapioca is classic Hong Kong dessert. By combining creamy custard and chewy tapioca pearls, then filled with sweet lotus paste, it’s an irresistible rich dessert! If you don’t like lotus paste, it can also be filled with chestnut spread or red bean paste too. This Baked Custard with Tapioca (焗西米布甸) is...Read More »
1 (9-inch) round cake
(Updated in 2020) Creamed Corn with Pork and Rice (粟米肉粒飯) is a perfect one dish meal for weeknight. Savory pork bites mix with a creamy corn sauce, then serve over rice. It’s tasty & comforting! Creamed corn with pork and rice (粟米肉粒飯) is one of those classic simple dishes that you can find in Hong...Read More »
Pollo Saltado is a Chinese-Peruvian stir-fry. Tender chicken strips, red onion, tomato & French fries cooked together in a umami sauce. It’s a quick dinner meal. I’m BACK! I thought I could get back to blogging last week. Unfortunately, jet lag got to me. Good that we’re getting back to normal now. Hong Kong was...Read More »
Start your day with these Chocolate Waffles with Kahlúa Mascarpone Cream. The waffles are crispy and chocolatey with melted chocolate chips all over. Top with this smooth whipped cream with a hint of mascarpone and coffee. It’s like having tiramisu for breakfast! Before diving into the waffles, I want to announce that I have started a...Read More »
This Stir-Fried Swiss Sauce Chicken Udon is easy and perfect for busy weeknight. Chewy udon noodles and juicy chicken coated in savory sauce with a hint of sweetness. A dish that you don’t want to miss! I love noodles, especially udon. Wait until you try this dish, you will love udon as much as I...Read More »
Makes 24 - 28 small puffs
Forget the cake mix, make this easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake from scratch! Serve warm and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, you’ll feel like you’re in heaven! Last month, Bryan and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary! Gosh, hard to believe it has already been 10 years. Every year, I worked on a new and...Read More »
This week recipe is all about classic Italian spaghetti and meatballs. I don’t recall seeing many spaghetti and meatballs dishes in Hong Kong when growing up. The most common Italian pasta dishes in HK are creamy seafood pasta and spaghetti with meat sauce. Spaghetti and meatballs was a brand new thing to me when I got to...Read More »
It is the last day of the year. Time flew by so quickly. How was your 2015? It has been a pretty good year for the blog. The most exciting was that the Korean Beef and Kimchi Quesadillas was featured on BuzzFeed in a recipe round-up. Even though it happened a while back, I can’t tell you how excited I still...Read More »
This Black Garlic and Mushroom Risotto may sound unusual, but it could become one of your favorite go-to dinners! Earthy mushroom, sweet & tangy black garlic, flavorful vegetable broth & a dollop of mascarpone. Have you heard of black garlic before? I first heard about them from an instant ramen noodle. An instant ramen brand, Nissan...Read More »
Stir-Fried Rice Cakes with Pork is a classic Chinese dish. Chewy rice cakes cooked with tender pork and umami mushroom. It’s so good that you will want this every week! I ate lots of rice cakes growing up. On a no-school or half school day, I looked forward to eating my god-mother’s lunch. My god-mother...Read More »
Red Wine Braised Lamb Shanks with Rice Cakes is the comfort food for this cold winter. Tender lamb meat braised in a smooth and rich sauce and serve with chewy Korean rice cakes. This recipe is inspired by a dish I recently had in an Italian restaurant. It was a lamb ragu with gnocchi. Instead...Read More »
Serves 8 - 10 people
Pork and Thai Basil Cellophane Noodles is a light & quick weeknight dish. It’s savory with a little kick from chili paste and aroma from the Thai Basil and cilantro. Great leftover too! This week, I’m feeling under the weather. But luckily, it was somewhat minor. I can still function and do stuffs around the house. That cough is killing me though. Hope it will be over soon. Even though I am sick, my appetite is there. I was craving for this noodle dish...Read More »
Need a quick recipe? Try The Easiest (& delicious) Breakfast Tacos! We’re obsessed with them and make them at least once a week. Just 5 ingredients & 10 minutes, you’ll be in love! If you have been following me, you know that Bryan loves breakfast and we do a breakfast night once a week. Most...Read More »
Pork Belly Miso Soup with Rice is a great weeknight recipe. Pork belly, dashi stock, tofu, and, poached egg, then serve over steamed rice. Only 20-min and it’s a bowl of comfort! We are back from Yosemite! Yosemite is really one of a kind. You got to see this place at least once in your...Read More »
Beef and Lamb Gyro Meatballs are moist and packed with flavors! No special equipment and anyone can make them at home. Serve with tzatziki sauce, hummus, simple salad, and pita bread to make a satisfying complete meal! Gyro no doubt is my favorite Greek food! That flavorful blend of meat with herbs is roasted vertically over fire until...Read More »
Popsicle is a must for summer! These Hong Kong Style Milk Tea Popsicles are rich & creamy with a strong black tea flavor. Keep you cool & make you happy! What is Hong Kong style milk tea? Hong Kong style milk tea is a strong brewed black tea combined with evaporated milk and sometimes sweetened...Read More »
Satay Beef Vermicelli Noodles is the easiest and tastiest 30-minute noodle dish you have been looking for! Tender beef slices and soft vermicelli rice noodles perfectly soak up the savory and creamy satay sauce. Great for lunch or dinner. Do you love noodles? I love them dearly, especially stir-fry noodles. On a typical night in...Read More »
This Braised Tofu with Pork and Mushroom is just what you want for weeknight dinner. Umami, not heavy and very tasty! It kept really well for a few days, which is great for meal plan. All you need is a batch of steamed rice! Bryan used to hate tofu. He found it bland with not...Read More »
Three Cup Chicken is a classic Taiwanese dish. Seared chicken thighs are tossed in a savory & umami sauce with Thai basil. Perfect over hot steamed rice! A few years back, our close friend Nima asked if I have a recipe for Three Cup Chicken. And no, not only I didn’t have a recipe, I...Read More »
Popsicle is a must for summer! These Hong Kong Style Milk Tea Popsicles are rich & creamy with a strong black tea flavor. Keep you cool & make you happy! What is Hong Kong style milk tea? Hong Kong style milk tea is a strong brewed black tea combined with evaporated milk and sometimes sweetened...Read More »
Breakfast – the most essential meal of the day! What did you eat this morning? I like something easy, so I just had a small cup of apple sauce. Nothing fancy, but YUM! Do you remember a couple of months ago I posted a breakfast soup noodle recipe? Today, I have another breakfast noodle recipe for...Read More »
Ricotta Toast with Cherries is the easiest appetizer to make. Not only it takes less than 10 minutes to do, they are creamy, sweet, savory & crunchy. Everyone will go crazy over these toast! I have to admit that I’m having cherry fever. We have been enjoying the rosemary cherry compote for the whole week....Read More »
Galbi jjim (Korean braised short ribs) is a nice hearty meal for Sunday dinner or pot luck. The short ribs were braised until fork tender with soy sauce, sugar and vegetables. Savory and sweet with a kick from gochujang (Korean chili paste). Absolutely fantastic! Do you like spicy food? If you have been following me, you...Read More »
Bulgogi is my favorite meat to eat in a Korean restaurant. Tender, slightly sweet and savory marinated beef. Serve with kimchi and white rice, your meal is set! Korean BBQ is one of the best known Korean foods. It’s fun, messy, greasy and it’s the BEST thing ever for MEAT LOVERS! All-you-can-eat is even better. You can just...Read More »
Serve 3 - 4 people
This Eton Mess with Strawberry, Mandarin Orange and Lemon is the dessert for spring! Crunchy meringue cookies, fresh strawberries, sweet whipped cream, and little tangy mandarin-orange lemon curd. What is “Eton Mess”? It’s a British dessert that is likely originated from Eton College. It’s a mix of cream and fruit. Meringue cookies was later added....Read More »
Perfect restaurant steak is possible at home! Try this Sous Vide Ribeye Steak with Herb Butter. So easy to do, no overcooking & tastes incredible! Guys, I’m back! Thank you for your patience. We’re all settled in. We’re 98% unpacked and we even got our tree. It’s starting to feel like home. One thing I...Read More »
What better way to end your day with a warm Blueberry Croissant Bread Pudding? Buttery & rich with fresh blueberries & creme anglaise. It can be easily reheat for the next day too! Hello all, it’s me! I’m sorry for missing in action for a bit. We’re being forced out of our home and currently...Read More »
Celebrate this Lunar New Year with these very cute Mandarin Orange Cupcakes. A moist and fluffy cupcakes flavored with mandarin zest, then top with a creamy cream cheese frosting, and complete with cute chocolate stems and leaves. Lunar New Year will start on Tuesday (2/1) this year. It’s the year of Tiger. Instead of making...Read More »
This Creamy Miso Udon with Mushrooms is savory, rich & unique. Chewy udon noodles coated in a creamy sauce and tossed with umami mushrooms. If you want to change up your dinner rotation, this will be the one for you! Miso and cream sauce seems to be a weird combination. A few years ago, when...Read More »
I have something exciting to share today. It is about my hummingbirds. One of the hummingbirds, who visits our bird feeder everyday, has been building a nest near our kitchen window since last week. Bryan and I named her, Chipette. We are lucky enough to see her bringing sticks and spider webs to the nest....Read More »
Tried of your regular pasta dinner, how about putting a twist on a classic? This Kimchi Carbonara is creamy, little tangy & cheesy with lots of bacon. So delicious! Recently, we went to a Korean restaurant called Yellow House Cafe that serves Korean comfort food and fusion food, like kimchi fried rice, KBBQ beef quesadilla,...Read More »
These Mini Chocolate Nutella Cheesecakes are rich, chocolatey with a subtle Nutella taste. They’re cute, decadent and excellent for Valentine’s Day or any occasion! I love cheesecake! And every once a while, I crave cheesecakes. What better way to satisfy my craving by making my own! I usually go for classic, berry or citrus ones,...Read More »
Satay Beef Egg Sandwich is the ultimate egg sandwich! It’s originally from Hong Kong, but now you can make it at home! Tender & juicy satay beef and fluffy scrambled egg in between two soft white toasts. Serve as breakfast or lunch! This week, I’m teaming up with my good friend, Bonnie to share recipes that are from...Read More »
Crumpet is a British griddle cake that has a crispy crust with a spongy soft inside. Spread with a layer of butter and jam/honey. With just a few ingredients, crumpet makes a perfect make-ahead breakfast. It’s hard to imagine a global pandemic would happen in our life time. It feels like we’re in a movie....Read More »
