Lily's Wai Sek Hong

Yan Yat Yee Sang

2012-01-29T11:09:00.000-07:00

Yan Yat Yee Sang - this must sound like a tongue twister, that's how chinese sounds when you do not speak or know how to, Alexander will ask - What did you say? and mumble whatever came out of his mouth. The Chinese Lunar New year is celebrated for 15 days, read about how these 15 days are celebrated. The chinese has their humour in a funny way - 12th day is The Diarrhea Day - ha ha. Today is the seventh day and It is known as "人日" Rénrì in mandarin or Yan Yat in cantonese or Everyone's Birthday, the day when everyone grows one year older. In West Malaysia and Singapore, Yu Sheng/Yee Sang, raw slivers of fish are tossed together with various pickles and vegeatble into a Salad. As they toss the salad, they raise the salad high with their chopsticks and say auspicious words...........

Continue to read HERE

Seaweed Crispies

2012-01-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

GONG XI FA CAI

This is a spin-off from Nori Crisps. These seaweed /nori crispies are so addictive and flavorful that they have to be fried and served for The Chinese New Year. They are so easy, just 3 ingredients and oil for deep frying. This year, instead of rolling them up or plain flat, i have twisted them into ribbons following Sesame Ribbon Crisp but do not double up the prepared pastry. For this recipe i have tweaked and used egg whites instead of the whole egg and found that the crispies remained crispier.

HERE is the recipe for Seaweed Crispies

Kuih Bangkit Gula Melaka Flavored

2012-01-18T08:49:00.001-07:00

Gula melaka a.k.a. Palm Sugar or 'Malacca Sugar'. Why Melaka/Malacca,? I have no idea and hope that you readers can enlighten me. Gula melaka is made by first extracting the sap from the flower bud of a coconut tree. Several slits are cut into the bud and a pot is tied underneath the bud to collect the sap. Then, the sap is boiled until it thickens after which, in the traditional way, it is poured into bamboo tubes between 3-5 inches in length, and left to solidify to form cylindrical cake blocks.....

Continue to read and for recipe click HERE

Wu Har/Taro Balls

2012-01-15T11:14:00.001-07:00

I remembered that when i was frying this Taro Crunch, i was saying to myself that there must be a better way to hold the taro shreds together while frying them and i thought of the net ladle used for steam boat. Yes, it is very successful and it makes pretty good balls of even sizes, light and crunchy..................

Continue to read and for recipe click HERE

Sesame Ribbon Crisp

2012-01-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

When i was making the Crispy Crackers for Yee Sang, i decided to make this Sesame Ribbon Crisp as it is the same recipe only it is formed into ribbons. These ribbons do not need any introduction, one bit into one and before you can chew on it, your hand will be reaching out for another. That's how good they are.

For recipe click HERE

Pineapple Tart Filling

2012-01-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

Ever since i owned a microwave oven in 1986, i have been using it alot to aid my cooking and it is the most used appliance in my kitchen. I would not have made or cooked so often if i have to slave on a stovetop for hours on end. The microwave has allowed me to cook faster without having to attend to the cooking and allowing me time to fulfil other tasks and the best part is that i do not have extra pots and pans for cleaning. This time of the year is always busy, busy, especially when the Chinese New Year is just 2 weeks away and it means that it is time to bake Pineapple Tarts which is a must for this celebration.........

Continue to read and for How to.... click HERE

Financier

2012-01-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

Financiers, a small French cake, are as rich as the bankers they were named for. The financier is a light, moist teacake, sweet, tender and beautiful in their simplicity...........

Continue to read and for recipe click HERE

Best Ever Carrot Cake For Tatum

2011-12-31T10:59:00.002-07:00

Your Merry Christmas may depend on what others do for you. But your Happy New Year depends on what you do for others - Anonymous. Thank you for such a meaningful greeting and just as the clock signals the arrival of New Year on the this midnight, i wish you all a better beginning tomorrow and

A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

To read further and for recipe click HERE

Christmas Star Bread

2011-12-23T09:13:00.001-07:00

Christmas has come and i would like to thank all my family, friends and readers for their support. I have baked a Christmas Star Bread as the Christmas Star is so very special and magical. Although this bread does not shine but it does light up my heart to see the smiles in the family when it was presented to be shared. Thank you Feeding My Enthusiasms for your inspiration.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

For recipe click HERE

Happy Winter Solstice

2011-12-22T12:44:00.000-07:00

If you live in this hemisphere, it’s your signal to celebrate. The shortest day is here! After the winter solstice, the days will get longer, and the nights shorter. It’s a seasonal shift that nearly everyone notices. Since the pace of living has become faster and people are now busier, some customs have fallen into oblivion but we should not allow it. We have to celebrate today, the Winter Solstice with a happy get-together and eat. Food plays an important part in my family during any festivities and we are going to enjoy 'Tong Yuen' in hot ginger sweet soup. Today is sure going to be the shortest day for us here, let is fall, let it fall, we have no where to go but to enjoy our 'Tong Yuen' and become one year older......

Continue to read and for recipe click HERE

Koledna Pitka Bulgarian Christmas Bread

2011-12-18T12:59:00.000-07:00

I had wanted to bake something Chrismas and instead of heading the cookie way, decided to make bread I know that bread is baked and shared on Chrismas time in most european countries. I googled and found this recipe which looked easy. I fell in love with it the moment i set eyes on the google image of this bread........

Continue to read and for recipe click HERE

Help OXO Bake a Difference with Cookies for Kids’ Cancer!

2011-12-08T13:09:00.000-07:00

Support Our Cause

I have partnered up with OXO to offer you this super cute “Good Cookie” spatula of which are sold nationwide to support the charity “Cookies for Kids Cancer”. It was founded by two OXO employees, Gretchen and Larry Witt, who were inspired by their son Liam’s battle with pediatric cancer. Cookies for Kids’ Cancer was born to help raise funds to help fight pediatric cancer through the concept of local bake sales. OXO employees were inspired to help “bake a difference” by baking cookies and holding bake sales and through their efforts have helped raise over $150,000 to support Cookies for Kids’ Cancer...................

Continue to read and know how you can help, also how to enter my giveaway HERE

Sambal Belacan

2011-12-02T10:53:00.000-07:00

What type of sambal do you like best? But before you can answer, you would have to know what Sambal is. Sambal is a chili based sauce which is popular in South East Asia and normally used as a condiment...........

Continue to read and for How to, click HERE

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T09:01:00.001-07:00

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth thursday in November each year and it is TODAY. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!. It is a special joyous family festival, well-commemorated to express gratitude and appreciation, a sincere thanksgiving offered to God for all His blessings, to the family, loved ones and friends for all their support. This is a holiday celebrated with lots of enthusiasm which involves family getting together from near and far, for a time of special communion and togetherness. In addition to family time, there are numerous activities and traditions which go along to make this day one of the most eventful days of the year, especially for Grandparents and Parents. Thanksgiving Dinner is usually the main event of the day and that's where the Turkey will be the center of attention.

I had better stop all these yaddy yaddy yaddy and get myself to some serious baking and cooking. But before i do that, i would like to express my thanks and appreciation to all my family, friends, readers, fellow bloggers for their support and their continuation to visit this humble blog. My greatest thanks go to Renee, who wrote so many wonderful things about me and said that i will love her forever, which i do and will love not only her but also Ashley and Alexander as well. I have enough of LOVE for all of them including the whole family.

With greatest gratitute, I wish you all HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

Brined Pork Chop Dinner

2011-11-20T12:49:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving is around the corner and i have been so caught up with whatever??????? and you would not believe me when i tell you that i have not even bought 'The Turkey' - a must have for Thanksgiving. Renee and Alexander are very optimistic that they might win a turkey AGAIN this year in their school Turkey Pokey. They confidently told me the other day when i mentioned that i have not bought the turkey yet - they said - Popo don't buy, we MIGHT come home with one from the school's Turkey Trot. I was so happy that they showed so much enthusiasm, i love all three of my grandchildren as they are such good kids - The chinese saying or rather my saying - "Ah po has no naughty grandchildren until they lau kei". So, for all those people who have not bought the turkey, please do so today cos these frozen birds take awhile to thaw and the clock is ticking fast to Thanksgiving Day. In the meantime, we all still have to dine and since the mind has been refreshed to BRINING, i would like to share a BRINED PORK CHOP dinner...............

To Continue to read and the recipe is HERE

Tiramisu Charlotte

2011-11-13T15:01:00.000-07:00

Tiramisu, an Italian cake and dessert. literally means "pick me up". It is made of ladyfingers (Italian: Savoiardi) dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of egg yolks and mascarpone, and flavored with liqueur and cocoa. Tiramisu is usually made in deep dish or casserole but i have decided to make it into a Charlotte.........

To continue reading and for recipe click HERE

Ladyfingers

2011-11-09T20:18:00.000-07:00

According to Wikipedia, Ladyfingers, are light and sweet sponge cakes roughly shaped like a large finger. They are called savoiardi in Italian (meaning "from Savoy"), or in French biscuits à la cuillère or boudoirs. In the UK they may be called sponge-fingers, trifle sponges or boudoir biscuits. In Dutch, they are called lange vingers, literally translating to "long fingers". In Germany they are called Löffelbiskuit, which translates to "spoon biscuit".

To read further and for recipe click HERE

Braised Beef Shank

2011-11-01T18:46:00.000-06:00

I love this beef stew with daikon/radish. It is a Cantonese favorite and it's usually eaten with egg noodle soup and tasted just as delicious with white rice. I like mine with lots of beef tendon, so i cooked this dish with beef shank instead of the usual beef brisket. Adding Daikon /radish to this stew is a must as beef and daikon/radish together is a marriage made in heaven........

To continue reading and for recipe click HERE

Chestnut Cake With Ganache Filling and Lacquer Glaze

2011-10-17T20:47:00.001-06:00

This glaze has intrigued me since I borrowed Rose Levy Beranbaum’s newest book, “Rose’s Heavenly Cakes”, which received “Cookbook of The Year” award and was also the winner in the “Baking: Savory or Sweet” category at 2010 IACP Cookbook Awards. Very well deserved. I finally had the opportunity to make it for Sandra's birthday. I used this glaze to replace the chocolate glaze suggested in Dorie Greenspan's Chocolate Caramel Chestnut Cake from her book - Baking From My Home to Yours...............

To continue reading and for recipe, click HERE

Rice Cake Soup / 떡국 / Ddeokguk

2011-10-14T16:15:00.001-06:00

When i cooked Ddeokbokki, i had to cook Ddeokguk, a soup filled with soft Korean rice cakes (Ddeok). Ddeokbokki was too spicy for my grandchildren. Renee will not try it , Alexander said that his palate is more mature and tried a piece. You should see his face turned red and his eyes rolled big from the spiciness. He reached for his Sprite and gave a big smile. We praised him for being so brave and he was beaming with pride..........

To continue to read and for recipe click HERE

Team Continuum

2011-10-14T10:42:00.001-06:00

Not Called Team CAN For Nothin'

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Ddeokbokki - Stir Fried Rice cake with Gochujang Sauce

2011-10-12T14:25:00.001-06:00

What is the difference between 'Ddeok' and 'Nian Gao'? 'Ddeok' is of Korean origin and 'Nian Gao' is chinese(Shanghainese). The only similarity is that they are both Rice Cake, the shapes might defer but the texture of the cake is the same - bland and chewy. You might be surprised to hear that ddeokbokki (Korean) originated from the royal palace in the Chosun dynasty. At that time they used soya sauce instead of gochujang paste, and the King had this Gungjung Ddeokbokki on New Year's day. Gungjung means “palace” in English. The chinese too serve this 'Nian Gao' on New Year's day, is this coincidental or what?????.

To continue to read and the recipe is HERE

Korean Seasoned Spinach (Sigeumchi Namul)

2011-10-08T08:15:00.000-06:00

Remember Popeye? I do cos i was called Olive, his girlfriend, for the longest ever. I supposedly looked like her in my teens, skinny as a stick, tall with a small head. Popeye, the cartoon character Popeye the Sailor Man , is portrayed as having a strong affinity for Spinach................

Continue to read and for recipe, click HERE

Korean Style-kong Namul Muchim/Soyabean sprout salad

2011-09-28T14:29:00.000-06:00

What is Banchan? Banchan (pronounced "bonchon") refers to the assorted sides served alongside a main course in Korean cuisine. About 2 to 12 banchan are served at any meal; are served in small portions, meant to be finished at each meal and are replenished during the meal if not enough. To me, the most important and well-known is kimchi, follow by cucumber kimchi ,daikon kimchi, soybean sprout salad, seasoned spinach and many more. As promised, i will try to post the banchan that i so often cooked when we have a korean bbq meal...............

Look out for the Seasoned Spinach recipe in my up-coming post.

To continue reading and for recipe, click HERE

Bulgogi and Kalbi/Galbi(Korean barbecued beef)

2011-09-23T15:42:00.002-06:00

There are three dishes in Korean cuisine most people are familiar with. The first one is kimchi which is fermented spicy cabbage. The 2nd and 3rd most popular are Korean barbecued beef dishes, Bulgogi and Kalbi / Galbi. The primary difference between bulgogi and kalbi/galbi, is the cuts of beef used, although the marinate is the same.. Kalbi/Galbi uses short-ribs while Bulgogi is thinly sliced, against the grain rib-eye steak. The marinate makes these two types of beef, sweet, tender, juicy and makes a deliciously enjoyable eating experience. Originally cooked over a wood fire but when prepared in at home or restaurants nowadays, the meat is often seared on a special curved broiler plate/hibachi grill placed in the middle of the table, where each guest cooks his or her own.

To continue reading and for recipe, click HERE

Flax-o-nana Bread/Banana Bread

2011-09-21T08:30:00.000-06:00

I named this bread Flax-o-nana cos it is a banana bread with flaxseeds and oats added. I have heard so much about Flaxseeds, .is it the new wonder food? Some call it one of the most powerful plant foods on the planet.That’s quite a tall order for a tiny seed that’s been around for centuries.

Click HERE to continue reading and for recipe.

Samosas

2011-09-19T13:41:00.000-06:00

Samosa, the delightful tasty little savory patty is a great gift to the world. from India. Samosa is so delicious and addictive that it cannot be mentioned in singular, Samosa, it has to be plural - Samosas, cos when served, - 'satu makan dua mahu" - in Malay, translated - 'you eat one and you will ask for seconds'.

Click HERE for recipe and continue reading.

Slow Cooker Barbecue Pork Ribs

2011-09-15T13:33:00.000-06:00

There are many right ways to make BBQ Ribs and it's all up to you and don't let anyone tell you that it isn't right. After all the best pork BBQ rib is the one you like best. So if you want them fall off the bone tender then make them that way. You can put sauce on them or not, you can make your BBQ Ribs spicy hot, or sticky and sweet, however, whatever.

I, for one does not like to buy store bought sauces and being part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I received KC Masterpiece Barbecue Sauce Southern Style for sampling................

Click HERE to read further and for recipe

Lily's Marble Cake

2011-09-14T19:47:00.000-06:00

I saw Gale Gand of Sweet Dreams in The Cooking Channel one morning, baking this marble cake which she said was deliciously moist. I don't know why, but lately i was not able to make a pound cake which will marble the way it should. So, when i saw Gale Gand did it, i had to give her way of marbling a go.

Continue to read further and for recipe click HERE

Alexander's 6th Birthday Cake

2011-09-13T13:30:00.001-06:00

My grandson, Alexander turned six on 26th July but his birthday party was posponed cos there was a freak accident which burned him quite badly. He had to have a skin graft and it was done a few days before his birthday. Thank goodness he has recovered well and we celebrated his birthday with several of his Grade 1 classmates............

To continue reading click HERE

Gravlax

2011-09-09T15:35:00.000-06:00

When Don from Simplybest From Food and Life posted Gravlax, i told her that i have not tasted Gravlax before and she gave me a lengthy tutorial on how to cure the salmon. Don and I chat on skype ever so often and it does not necessary the both of us, when we see Peng online, she will be added to the conference and the three of us will chat until the cows come home, that is 'the cows in Germany'. I knew Don from way back when food forums were very popular, we were very active members and we met many other members who were just as passionate in cooking and baking. Although most food forums died naturally, our friendship continued to another level, we chat on skype.........

Click HERE to continue reading and for recipe

Pan fried Salmon Fillets with tomatoes and sage butter sauce

2011-08-31T13:37:00.000-06:00

Can you think of even one Chinese dish that uses olive oil? I can't !! i cook everyday and not necessary chinese and i do not cook with Olive Oil until as part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I received Crisco Olive Oil. and the Light Tasting Olive Oil which was recommended for frying caught my attention. It's about time that i have to think of my family's health and according to a well known chinese chef, that when cooking with Olive oil , the ingredients don’t absorb large amounts of olive oil as they do with other types of oil, thus will help reduce calories.

Click HERE for recipe

Chicken Parmesan Birds Eye® Voila!®

2011-08-29T10:25:00.001-06:00

As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I received Birds Eye® Voila!® - Chicken Parmesan at the most appropriate moment, saving my day. With every crisis, comes an opportunity for someone or something. The someone was me, the crisis was, i had a deep cut on my index finger and can't continue to cook dinner, so, the opportunity came for me to open up this pack of - Chicken Parmesan and in minutes, dinner was served. You should see the twinkle in Renee's eye when she saw what was in front of her - a plate of breaded tender white meat chicken, penne pasta and roma tomatoes in marinara sauce. it was lip smacking good and utterly satisfying. Thank you Birds Eye® Voila!®, you saved my dinner.

I have to apologize for this belated post as it was impossible to type without the index finger and am now struggling to type with one index finger at this moment to fulfil my commitment as part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program.

TGIF's SPECIALS

2011-08-25T14:36:00.001-06:00

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Eclairs

2011-08-23T10:52:00.001-06:00

I have made eclairs and i have made eclairs, also i have made cream puffs but what is the difference between a cream puff and an eclair? Both are made with choux pastry, so, shape is only essential difference. Every time i make a batch of choux pastry, i will pipe some round and some long. To my grand kids, don't ask if they want cream puffs or eclairs. Renee will say she wants the round ones and Alexander prefers the long ones - no name calling. To me, somehow the round ones - cream puffs are more photogenic but eclair is the ugly duckling...............

To continue reading and the recipe with how-to is HERE

Twice Baked Potatoes

2011-08-20T19:55:00.001-06:00

Potatoes need no introduction and bla bla bla about how good and bad they are. I just would like to let you all know about toxicity in potatoes. I am sure many of us did not realise that potato plant poisoning occurs when someone eats the green tubers or new sprouts of the potato plant. The poison is found throughout the plant, but especially in green potatoes and new sprouts. Never eat potatoes that are spoiled or green below the skin, always throw away the sprouts (the green is due to a high concentration of the glycoalkaloid poison). Potatoes that are not green and have had any sprouts removed are safe to eat. Read more from Snopes.com.

To continue reading and the recipe is HERE

Fish Maw Soup

2011-08-18T19:00:00.000-06:00

In Cantonese culinary, 鲍参翅肚 (abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin, and fish stomach) are considered the top four gourmet items from the sea. The fish stomach referenced here is the fish maw.

For those who don’t know, fish maw is the air bladder (also called swim bladder) that is found in all fish except sharks and rays. The maws served in restaurants are usually from the conger pikes. The cleaned maw is dried and then deep fried to make it puffy. In this state it will keep indefinitely. . The maw in itself is a texture ingredient only, it has no fishy taste, and is usually cooked with other strongly flavoured ingredients.it takes on the flavor of surrounding ingredients it is cooked with like a sponge.

To read further and for recipe click HERE

Yau Yee Cheng Chee Yoke/Steamed Ground Pork With Dried Squid

2011-08-15T10:35:00.000-06:00

This dish is without a doubt in any MOM's repertoire, asian moms that is. Steaming ground pork and adding whatever to enhance the ground pork has been cooked and served since time immemorial.

To read further and for recipe, it is HERE

Buttermilk Scones

2011-08-12T10:57:00.001-06:00

Using buttermilk, instead of heavy cream, makes a lighter, more bread-like scone. They are baked at a higher than normal oven temperature which gives them a darker, crispier crust............

To read further and the recipe can be found HERE

Coconut Milk Egg White Tarts

2011-08-03T11:51:00.000-06:00

Julie, a reader of my blog, requested if i have a recipe for this egg tart. She said that she does not know how to call this tart, so do I !!!. I have not heard of it, she said she ate them in Hong Kong and I regreted that she did not ask me a year ago cos i was in Hong Kong last year and would have gone to get some. Julie, thank you for introducing me to this tart and have the confidence in me to try and build up a recipe from looking at a picture.

To read further and the recipe is HERE

Soft Tofu and Fish Paste/老少平安

2011-07-31T16:39:00.000-06:00

This dish is simple to prepare and it is considered as Mom's cooking. I don't know about other Moms but i do know that my Mom love to cook this and the whole family loved the dish. After the family laid my Mom to rest last year, my brother took us out for lunch and he ordered this dish. It was then that he told me the name of this dish - Lo Sui Ping On.

To read further and for recipe, click HERE

Lau Sar Pau

2011-07-19T08:51:00.000-06:00

With less exposure of asian food, i am so behind with the 'in' asian food if not for my good friends from the Orient. They would ask me if i have eaten these or that and thank goodness for the internet, i am able to Google as to what they were asking about....

To read further and the recipe is HERE

East Meets West- Zucchini with Pork and Rice Stuffing

2011-07-18T16:12:00.001-06:00

This is a guest post from Reese Darragh of The New Art Of Baking. A Malaysian living in the United States, Thank you Reese for coming to my rescue for not posting as often as i used to, you know, it's the summer and so much to do.

The recipe and how to are HERE

Omelette Soup

2011-07-15T12:19:00.000-06:00

When it comes to summer weeknight cooking, the name of the game is getting dinner on the table fast and not slave over a hot stove. It is an added bonus when quick dishes like this soup can be so simple and delicious. This soup is light enough to counteract the rising temperatures. and guaranteed to cool you down on those hot summer days. I am sure everyone knows about the popularity of The Egg Drop Soup and this soup is very closely related...........

Continue to read and the recipe is HERE

Almond Sugee Cake Transformed

2011-07-12T11:21:00.000-06:00

How in the world can these young minds tackle these complicated toys - The Transformers? I dread it when my grandson comes and ask me to transorm it cos i can never get it. It really makes me feel so stupid and wished that my Ah Poh had put in an extra item in my rattan school bag on my first day of school. The
Spring Onion and The Mirror did not help for me at all when these Transformers are concerned. I needed a brain transplant, a young brain cos this old brain of mine is only good for transforming a plain looking cake into something which will be presentable on a festive occasion..............

The recipe can be found HERE

Almond Sugee Cake

2011-07-06T14:29:00.001-06:00

Today is the first day of school for my grand children. Renee is in Grade 4 and Alexander is in Grade 1. Seeing the both of them going to school this morning brought me back to when i started school a long long time ago. It was early January, 1952 when my grandma, Ah Poh, took me to the Convent School. My Ah Poh was very persistent that i should be in an all girl school and had to bribe the nuns to take me in cos we were non-catholic nor rich enough. On the first day of school, i remembered i was made to carry a rattan basket but i did not have any school books cos i have not been accepted as a student yet. But, i do have several contents in there which were very interesting. My Ah Poh had her rituals and all meant for the wellness of my future.......

Continue to read HEREand find out what were the interesting contents in my rattan basket and also the recipe for Almond Sugee Cake.

Char Siew Pork Ribs

2011-06-27T20:44:00.000-06:00

The Char Siew posting in this blog is one of the most sort after and from the comments, i know that everyone who have tried making Char Siew with this recipe liked it alot. My family always give me the thumb up when Char Siew Pork or Char Siew Pork Ribs are served. Make sure you have a huge pile of napkins ready cos these Char Siew Pork Ribs are so finger-licking good . Basically, the marinate is the same, the only difference is the choice of meat, one is just shoulder/belly pork while this are Ribs be it Spare or Baby Back

Continue for recipe HERE

Flaky Egg Tarts

2011-06-21T09:25:00.001-06:00

If you are a Dim Sum lover, you will recognise these delectable tarts and if you frequent the Dim Sum restaurants, you will know that these tarts disappear fast. If you do not ask the waitress to reserve some when they are out of the oven, you will not have any...........

To read further and the recipe on how to is HERE

Fried Shallots from Scratch

2011-06-15T17:23:00.001-06:00

Shallots are called bawang merah kecil (small red onions) in Malay. Do not confuse shallots with green onions or scallions. Shallots tend to be more expensive than onions but their sweeter, milder, more complex flavor are worth it, no wonder they are much favored by chefs. I am quite lucky that shallots are not that expensive and affordable unlike Down Under, i was told that they are cost double digits $$.

The step by step is HERE

Fleischmann's 1 Dish Cinnamon Swirl

2011-06-10T10:01:00.000-06:00

When i saw this recipe in a magazine, i knew it would come in handy one day. The one day came when i had guests and i had no plans for breakfast, there were no sausages nor bread and i had only 1 egg but i had this recipe..........

Continue to read and for recipe HERE

Whitebait Omelette

2011-06-07T10:16:00.000-06:00

What is Whitebait? Read about it in Wiki. I have always known it to be called "Ngan Yee Chai" translated literally from cantonese will be "Silver Fish". and when i googled for more info, i was horrified that the 'paramites' that we find in our old forgotten books are also called 'Silver Fish' - i have totally forgotten about these, perhaps at this age of computers, who goes to look for any info amongst the old books?

For Whitebait Omelette recipe, it is HERE

Madeleines - Chef Daniel Boulud

2011-06-03T17:22:00.001-06:00

This has been my 6th times that i have been on this page. Have been trying to post this but has always been interrupted by calls or whatever?? I hope i made it this time in posting this recipe. This following recipe was originally published in the cookbook “Chef Daniel Boulud – Cooking in New York City.” I knew this recipe would produce good Madeleines, as i have good faith in Chef Daniel Boulud to publish a reliable recipe. He did and this recipe is easy and a keeper. I have changed the method and instead of dusting with confectioner's sugar as suggested, i hae coated one end with melted chocolate to enhance the appearance as well as improving the flavor.

The recipe is HERE

Easy Popiah

2011-05-25T10:41:00.000-06:00

Now that i have made Fresh Popiah Skin, i can't wait to try tasting them. Can't have a traditional Popiah Meal without the necessary ingredients and a good Popiah Meal require a long lists of fresh ingredients

The recipe for the filling is HERE

Fresh Homemade Popiah Skin

2011-05-22T12:47:00.002-06:00

Although Spring is gone and Summer is around the corner, the amount of rain that we have been getting made me feel that Spring has not gone. Spring is nature's way of saying that it is time to Party and eating fresh. How appropriate it will be to have a Popiah Party. Popiah is a very popular dish in Malaysia and it is a wrap filled with fresh ingredients of Spring. Spring vegetables take quite an enormous part in this Popiah Play/Party but the wrap - Popiah Skin take the center stage. Without the Popiah Skin, there is no play or party.

The recipe and how to make Popiah Skin is HERE

Pani Popo

2011-05-18T10:40:00.031-06:00

What caught my eye the first thing in the morning on Mother's Day was Pani Popo posted by King Arthur Flour.com Blog. It was Mother's Day and I thought this dish was named after me - POPO. POPO in cantonese is the name given to you when you have grand children from your daughter, meaning the maternal grandmother. The paternal grandmother in cantonese is MAH MAH - not mama who is mother. The chinese have specific names to address everyone in the family. If i mention that i am The POPO, asian friends need not asked further, they know that these children are my daughter's.

To read further and the recipe is HERE

Coach Handbag Cake

2011-05-14T07:37:00.000-06:00

The family has been invited to celebrate a birthday of our dearest friend and it is difficult to buy her a gift, so i decided to make her one. Since i have had a go at making cakes with fondant, i have to make a handbag cake. The celebration is at a restaurant 25 miles away, then after dinner, we will have to adjourned to her house which is another 25 miles away. Will the handbag cake stand the journey. standing up like most 3-D handbags? I am not taking the chance. with all the rain that we had, the roads here are hole -ier and should be renamed - Church Road. So, the handbag cake has to lie down. like as if it is packed in a box. I am not trusting the flimsy cardboard box and has put the cake on to my cake carrier. It would look so much more like the real Mccoy of a Coach Handbag instead of a cake, but well, it is a cake and accept all the imperfections along with it. Happy Birthday Dearest Friend, B and in cantonese - Leen Leen Yau Kum Yat, Sui Sui Yau Kum Chwee, Fook Yee Thoong Hoi, Sau Pei Lam San.

Pai Pau

2011-05-10T11:48:00.002-06:00

Pai pau (排包- which literally translates to rows of bread), is a popular bread in Hong Kong. It is the basic asian bread dough which is shaped in rolls, arranged closely together and baked. To eat them, one is to pull them apart and enjoy the incredible softness. This bread is rich and super fluffy, full flavor from the eggs and cream..

The recipe is HERE

Nasi Lemak

2011-05-07T08:53:00.000-06:00

Without a doubt Nasi Lemak is possibly the greatest dish ever created by Malaysians. It needs no introduction, nasi lemak is one of the most versatile meals that can be found everywhere in Malaysia, be it in the heart of any Malaysian cities or in the remotest areas of the country.

The recipe and how to are HERE

No More Domed Cakes

2011-05-03T21:22:00.000-06:00

If you have been baking as much i did, you would understand how frustrating it must be when the cakes you baked come out of the oven domed and they needed to be levelled for layering.

Learn how to do it HERE

Rose Paus

2011-04-20T10:44:00.002-06:00

As a presence in a room with its scent, color, and shape, a rose can take possession of the viewer's innermost thoughts and emotions, making everything else look absurdly small in comparison. This you are talking about A Rose, but how about a plate full of Roses, edible ones? Yes, what are your innermost thoughts when you looked at this plate? Are your emotions all worked up? bet you would want to grap one and give it a good sniff. Oops, should have used some rose essence on the paus but for now the aroma of yeast has to please the nose..

You would hope to win the heart by giving a rose but by giving a plateful, i hope to satiate the stomach and increase your waistline.

Giving white roses says that you believe that your intentions are pure and that the recipient is worthy. This statement is so true, i am sharing this recipe with good pure intentions and all you recipients are definitely worthy

The recipe and step-by-step on how to make Rose Paus is HERE

So Happy Together

2011-04-18T09:47:00.014-06:00

As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I received Tyson Grilled And Ready Chicken and Uncle Ben’s(R) Whole Grain White Rice and they arrived so timely TOGETHER which made me SO HAPPY cos i had to feed 2 hungry grandkids who looked like they were going to be knocked out if food was not ready in a JIFFY. These 2 products helped me to keep up with my repertoire of cooking IN A JIFFY. Looking at the whole grain white rice, i know my picky grandkids will not eat it, but ???? they love Hainanese Chicken Rice, so i cooked this rice the Hainanese way - thank you 'Paydey Ben' (Paydey is Uncle in Hainanese, i hope i got it right). Tyson Grilled and Ready saved the day too. When the rice was ready, the Tyson Chicken slices were already ready as stated. The grandkids were ready to eat and everyone, Rice, Chicken and grandkids were all SO HAPPY TOGETHER.

HERE is the recipe.

Fried Tofu Squares With Beef

2011-04-14T11:00:00.000-06:00

What do you really miss/crave when away from your homeland? Do you crave some basic things, that seem small, but their absence is heavily missed. I do and what i missed most is - going to the wet markets and getting all the ingredients to cook. This simple ingredient is tasteless, but delicately flavored--soft soy bricks known as tofu. Here there are two main kinds of tofu, silken or soft tofu, and firm or regular tofu and they are boxed. What i missed most is the kind which is called - SANG FAH in cantonese. They are usually square and has a thin skin layer of the pattern of the muslin cloth used to cover it. In fact, in IPOH, MALAYSIA a city which is popular for the best tofu, even displays the tofu still with the muslin cloth and when you wish to purchase it, then only will the cloth be removed. I don't know if this practice is still there and i hope it is cos they are the best tofu, so smooth and delicate. One bite and you will be in TOFU HEAVEN. IPOH -lites, please tell me that these tofu are still selling in the wet markets.

The recipe for Fried Tofu Squares with Beef is HERE

Garlicky Belly Pork

2011-04-11T15:31:00.000-06:00

Have you ever eaten or cooked with pork belly? Pork belly is usually referred to the belly region of a pig which is from the underside. Pork Bellies are more commonly known as Bacon and now, when you think of all the delicious bacon recipes, you know where it comes from Eating Belly pork gives you an amazing textural experience, a feeling of flavor oozing in mouth You have a nice layer of meat, a nice layer of fat, another nice layer of meat, another nice layer of fat, and when you cook it properly, this combination of textures together with its rich, juicy loveliness will satiate your palate.

This cut of meat is enormously popular in chinese and korean cuisine.

The recipe for Garlicky Belly Pork is HERE

Second Fondant Birthday Cake

2011-04-07T12:55:00.000-06:00

I would like to share some pictures of my second attempt in making birthday cakes iced with fondant. Tatum and Cole are twins and just turned 10. Tatum being a girl wanted a cake with Shaymin - a Pokemon character and Cole wanted a chocolate cake and provided me with the toys he wanted to be on top of his cake. Happy Birthday, Tatum and Cole.

I used this cocoa-yogurt-layer-cake for the cakes. For the recipe and how to make Gumpaste and Marshmallow Fondant is HERE. The Buttercream recipe is HERE

Cocoa Yogurt Layer Cake

2011-04-04T10:41:00.000-06:00

I have been preoccupied the whole of last week, doing what?????? What else? Making figurines out of gumpaste and baking of course. I had to make a cake for a set of twins, Tatum and Cole who turned 10. Cole wanted a Chocolate Cake, so this was the cake i made. I took this opportunity to experiment on 'HOW to bake a LEVEL cake', one which i did not have to level by cutting into the cake. I am sure, all you bakers will agree on how frustrating it must be, to level cakes by slicing and ending up with mounts of scrapes. I will post my experiments as soon as possible but first i would like to share this cake recipe which is a very tender, inexpensive cake.

The recipe for Cocoa Yogurt Layer Cake is HERE

No Knead Rosemary Foccacia

2011-03-28T11:28:00.002-06:00

I was at the Library and found this Sept - Oct 2008, Cook's Illustrated and it featured a "Better Foccacia". How better is it? i would have to bake one to find out. The best part in the process of making this Foccacia is - no need to knead. It has been quite awhile since Alexander made The No-knead Bread, and i ask if he would like to help make bread again. He was only 3 when he helped with The No Knead Bread and now that he is coming to be 6, has other more interesting activities than helping me in the kitchen. He does not need to help , i would be the happiest, if he will eat my cooking or baking. When i bake bread, Renee is my biggest fan, she can smell bread baking in the oven a mile away and would always ask when can she have a piece. She likes everything that is doughy, she is a carb person.

The recipe and how to make No Knead Foccacia is HERE

Renee's 9th Birthday Cake

2011-03-21T13:36:00.000-06:00

Renee will be turning NINE on March 23rd and last saturday, she celebrated with a birthday party for her classmates. What a lovely day it was, the sun was shinning but unfornately the kids were not able to play outside as it was too windy. I hope the kids enjoyed the party and i am sure they did, dancing, doing the Limbo and whatever they could do with the stick. Can't imagine that a blow-up stick can provide such good entertainment. My proudest moment was when i saw the expressions on the children's faces when they saw the birthday cake, i think i have achieved my tasks, they recognized all the Pokeman characters on the cake.

The recipe and how to are HERE

Yellow Butter Cake

2011-03-18T10:38:00.000-06:00

I have so often used potato starch as a thickener for sauces, soups, and stews but for adding it to my flour for baking, this is my first.

Potato starch is not potato flour. Potato flour is dehydrated potatoes ground into powder and is much heavier and denser. Potato starch is the result of an extraction process removing the starch only from the potato. Think of the white foam that floats to the top when you boil potatoes, that's potato starch. Potato starch has no gluten. It is used in recipes for those who are gluten intolerant.

The Yellow Butter Cake Recipe is HERE

Brioche Bread

2011-03-15T20:16:00.000-06:00

Brioche is a light but rich French bread made with a yeast dough enriched with eggs, milk, and butter. This recipe i am sharing is one which is made with oil and in a bread machine.

The recipe for Brioche Bread is HERE

Chicken In A Jiffy For Hainanese Chicken Rice

2011-03-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

In a Jiffy - i am branded with this statement so i must keep my up with my repertoire of cooking in a jiffy, i would like to share my way of cooking 'Chicken in a Jiffy For Hainanese Chicken Rice'.

For step by step on how to microwave chicken and hainanese chicken rice, the recipe is HERE

Longevity Peach Bun for Birthday

2011-03-07T17:27:00.000-07:00

Showing respect and esteem for the elderly is a tradition that remains today. Nowadays, when grandparents or parents reach the ages of 70, 80 or 90, their children and grandchildren organize ceremonies for longevity. Such celebrations, either large or small, are occasions to show devotion and respect to grandparents and parents. Celebrations for longevity, manifest the family’s joy in having a relative who has been able to lead a long life. The Chinese God of Longevity, known as Sau, is a symbol of easy life, smooth living, and victory over the strife that life can sometimes cause. A gourd is attached to the end of his staff which is said to hold the elixir of life or immortality. Sau is usually depicted holding a peach, which is the divine fruit of the gods, allowing them to live forever, therefore making Sau Tou/Peach Buns is a must for longevity celebration. Besides having a banquet of which long and thin noodles are served, everyone will be blessed with presents ,

a red envelope/lei si, - Good blessings.

a longetivity rice bowl together with a pair of chopsticks - wishing steady income in the future

and

a pair of wooden CLOGS - wishing a successful career ~~ "po po ko sing" which means to rise to the top, step by step.

Read about the story of the Longevity Peach (bun) HERE

The recipe for Longevity Peach Bun is HERE

Homemade Strudel - Viennese Apple Strudel

2011-03-01T14:58:00.000-07:00

According to Wiki - "traditional Austrian Strudel pastry is different from strudels served in other parts of the world that are often made from filo or puff pastry. The traditional Strudel pastry dough is very elastic. It is made from flour with a high gluten content, egg, water, and butter with no sugar added. The dough is worked vigorously, rested, and then rolled out and stretched by hand very thinly. Pertaining to anecdotes, purists say, it should be so thin that a newspaper can be read through it. A legend has it that the Austrian Emperor's perfectionist cook decreed that it should be possible to read a love letter through it. The thin dough is laid out on a tea towel, and the filling is spread on it. The dough with the filling on top is rolled up carefully with the help of the towel and baked in the oven."

The recipe and step by step on how to made the strudel from scratch is HERE

Mee Rebus

2011-02-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

Mee Rebus which is of Indian origin and a spin off from Indian Rojak. It does not need any introduction to Malaysians or Singaporeans who are not Indian. Ask them about Mee Rebus or Indian Rojak and you get a smile in their faces and a thumb-up - sedap, hojiak and yummy.

Recipe for Mee Rebus is HERE

Apple Frangipane Tart

2011-02-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

This tart has that perfect combination of buttery and crumbly pastry, sweet almond cream, and slices of apple. Apples are one of the more versatile fruits and in baking, it is important to use the right type of apple i.e. one that retains its shape when baked and Granny Smith Apples is the one. They are readily available year round and their tart flavor and firm texture make them ideal not only for this tart, but in pies too.

Frangipane is the French name for a rich pastry filling/topping whose principal ingredient is ground almonds or almond paste.

Recipe for Apple Frangipane Tart is HERE

Tang Yuan/Yuanzi

2011-02-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

The 15th day of the first lunar month is the traditional Chinese Yuanxiao Festival. Because the first lunar month is also called “yuan” month; the night of the 15th day of yuan month is the first night that the moon gets full; xiao means “night,” so the festival is named Yuanxiao Festival or Shangyuan Festival, Yuanxi Festival or Lantern Festival. Read further about this festival Yuanxiao Festival

Continue for recipe HERE

Valentine Drink

2011-02-13T20:42:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is February 14 and on this day, lovers express their love and affection for each other by presenting flowers and offering confectionery. This is a western tradition and lovers around the world are all worked up on this day especially with such high media on this subject. I think although the chinese might be less romantic, they are more sensible. This chinese say is so true - YAU CHENG YAM SUI PAU (Cantonese meaning - when you are in LOVE, you don't need food, WATER will satiate). Lovers around the world, don't you agree with this saying?

So, for the love in my life, i give you - WATER

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Pong Siak Ku

2011-02-09T13:05:00.000-07:00

It was on this day, the eight day of the Chinese New Year that my family had to gather at Granpa and Grandma's home where the Celebration of the Hokkien New Year will be. It was celebrated with more grandeur compared to the 1st day, this was because our Hokkiens ancestors were in hiding in the sugarcane plantation from the bandits and only had the chance to celebrate the New Year on the 9th day. The good had triumphed over evil and the belief was and still is, that the Jade Emperor (Thee kong – translated as “king of the heavens”) protected our Hokkien ancestors from being caught, which is why we offer thanksgiving prayers to him..

Continue to read and for recipe HERE

Ong Lai Rabbit/Rabbit Pineapple Tarts

2011-02-02T12:20:00.003-07:00

Would like to share some of my Pineapple Tarts which i made this year. Since this is the year of the Rabbit, i tried making some in the shape of the Rabbit and it was quite fun to make especially i had Renee helping me. She was a great help and i should say, we were a great team. When i had the Rabbit's body ready, which was a round piece of dough wrapped with pineapple jam, she had the Rabbit's tail, ears and nose ready for me. Alexander, helped too, he did the egg white wash so that i could adhere the tail, ears and nose. The Rabbits looked great and cute, before they were baked but when they came out of the oven, they had attitute. Some lost their tails and noses and Renee blamed Alexander for doing a shoddy job in glazing. Well, these tarts are handmade and can we expect factory-machine made tarts?

I tried making some other shapes like gold ingots, which i gave up after making a few, cos it took up too much time and it was laborious. Besides it did not turn out so pretty. The pineapple shape was good, easy and fast. The next time around i would use more dough rather than more jam, then they would be better looking.

GONG XI FA CAI

Continue HERE

A Prosperous and A Happy Chinese New Year

2011-02-02T08:05:00.004-07:00

I know by now most of my relatives and friends in the otherside of the world, should have enjoyed their Reunion Dinner and would be having fun karaoke-ing and waiting for The God of Weath to arrive. Me, still snuggling under the blankets and dreaming of a luxious meal. Anyway, i am awake and trying to post this so that i can wish all of you out there who will be celebrating the Chinese New Year - A Prosperous and Happy Chinese New Year.

Jade Cookies

2011-01-31T14:46:00.000-07:00

When your mom told you to eat your peas, she knew what she was talking about. With green peas, it's true that good things come in a small package and the good things are that they are packed with fantastic health benefits. High in protein, but low in calories, green peas keep your energy levels up, immune system strong and heart healthy. Overall, green peas are an economical, easy, healthy vegetable to add to almost any meal and an excellent vegetable to eat on a regular basis.

Continue for recipe HERE

Spiku/Kue Lapis Surabaya

2011-01-29T17:00:00.000-07:00

It is good to know the fact that the name of this cake 'Kue Lapis Surabaya' is unknown to the citizens of the city of Surabaya, Indonesia. So, don't go around asking about Kue Lapis Surabaya if you meet anyone from Surabaya, they will be just as blank as you are. Ask them about 'Spiku' and there will be a conversation until the cows come home I have seen many types of 'Spiku' and they all look great but since this is the first for me have to have a go for the original which consists of three layers of very moist and dense sponge type cake with the chocolate layer cake in the middle, sandwiched between two golden sponge cake. Every layer require 10 egg yolks!!!!!!!. Shocking but yes, without any egg whites, the texture of the cake is soft, moist and rich. Good european butter added extra richness and i should say, it's a requisite.

Continue to read and for recipe HERE

Fragrant Hup Toh SouI/Walnut Cookie

2011-01-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

I have made Hup Tou Sou several times and i hope you all are not fed-up of seeing another walnut cookie. Luckily nuts are beneficial to our health as i am going nut looking at nuts everyday. The first recipe i made last year was of a crunchy texture and these Walnut Cookies were delicious but they were flat. Then this recipe had the crunch and melted in the mouth but lack the nuttiness.

So, the fourth recipe came into being and it is HERE

Almond Tuiles

2011-01-24T12:08:00.000-07:00

It was the year 2000 that i was in Paris and it was there and then that i was introduced to authentic french cuisine. Thien, our dear family friend was home in Paris and we decided to join him. His Papa and Maman graciously took us in and not only did we get boarded, we had most of our meals catered for by Papa and Maman.

Papa would get up early every morning and go to the best bakery to get the freshest baguette available. Manan would get up earlier and she would start baking. We did not need an alarm clock to wake up in the morning. Her bakings smelled so good and the fragrance of her baking was our morning call. I had wanted so much to learn baking from her but unfortunately she could not wait for me to wake up and every morning, perfect pastries were laid out all ready for breakfast.

Almond Tuiles recipe is HERE

Almond London Cookies

2011-01-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

What's behind that name of this cookie? For the Almond, it is self explanatory but London????? Could this be a signature dessert for the Londoners? Whatever, these cookies are very popular in Malaysia, more so for the Hari Raya Celebration than the Chinese New Year.

Continue for recipe HERE

Dongpo Rou

2011-01-20T19:10:00.000-07:00

Why is this dish called ‘Dongpo Rou’. There are many fables and this Dongpo Rou Story is the most popular of all.

Continue for recipe HERE

Hup Toh Sou II/Chinese Walnut Cookie

2011-01-18T09:21:00.006-07:00

I am always concern about nutrition and want to find easy ways to be healthier, one of the best things you could do is eat nuts because they're loaded with vitamins and minerals. Nuts are super healthy! My favorite of all the nuts is walnuts and not only do they taste great, they are a rich source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and an excellent source of those hard to find omega-3 fatty acids. Like most nuts, you can snack or add to your favorite salad, vegetable dish, fruit, dessert or bakings. You can never go wrong when you pair Walnuts with your baking and Walnut cookies is one of them.

The recipe is HERE

Walnut Cookies

2011-01-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

When a friend wrote on my wall on Facebook and asked if i have Hup Toh Sou, this reminded me that this Hup Tou Sou recipe is very crunchy and crispy. I like it to be more "SOU". "SOU" in chinese means and if i am not wrong, a kind of cookie which has a bite and yet melts in the mouth. So, i went looking for new recipes and in my search among my cookbooks, i found this by Martin Yan.

Continue for recipe HERE

Palmiers Again And Again

2011-01-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

The name Palmier means “palm leaves” in French. These cookies are also known as “Elephant Ear.” In Germany they’re called “Schweineohren”.

These French Palmiers are fantastic, traditionally, the recipe is time consuming and labor intensive, but it can be so easy-to-make, especially if you follow Quickest Puff Pastry Nick Malgieri

The Palmiers Again And Again recipe is HERE

Squirrel Fish (松鼠鱖魚)

2011-01-08T11:24:00.000-07:00

The most important date in the lunar calendar is Chinese New Year - it’s a traditional time for feasting with family and friends that dates back thousands of years

Fish has symbolic significance to the chinese because the Chinese word for fish, yu, sounds like the word for riches or abundance, and it is believed that eating fish will help your wishes come true in the year to come. So, by cooking this fish dish - The Squirrel Fish" and serving it on Chinese New Year's Eve Dinner. I hope that all your wishes will come true in the Rabbit Year. The fish is never eaten completely since leaving some behind hints at the family's ability to 'always have enough'.

The recipe is HERE

Gong Xi Fa Cai Cookie

2011-01-06T11:19:00.021-07:00

The Chinese New Year 2011, The year of the Rabbit, is not far away, only 27 days more to 3rd February, 2011. Join me in The Cooking and Baking Bandwagon to bake cookies/biscuits and cook auspicious dishes to usher in the New Year. The first to jump into the Bandwagon is this Gong Xi Fa Cai Cookie which is actually Linzer Cookie. I found a rabbit design among my grandchildren's play dough set and i used it to cut the design for the top cookie.

The recipe is HERE

Classic Twisted Pastry Straws

2011-01-04T13:54:00.003-07:00

As promised, i have made these Classic Twisted Pastry Straws and they are the best Straws i have ever made. They were all gone as soon as they came out of the oven and cool enough to eat.

Continue for recipe HERE

Quickest Puff Pastry Nick Malgieri

2011-01-02T16:55:00.003-07:00

Let it snow, let it snow and it was snowing hard up in the mountains. The calling to ski at the slopes was there and up the mountains we went. The family hit the slopes before we checked in to the condo. As soon as I checked in, i started to cook lunch which was an easy one, just sprinkle the chicken legs with seasoned salt and basil,(i found these seasonings in the cabinet of the condo), and put them to broil. There was nothing to do but to wait for them to cook, so, in the meantime i had to watch tv. There was no cable and the only channel that excited me was Hallmark - Martha Stewart was making cookies. The show was interesting and i was so engrossed, especially the cookie which was made of meringue, then added roasted hazelnuts and poured the mixture into a large saucepan. The commercials came on at the same time with the smoke alarm. I was ALARMED!!!!! Lily, you are in trouble, quick, locate the smoke alarm. Good, found it, grapped a chair and stood on it, luckily i was able to reach and turn off the alarm. I came down from the chair and turned to look at the tv, Martha Stewart was eating the crunchy meringue cookie. Oh no, I missed the part of what was done with the meringue in the saucepan. Trying to find the recipe, of which i am still trying to, instead, while i was looking, i found this clip The teacher show and Nick Malgieri was teaching how to make this quickest puff pastry. After watching and seeing how easy it was, i had to make it.

The How to is HERE

Pork Floss Bread Roll

2010-12-31T10:13:00.000-07:00

2010 has been an exciting, happy year and also a sad one for me, I lost my mother but was glad that i get to see all my siblings and relatives when i was back in Malaysia. The exciting part is that Lily's Wai Sek Hong had a baby Lily's Wai Sek Hong - Favorites. The baby although still in diapers and crawling, not actually walking properly yet, is coming along great and hope that it will grow to be like Mommy. who had help and support from all of you.

Mommy thanks all her readers who have been following her blog and wish them a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

See you all in 2011.

Auld Lang Syne : Lyrics

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne!

Chorus.-

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne.

We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

Recipe for Pork Floss Bread Roll is HERE

Guggelhopf

2010-12-22T11:04:00.001-07:00

There are many recipes for Guggelhopf as there are spellings to this bread. I did try making one when i got my silicone mould but i was not happy with the recipe i tried. I like the design of the mould so much that i had to bake with it, so i made a savory version - Chance Tomato Gugelhupf and it was a wonderful bread. This Christmas, i must make the Mccoy Guggelhopf, so i consulted my friend, Donna, who is residing in Germany for a recipe and she immediately gave me this recipe which i had tweaked. Thank you Donna, you are always my lifeline on European Cuisine. BTW Donna's blog is Simplybest From Food And Life . Donna told me that Guggelhopf is how the German spells this bread, she should know, she is German.

Continue for recipe HERE

Chistmas Jello

2010-12-20T11:53:00.001-07:00

The Importance of Color -

Colors have a significant impact on people’s emotional state. They also have been shown to impact people’s ability to concentrate and learn. They have a wide variety of specific mental associations. Colors also have a functional impact on readability, eye-strain, ability to attract attention, ability to be seen at night, etc.People respond to color in various ways Each color would most likely evoke different feelings in the onlooker.

Ever wonder the origins of how red and green became the colors of Christmas?

Read about it from Here

MERRY CHRISTMAS

These Christmas Jello are made with these moulds which are available online from Browncookie.com and the recipe is HERE

Step-By-Step Easy Christmas Fruitcake

2010-12-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

IF a picture is worth a thousand words, then i would like to share my pictures on HOW To bake this Easy Christmas Cake and also this song which is titled "IF" by David Gates 1971.

The Step-By-Step Pictures are HERE

Easy Christmas Fruitcake

2010-12-16T15:54:00.000-07:00

The weather has turned colder and looking west, i can see that snow dusts the tops of the mountains, reminding me to start baking, so go and get out the fruitcake recipe.

Recipe for Easy Christmas Fruitcake is HERE

Red Velvet Cupcakes

2010-12-14T20:51:00.000-07:00

Red Velvet Cupcakes, it is Santa's new favorite, so i better make some and make Santa happy so that he will bring me what i wished for. My grandson, Alexander has been asking me - what i want for Christmas and i told him that i have only 1 thing i wanted - I wanted him to be 'kwai-kwai' and he said that there is no 'kwai-kwai' at the store and went away grumbling about Popo being crazy.

The recipe is HERE

Chiffon Sweet Potato Tartlets

2010-12-10T13:23:00.000-07:00

What could be more enticing than a tart or a pie with smooth sweet potatoes filling. The color and texture is so appealing and so light, it is pure indulgence. Sweet potatoes/yams are in abundance this time of the year and to keep up with the Holiday Spirit, add Holiday Spices to the tarts/pies and kick up a notch.

The recipe is HERE

Super Soft Pau

2010-12-06T11:41:00.000-07:00

When my friend. Lena wanted to make pau, i suggested that she try out this Tien Tsin Pau recipe. She liked the pau skin alot and has been suggesting to friends to try it.

The recipe is HERE