How to Make Hawaiian Buns (Tang Zhong Method) 夏威夷麵包-湯種法

Do you love Hawaiian Buns?  My family is a big fan of these buns!  Today, I want to share this homemade copy cat recipe with you.  After several recipe testing, I have finally ended up with this amazing recipe that our family absolutely loved!  The verdict?  We all agreed that my homemade version is way better than the store bought ones!  After all, it’s quite difficult to beat freshly baked buns that are still warm right out of the oven.  This is especially true since these buns are made with all natural ingredients and packed with amazing sweet aromas!  When you bake these buns, your whole house would smell amazing, like a bakery.  As my Son puts it, these buns are simply irresistible! 



If you had been following my blog for a while, you probably know that I like making bread and buns with the Tang Zhong Method 湯種法.  This Hawaiian Bun recipe is no exception.  Tang Zhong Method is a bread making method that involved a partially cooked dough added into the main bread dough.  This method yields the most amazing soft and fluffy texture of breads and buns.  The most amazing part is that the softness will last for a few days (that is if you haven’t finished these buns by then!)  You can read more about the science behind the Tang Zhong Method by clicking here. 



For the unfinished portions, simply wrap them tightly in plastic wraps.  To reheat, simply unwrap the buns and heat them up for a few seconds in the microwave.  They will be warm and soft just like they are fresh out of the oven!  If you haven’t try the Tang Zhong method of making bread, I highly recommend that you give it a try.  Once you have done it, you would not go back!  
  


To give these Hawaiian Buns their tropical flavor, I used pineapple juice in the bread dough.  They are slightly sweet because of the brown sugar and vanilla extract.  There’s no egg in the bread dough, but I added some custard powder to give these buns a hint richness of egg aromas.  I used custard powder quite often in a few of my other recipes.  It’s a more common ingredient in Asia countries.  Unfortunately,I haven’t seen them in the local supermarkets in the States yet and I always have to order them online.  I’ll list the ingredients and tools used in this recipe below this post for your convenience.



Although these Hawaiian Buns are just perfect the way they are, they are even more irresistible if you put a little butter and let it melt in the middle!  Each bite is simply heavenly!  If you are a Hawaiian Buns lover, you’ve got to give this recipe a try and thank me later!  After trying this recipe, you’ll never go back to the packaged version!



Thank you so much for visiting, stay tuned for more fresh and delicious recipe next week!  Remember, Eat, Drink, and Be Happy!

Ingredients and Tools Used:
9X13 Rectangular Baking Pan (Click here for more information)
Infrared Thermometer (Click here for more information)
Wooden Spatula (Click here for more information)
Dole’s 100% Pineapple Juice (Click here for more information)
Active Dry Yeast (Click here for more information)
Custard Powder (Click here for more information)
Dry Milk Powder (Click here for more information)
Kerrygold Salted Butter (Click here for more information)
Measuring Spoons Set (Click here for more information)
Kitchen Scale (Click here for more information)
Dough/Bench Scraper (Click here for more information)
Silicone Pastry Brush (Click here for more information)
Brown Sugar (Click here for more information)
Stand Mixer (Click here for more information)
Cooling Racks (Click here for more information)
Rolling Mat (Click here for more information)
Rolling Pin (Click here for more information)
Organic Vanilla Extract (Click here for more information)
Heat Proof Measuring Cups (Click here for more information)

Disclosure: uTry.it is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

How to Make Piña Colada Poptails:

How was your summer holiday?  I hope you were able to get some time off from work and hang out with your family.  We surely had an amazing vacation this summer and I couldn’t wait to share more details with you. I would love to hear where you’ve been and what you’ve done this summer.  So feel free to leave me a comment below.  



What are the key ingredients of an ideal holiday for you?  To me, it’s not a holiday until you’re sipping a nice cocktail with a nice view in front of you!  Forget about all the stress and responsibilities for a while.  Well, even for a few days a year, it’s still nice.  Our bodies and minds definitely need a break and some rest to recharge, so that we can work harder and reach higher after the break.  Don’t you agree?

Although summer vacation might be over, we can still enjoy a little treat over the weekends to bring back those fond memories!  These Piña Colada Poptails definitely bring me back to the tropical paradise instantly!  While they taste just like the cocktail themselves, why not have some fresh fruits and vitamin C at the same time?



If you haven’t done so, check out my video tutorial above.  I’ll show you how to easily cut these pineapple spears to prepare these poptails.  By the way, Poptails = Popsicle + Cocktail.  I’m sure you don’t need any explanation here, but just in case. These Piña Colada Poptails are so refreshing and so much fun to eat.  They are perfect for parties and gatherings.  Or, whenever you need a 'healthier' cocktail. 



There is one thing that I forgot to mention in my video.  It has to do with the rum that you would used to soak the pineapple spears.  Please do not throw them away after soaking!  You can use them to make some nice cocktail later.  Maybe a Piña Colada?  Simply keep the rum in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.  I hope you enjoy today’s post and recipe!  And remember, Eat, Drink, and Be Happy!  Stay tuned for more fun and delicious recipe next week!




Tools and Ingredients Used:
Pitcher (Click here for more information)
Long Bamboo Skewers (Click here for more information)
Maraschino Cherries with Stems (Click here for more information)
Coconut Cream (Click here for more information)
Coconut Flakes (Click here for more information)
Silicone Pastry Brush (Click here for more information)


Disclosure: uTry.it is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

How to Make Mochi Ice Cream 雪糕糯米糍

Have you ever tried Mochi Ice Cream 雪糕 糯米糍 before?  These little gems are one of my childhood favorites.  They used to be occasional treats when I was young.  Besides it’s considered a little pricey for me when I was a kid, and that there weren’t that many places that sell them back in the good old days!  So, I cherished them whenever I get my hands on these delicious treats!  Fast forward to now, they are more widely available and not as expensive as in the past.



However, the good news is, I will show you how you can easily make them at home, with the help of my recipe and tutorial!  Best of all, you can create them using your favorite ice cream flavor!  That way, you can enjoy any flavor that your heart desired!  Mochi Ice Cream is a confection made from Japanese Mochi (pounded sticky rice dough) filled with a scoop of ice cream.  They might seems complicated to make, but actually quite simple.  Check out my video tutorial above for more tips and tricks.  There are quite a few steps and chilling time, but all quite straight forward to follow.



In the mochi dough, I used a mix of glutenous rice flour as well as regular rice flour.  The glutenous rice flour gives this treat the signature chewy texture while the regular rice flour yield the tender and soft texture for the mochi skin, even after freezing! Therefore, it's important to use both type of flours and not just one. With that said, you should always let your Ice Cream Mochi rest at the room temperature for a few minutes before serving.  That way, the mochi skin and the ice cream will have a chance to soften up before you bite into one.



In today’s Mochi Ice Cream, I filled them with an Easy Mango Ice Cream, which I will also show you how to make in my video, as well as Roasted Strawberry and Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream!  They are all homemade with natural and organic ingredients. Check out the recipe links at the end of the post if you're interested to make your own.  Otherwise, you can use any store bought ice cream as well.   



Aren't they gorgeous?  I love how beautiful and colorful they turned out.  They make me feel happy just by looking at them, not to mention, they are refreshing and delightful to enjoy in the hot summer days!  Hope you’re enjoying summer in full blast!  If your kiddos are already back to school, these would definitely be their favorite after school snacks!  Thank you so much for stopping by today.  Remember, Eat, Drink, and Be Happy!  Stay tuned for more fun and delicious recipe next week!




Ingredients and Tools Used:
Organic Vanilla Extract  (Click here for more information)
Glutinous Rice Flour (糯米粉) (Click here for more information)
Potato Starch (片粟粉) (Click here for more information)
Freezer Safe Container (Click here for more information)
Ninja Blender (Click here for more information)
Ice Cream Machine (Click here for more information)
Tovolo Ice Cream Tub (Click here for more information)
Mini Muffin Pan (Click here for more information)
Mini Cupcake Liners (Click here for more information)
Silpat (Click here for more information)
Rolling Pin (Click here for more information)
Round Cookie Cutter Set (Click here for more information)
Cookie Dough Scoop (Click here for more information)
Ice Cream Scoop (Click here for more information)
Regular Rice Flour (粘米粉) (Click here for more information)



Disclosure: uTry.it is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Sumikko Gurashi Sushi Rice Balls 角落公仔壽司飯糰

Have you seen these cutie critters before?  They are called Sumikko Gurashi!  Aren’t they super adorable?  Today, I’m sharing a recipe with you that’s inspired by these super adorable characters from Japan: Sumikko Gurashi Sushi Rice Balls 角落公仔壽司飯糰.  If you’ve checked out my video tutorial above, you’ll also see the tools and ingredients that I used to make them.



It all started not long ago with a super soft and squishy plush toys that I got for my daughter from a Japanese store.  Ever since that day, we all fell in love with these cute little creatures!

Image from the web

Image from the web

What does Sumikko Gurashi means?  “Sumikko” means corner, and “Gurashi” means life.  Together, they can be translated to 'living in a corner,' as that’s what these little critters like to do.



From time to time when I see cute little Sumikko Gurashi products, I couldn’t resist but to take them home with me! 

Picture from web

In today’s recipe, I’m making these sushi rice balls stuffed with a creamy and smoked salmon filling.  The rice itself is seasoned with different ingredients for their natural colors and flavors.

First off, we have Neko Cat.  The rice is seasoned with cod powder for the umami flavor and gorgeous pink color.  It compliment the salmon fillings really well.



Next is Polar Bear.  I leave the rice plain on this one for the white color.  Its ears are decorated with pink Soy Wrappers that are so much fun and easy to use!  It’s mouth and legs are stamped out cheddar cheese and it’s eyes and hands are stamped out seaweeds.



Up next is Penguin!  The green color is from matcha green tea powder.  You can also substitute with spinach puree or other dark green vegetable puree if you have those on hand.  But the earthy green tea flavor truly balanced well with the smoky salmon inside these rice balls.



Last but not least, Tonkatsu!  Remember I shared my homemade Tonkatsu recipe with you not long ago?  It’s Japanese style pork cutlets!  See the resemblance?   For this one, I seasoned the rice with a little bit of light soy sauce for flavor and color.  They all turned out super yummy!

Image from web

How well did I I in in shaping and decorating these characters against the picture sample above?  Not bad, isn’t it?  I can’t wait to make “tail of fried shrimp”, “tapioca”, and “sparrow” next time!  They are all super duper cute!



I hope you enjoyed today’s video and recipe as much as we do.  My daughter and I had a fun time creating them together!  Thank you so much for reading and stay tuned for more fun and kawaii recipe next week!  Remember, Eat, Drink, and Be Happy! 




Products, ingredients, and tools used in this post:
Sumikko Gurashi Cat Plush Toy (Click here for more information)Sumikko Gurashi Rice Ball Mold  (Click here for more information)
Soy Wrappers  (Click here for more information)Matcha Green Tea Powder (Click here for more information)
Sumikko Gurashi Chopsticks (Click here for more information)
Sumikko Gurashi Cup (Click here for more information)
Roasted Seaweed (Click here for more information)
Honey Smoked Salmon (Click here for more information)
Organic Soy Sauce (Click here for more information)
Japanese Sushi Rice (Click here for more information)
Japanese Mayo (Click here for more information)
Food Decorating Tongs/Tweezers (Click here for more information)



Disclosure: uTry.it is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.