How to Make Rose Steamed Buns - Valentine’s Day Recipe Idea

Valentine’s day is less than a week away.  Do you and your loved one celebrate?  My Hubby and I usually prefer staying in and celebrate with the kiddos together with a special dinner.  After all, we didn’t want to head out and dine with the crowds when EVERYONE is out!  hm….is that a sign of getting old?  Perhaps, we are just not romantic in nature, a.k.a. typical parenthood! 



Although we’re staying in on V-day, I still like to prepare something special for my family!  My Kiddos are my little Valentines, too!  This year, I’m making these Rose Shaped Steamed Buns as a special treat.  You’ll find 2 different flavors in my video tutorial.  They are Purple Yam Buns and Rose Flavor Buns, all made with natural ingredients and natural coloring.



In the Purple Yam Bins, I added purple yam powder for the pretty purple color and a hint of purple yam flavor.  It’s slightly sweet and comparable to sweet potato.  For the Rose Buns, I added a little bit of rose extract in the dough.  Just make sure you use a small amount as the rose extract could be quite strong.  If you cannot find rose extract, you can substitute with rose water.  However, the later one is much weaker in aroma and you might need to use more to achieve the same flavor.  I’ll list the ingredients at the end of this post for your reference.



The only thing I was a little bit disappointed was that the pretty pink color in the rose buns turned a little bit orangey after steaming.  You can chose to use store-bought natural food coloring for this recipe is you prefer a more vivid color.  But honestly, I’m sure anyone would be super happy to get these rose buns for Valentine’s Day, despite pink or orange theme!   Wish you all in advance a warm and sweet Valentine’s Day with your loved ones!





Tools and Ingredients Used:
Rose Extract (Click here for more information)
All Natural Food Coloring (Click here for more information)
Grapeseed Oil (Click here for more information)
Bamboo Steamers (Click here for more information)
Active Dry Yeast (Click here for more information)
Purple Yam Powder (Click here for more information)
Matcha Powder (Click here for more information)
Dough/Bench Scraper (Click here for more information)
Rolling Pin (Click here for more information)
Rolling Mat (Click here for more information)
Strainer/Sieve Set (Click here for more information)
Bamboo Spatula Set (Click here for more information)
Measuring Cups Set (Click here for more information)




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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)

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Pink Grapefruit Frosé 玫瑰香檳柚子冰冰

How’s your summer so far?  Are you enjoying the summer heat or are you hating it?  For my family, we’ve been visiting the pool, water park, and going to cool places (a.k.a. air-conditioned places) to stay cool.  Please share with me your favorites things to do to stay cool if you have any suggestion!



However, I still turn on my oven from time to time to bake this once or twice a week.  That’s a necessity!  But other than that, I’m trying to keep the house cool and make as many No-Bake treats as possible.  This Pink Grapefruit Frosé 玫瑰香檳柚子冰冰 is one of my favorite summer treat!  It’s super easy to put together and very refreshing.  You might wonder what is a Frosé?  Well, it’s pretty much Frozen Rosé!  Yes, a word that I just made up!?  But hey, this frozen treat is so good that I think Frosé should be included in the dictionary!



This slightly sweet and tangy frozen treat will cool you off instantly!  The pink grapefruit juice is super fresh and it compliments the floral Rosé Champagne perfectly.  You can even substitute the Rosé Champagne with sparking white grape juice (skip the simple syrup because the grape juice is sweet enough) to make a kids’ friendly version.  But for the grown up, this is a perfect treat after any summer meal!



If you’re hosting summer parties, this will be the perfect dessert to make because you can, and should, make it ahead of time; leaving you more time to plan for the rest of your menu.  You can even explore and try other citrus juice with this dessert.  But I personally love the flavor and color of the pink grapefruit, so pretty and elegant! 



I hope you enjoy today’s recipe and video tutorial.  Remember, Eat, Drink, and Be Happy!  If you haven’t done so, please subscribe to my YouTube channel here.  This way, you won’t miss out on any video and you’ll be the first to know when I have a new tutorial published. I share a new video tutorial/recipe every week.




Ingredients and Tools Used:
9x13 Glass Baking Dish with Lid (Click here for more information)
Fleur de Sel (Click here for more information)
Microplane Zester (Click here for more information)
Heat Proof Measuring Cups (Click here for more information)
OXO Measuring Cups Set (Click here for more information)
Small Stemmed Wine Glasses (5 oz) (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 Unicorn Poop Rainbow Sour Lemon Meringue Cookies 檸檬彩虹蛋白曲奇:

Are you ready for another magical and whimsical recipe?  A recipe that involves a mysterious, fascinating, and imaginary create!  Yes, I'm talking about the Unicorn! After all, everything associated with the Unicorn has been so gorgeous and adorable, even with its byproduct such as... its poop!?



Sorry, I just couldn’t help it!  I had so much fun making these Sour Lemon Meringue Cookies with my Little Girl.  We were laughing, joking, and goofing around in the kitchen as we bake and enjoy each other's company…and these cookies, of course!



If you haven’t watched my video tutorial yet, you’ve got to check it out.  I guaranteed that you won’t be disappointed! I’ll show you step by step procedures on how to create the perfect rainbow swirls that shaped these cookies.  They are actually easier than you think.  Plus, you’ll get my tips and secret on how to make the perfect meringue cookies!        



These rainbow colored Sour Lemon Meringue Cookies are made from all natural food coloring deprived from fruit and vegetables (I’ll link my food coloring tutorials below this post).  If you don’t have the time to make your own coloring, I’ve found out that my local health-food store/supermarket do carry some all natural coloring options.  I’ll list the product links below this post so that you can check them out as well. 



If you’ve baked meringue cookies before, you know that they don’t like moisture!  So, we bake them at low temperature for a long time.  Plus, we need to be careful on the flavoring option as well.  Since I made these in lemon flavor, I use lemon zest to give these cookies the refreshing lemony aroma.  But for the tartness, I used citrus acid (which is really sour and in powder form) instead of fresh lemon juice.  That way, I won’t be adding too much moisture into the batter. 



These cookies are so light, crispy, and packed with lemony aroma.  The sweetness and tartness is perfectly balanced!  Give them a try and you’ll fall in love with them.




I hope you enjoyed today’s post and recipe!  Remember, Eat, Drink, and Be Happy!  Stay tuned for more fun recipe next week!




Ingredients and Tools Used:
All Natural Food Coloring (Click here for more information)
Wilton 1 A Round piping tip (Click here for more information)
Citrus Acid (Click here for more information)
Edible Gold Leaves (Click here for more information)
Disposable Piping Bag (Click here for more information)
Silver Dragees (Click here for more information)
Freeze Dried Strawberry (Click here for more information)
Stand Mixer (Click here for more information)
Cooling Racks (Click here for more information)
Corn Starch (粟粉) (Click here for more information)
Edible Gold Stars (Click here for more information)
Baking Sheets (Click here for more information)
Silpat (Click here for more information)

How to Make All Natural Blue Food Coloring Tutorial:
https://goo.gl/8nT8Sm

How to Make All Natural Red Food Coloring Tutorial:
https://goo.gl/zTcc2h

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.

Glam Up Your Weekend Brunch - How to Make Fancy Soft Boiled Eggs with Toast Soldiers

My family loves weekend brunches.  It’s an occasion that we cherish and enjoy a lot!  I mean, who wouldn’t love to take the time to relax, eat, drink, talk, and laugh, right? It’s the best time to recharge and unwind. 




If you enjoy weekend brunches like we do, you’ve got to give this Soft Boiled Egg with Toast Soldiers a try!  It’s a “glam up” version of your daily soft boiled eggs.  It is seasoned with truffle salt, topped off with caviar, and garnished with fresh chives for the finishing touch.   



Check out my videos tutorial above because I’ll show you tips and tools on how to give this soft boiled egg shell a nice clean cut!   It looks and tastes fancy, but definitely easier to prepare than it’s look.   




If you follow my recipe, you’ll get perfectly cooked soft boiled eggs every single time with the egg whites cooked and the yolks still running.  It’s the perfect consistency for some dunking actions with the buttery toast soldiers!  



It’s fancy enough to serve at gatherings, but easy enough as everyday food as well!  I hope you’ll give it a try and let me know what you think.  Remember, Eat, Drink, and Be Happy!  I’ll see you all next week!





Tools and Ingredients Used:

Egg Cracker/Topper (Click here for more information)
Egg Cup and Spoon Set (Click here for more information)
Mini Pearl Spoons for Caviar (Click here for more information)
Caviar (Click here for more information)
Truffle Salt (Click here for more information)
Bread Knife (Click here for more information)
Copper Chef Non-Stick Pan (Click here for more information)
Kerrygold Salted Butter (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.

Unicorn Frappuccino – With All-Natural Coloring

Last week, Starbucks introduced a special drink that was only available for a limited time.  Yes, it was offer to the general public for less than a week only!   Many of my friends and family rushed to their nearest Starbucks locations and lined up for this specialty drink: The infamous Unicorn Frappuccino! Were you one of them who tried?



Unfortunately, the review and feedback of this drink was not as positive as the enthusiasm of the Starbucks fans!  It was quite a mixed review, I must say.  Some described it as a refreshing sour mango-flavored drink.  Some said it was a waste of money and tasted too artificial, etc.  I guess, the artificial came from the coloring of the drink?



Hence today, I’m sharing my sort of copycat version of the Starbucks’ Unicorn Frappuccino with you!  Why “sort of”? Because my version would probably taste nothing closed to the original version of this drink.  But the look and color is definitely a replica!  Only, I’m using all-natural coloring in my recipe!



Yes, all natural color in my recipe, including this gorgeous hue of blue!  If you haven’t watch my video tutorial above, what are you still waiting for?  You’ll discover the secret ingredient that I used to create this gorgeous blue color!  It was truly magical to see the transformation of the color! 



My homemade version of the Unicorn Frappuccino is a Blue Vanilla Frappuccino, layered with Purple Blackberry Frappuccino, topped with cotton candy and edible gold stars!  It’s whimsical, magical, refreshing and oh so delicious!  The sweetness from the Vanilla Frappuccino balanced really well with the tangy Blackberry Frappuccino layer!  Of course, you can top these with whipped cream instead of cotton candy.  But I think the cotton candy adds a layer of dreaminess to this special drink!  If you’re hosting a Unicorn themed party, this drink will definitely be the star of the show! 



Thank you so much for stopping by!  Leave me a comment below and tell me if you’ve tried the Starbucks’ Unicorn Frappuccino and what did you think about it?  If you tried my homemade version, be sure to let me know as well!  I would love to hear from you!  Stay tuned for more fun and magical recipe next week!


Tools and Ingredients used:
Star-shaped jars (Click here for more information)
Rainbow Cotton Candy (Click here for more information)
Edible Gold Stars (Click here for more information)
Blue Paper Straws (Click here for more information)
Gold Stirring Spoon (Click here for more information)
Baking Soda (Click here for more information)
Ninja Blender (Click here for more information)
Agave (Click here for more information)
Ice Cream Scoop (Click here for more information)
Organic Vanilla Extract (Click here for more information)
Measuring Spoons Set (Click here for more information)
Strainer Set (Click here for more information)

Unicorn Rainbow Mille Crêpe Cake 獨角馬彩虹法式薄餅千層蛋糕

If you want to see something magical, such as an unicorn flying over the rainbow, you’ve come to the right place!  Check out my video tutorial above and you’ll see that magic!  Okay, maybe I’m not really a magician, but I can certainly make a magical cake!



Have you been seeing everything Unicorn lately?  I sure have and there’s one particular “Unicorn Treat” that I saw on Pinterest that I couldn’t forget!  Yes, the Unicorn Rainbow Mille Crêpe Cake! 



According to the posts that I saw on the internet, there’s an unicorn themed café in Thailand that serves this unicorn cake.  It’s dreamy, whimsical, and definitely stole my heart!  Since I won’t be travelling to Thailand any time soon, my only solution to ease the craving is to recreate this stunning cake, based on the pictures I’ve seen on different social media websites.



Let me reassure you, this cake tastes amazing and just as magical as it’s look.  I don’t know how the cake in the Thailand café tastes like, but I sure know mine tasted wonderful and all these layers are made with natural ingredients! 



I’m not great in cake decorating, so I tried to keep the design of this cake rather simple, just like the one I saw on the internet.  But with the interior of this cake being so stunning, it’s better to keep the outside of this cake simple.



It’s so exciting to cut into this cake to reveal all these different colors and layers!



There are 4 different flavors in these layers of crêpes.  The pink ones on top are strawberries, follow by lemon, then matcha green tea, and last but not least, blueberries on the bottom.  If you eat the crêpe layers separately, you can definitely taste each of the different flavors.  If you taste all these layers in one bite, you’ll get the hints of berries, along with the earthiness of the matcha, and a very refreshing citrus flavor from the lemon.  



If you have a spring party, celebration, or know someone who is crazy about rainbow or unicorn, you’ve got to make this cake!  It is somewhat time consuming to cook all these crêpe layers, but nothing too difficult at all.  If you follow my tips on the video tutorial and use the right tools, your crêpes and cake will turn out just as beautiful!

I hope you enjoy today’s post and tutorial.  If you haven’t done so, please subscribe to my Youtube channel here.  That way, you won’t miss out on any future videos and you’ll be the first to know when I have a new tutorial published.  Stay tuned for more fun and delicious recipes!

Link to All Natural Red Food Coloring Video:

https://goo.gl/qs4phF

Ingredients and Tools Used:

Crepe pan  (Click here for more information)

Crepe Spreader (Click here for more information)

Crepe Maker (Click here for more information)

OXO Egg Turner (Click here for more information)

Lazy Susan (Click here for more information)

10-inch Ribbon Cake Stand (Click here for more information)

Marshmallow Twists (Click here for more information)

Silver Dragees (Click here for more information)

Pastel Color Butterflies Sprinkles (Click here for more information)

Ninja Blender (Click here for more information)

Mascarpone Cheese (Click here for more information)

Kerrygold Butter (Click here for more information)

Stand Mixer (Click here for more information)

Microplane for lemon zest (Click here for more information)

Organic Vanilla Extract (Click here for more information)

Matcha Powder (Click here for more information)

Matcha Whisk (Click here for more information)

Horizon Organic Heavy Whipping Cream (Click here for more information)

Measuring Spoons Set (Click here for more information)

Powdered Sugar (Click here for more information)

Coffee Jelly 咖啡啫喱

Have you ever tried Coffee (flavored) Jelly?  It’s a popular treat in Asia Countries, especially during the warmer seasons of Spring and Summer.  The very first time I had it was years ago when I traveled to Japan.  By following my video tutorial and recipe, you can easily make it at home now!  Much easier than flaying across the globe, isn’t it?  Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy travelling!



This Coffee Jelly is a light and refreshing treat to prepare for parties and/or everyday enjoyment.  I like my homemade version because I can control the sweetness in my dessert and use the coffee beans that I love.  I usually like my coffee dark, strong, and with low acidity level.  After all these years of drinking coffee in the morning (probably the only way to really wake my mind up), I realized grinding the coffee beans right before brewing yields the best earthy and rich aroma from the beans.  If you’re not doing that yet, I really encourage you to invest in a coffee grinder and grind up the beans right before brewing!  It’s totally worth the time and efforts!



 As always, I don’t like my dessert overly sweet.  Therefore, the sweetness in this Coffee Jelly recipe is only minimal.  If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can add a little bit more sugar to adjust it to your own preference.  Or even add a splash of agave before serving. 



In today’s video tutorial (see the link above), I demonstrated 2 ways of serving this Coffee Jelly treat.  One is in the small individual serving glass, topped with freshly whipped cream, a coffee bean, and a spring of mint for garnish.  It’s gorgeous enough to serve for parties and gatherings, but extremely easy to prepare.  It’s such a delightful dessert that serves the duty of both after meal coffee and dessert at the same time!



The second way to serve this Coffee Jelly is to chill the mixture in a container, cut it up into small cubes, and add a splash of evaporated milk to serve.  I personally prefer the later version because I always love a little creaminess in my coffee.  Notice the pinch of salt that I added in this recipe?  This will help balance the flavor and to offset the acidity in your coffee.  I hope you enjoy today’s recipe and tutorial.  Stay tuned for more fun a delicious recipe next week!





Tools and Ingredients Used:
Horizon Organic Heavy Whipping Cream (Click here for more information)
Organic Vanilla Extract (Click here for more information)
Unflavored Gelatin (Click here for more information)
Pastry Decorating Tip Set (Click here for more information)
Pyrex 2 Quart Measuring Cup (Click here for more information)
Vanilla Bean Paste (Click here for more information)
Powdered Sugar (Click here for more information)
Glass Dish Set with Lids (Click here for more information)
Libbey Mini Glare Glass Set (Click here for more information)

Strawberry Cupcakes–From Scratch 草莓杯子蛋糕

What is your favorite ingredient to enjoy in Spring?  Is it corn, asparagus, peas, mangoes, berries, or all of the above?   I think my family’s favorite has to be strawberries!  During spring break, I took the kids to a nearby farm to pick their own strawberries.  It was a fun and yummy afternoon!





We’ve picked 4 big baskets full of strawberries and really enjoyed them.  Besides eating them as is, I also made these delicious strawberry cupcakes, from scratch!




I added fresh strawberries into the cake batter so that they are nice and moist.  Meanwhile, I mixed some fresh strawberry puree into the frosting so that they are slightly sweet and tart.  I also filled these cupcakes with some strawberry preserves in the center.  Be sure to check out the video tutorial on how to do that without any special equipment.  And of course, a slice of fresh strawberry on top as garnish to make it more festive.  These cupcakes are not too sweet but packed with wonderful strawberry flavors.  This frosting is probably one of the easiest one to prepare as well.




These cutie cupcakes were baked in these individual cupcake liners (see link below on where to purchase).  But you can use regular cupcake pan and liners as well.  I’m sure they'll turn out just as delicious!  These strawberry cupcakes will be perfect for your Spring tea party, or just any afternoon tea time since they are so easy to prepare!



What are your Spring favorite food or ingredients to enjoy?  Be sure to let me know in the comment below.  I can’t wait to hear from you!  Thank you for stopping by today.  Until next time, please take care.

Tools used:

Owl Pink Paper Baking Cups (Click here for more information)
Organic Vanilla Extract (Click here for more information)
Kerrygold Butter (Click here for more information)
Baking Sheets (Click here for more information)

Stand Mixer (Click here for more information)

Cooling Racks (Click here for more information)