How to Make Strawberry Pudding with Bunny Dango 士多啤梨布甸 + 兔兔糰子

March 2nd marks the Spring Lantern Festival (元宵節) for 2018.  Lantern Festival is a Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the Luna Calendar. It’s the Chinese equivalent of Valentine's Day and often celebrate with games of riddles and sweet dumplings, Tang Tuan 湯丸.  Sweet Dumplings symbolized unity of the family.  That’s the reason why it’s often serve in Chinese Festivals, such as this New Year’s Eve, and Mid-Autumn festival.




However, for this year, instead of the regular Tang Yuen, I will be making these Strawberry Pudding with Bunny Dango 士多啤梨布甸 + 兔兔糰子 for a change.  Not only that these are perfect for the Lantern Festival, they are also wonderful treats for Easter!  So these Bunnies serve double duties this year! 



Recently, I felt in love with Dango!  They are the Japanese version of the Chinese sweet dumplings (湯丸).  They are often unsweetened and serve with a sweet syrup on top.  Since I’m not going to add any syrup on these bunnies, I added a small amount of powdered sugar in the dango dough for a hint of sweetness.  Also, I added a secret ingredient in these dangos to keep them moist and fluffy.  Check out my video tutorial on YouTube to find out what it is.  You’ll be surprise how easy it is to make this treat as well.  I love dango because they are easier to make (no fillings) when compared to Tang Yuan, but the texture and flavor are very similar! 



This strawberry budding is slightly sweet and tangy because I used fresh strawberries for the base.  It’s packed with refreshing flavor and the texture is silky smooth!  It pairs really well with the cute bunny dango on top.  If you try out the recipe, be sure to leave a comment below to let me know how it turned out.  Thank you so much for stopping by today and I wish you all a wonderful Chinese Lantern Festival!






Tools and Ingredients Used:

Edible Color Markers (Clickhere for more information)
Unflavored Gelatin Powder (Clickhere for more information)
Large Measuring Cup (Click here for more information)
Skimmer Strainer (Clickhere for more information)
Glutenous Rice Flour (Click here for more information)
Measuring Cups Set (Clickhere for more information) 
Organic Vanilla Extract (Clickhere for more information)
6 ounces Ramekins (Clickhere for more information)
Ninja Blender (Clickhere for more information)
Sieve Set (Click here for more information)




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How to Make Salted Egg Yolk Lava Custard Mooncakes 流心奶黃月餅:

This year, October 4th marks the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival!  Are you ready to celebrate?  Traditionally, family and friends would gather and enjoy the evening together.  After dinner, it’s the time to head outside the back yard (or the roof of a high-rise building when we were living in Hong Kong) and enjoy desserts, fruit, hot tea, and some mooncakes together!  Of course, and we enjoy each other’s company as well.



I meant to share this post and recipe with you sooner.  But it took me quite a while to fine tune this recipe.   I just wanted to make sure that you’ll be successful in making these in your own kitchen as well.  This way, I do all the leg work in testing recipes so that you don’t have to.  Or, maybe secretly, I’m a perfectionist!



Did you know that some bakeries in Asia had long lines for this particular flavor of mooncake? They are called the infamous Salted Egg Yolk Lava Custard Mooncakes 流心奶黃月餅!  Quite often, customers went empty handed after the long wait because the mooncakes were all sold out by the time the customers got to the counter!  No need to get upset!  Be like me and make your own at home!  Not only there’s no line to wait, you know exactly what ingredients go into your mooncake.  This week’s motto:  Keep Calm, and Bake Your Own Mooncakes!



Oh, but you do have to wait a day after baking these mooncakes before you can enjoy them though.  As do all mooncakes recipes, you need to wait for a day for the mooncake skin to soften and to allow the flavors to get aquatint with each other.  It’s call “回油” in Chinese mooncake baking term.  Afterwards, the skin of the mooncakes will becomes soft, slightly darker in color, and more shiny.  It’s totally worth the wait as the fragrant will be more complex as well!



There are mainly 3 components to this moon cake, the outer layer is the mooncake skin, the second layer is the traditional custard filling, and finally the center, which is the star of this mooncake:  a salted egg yolk lava filling!  It’s so yummy when the lava filling is still warm and it oozes out as you bit into one.  Since you need to wait a day to enjoy them, you’ll need to slightly reheat your mooncake for 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave before serving if you want the floating lava!



This mooncake sounds decadent, but the salty egg yolk balanced well with the sweetness of the custard.  Therefore, this mooncake is not overly sweet, unlike most traditional mooncake fillings.  I hope you enjoy today’s recipe and tutorial!  Thank you so much for stopping by and stay tuned for some Halloween fun recipes in the next few weeks!





Ingredients and Tools Used:
Mooncake Mold (Click here for more information)Mini Silicone Sphere Mold (Click here for more information)
Custard Powder (Click here for more information)
Dry Milk Powder (Click here for more information)
Kitchen Scale (Click here for more information)
Strainers Set (Click here for more information)
Organic Coconut Milk (Click here for more information)
Large Measuring Cup (Click here for more information)
Measuring Spoons Set (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.

Strawberry Matcha Daifuku Mochi 草莓抹茶大福

This Sunday is Mother’s Day!  How do you celebrate?  I know I’ll be spending time with my family, and I'll likely make some homemade cake and treats as well!  And if you haven’t figured out what to make yet, maybe try this Strawberry Matcha Daifuku Mochi 草莓抹茶大福 recipe!  After all, we are in the strawberry season right now.



Daifuku Mochi or Daifuku, is a Japanese confection (Wagashi 和菓子) consists of a small round mochi (glutinous rice cake) stuffed with sweet filling.  The sweetened red bean paste made from azuki beans is usually a common filling to use.  I’ve shared a homemade recipe of the red bean paste in the past and I’ll list it at the end of the post .  Otherwise, it’s widely available in most Asian supermarkets.   Since it’s the peak season for strawberries now, I can’t help but to incorporate the sweet and juicy strawberries as part of my Daifuku fillings.



In my version of Daifuku, I covered the refreshing strawberry with a layer of sweetened white bean paste, which has a milder flavor compared to the red bean paste.  It’s all encased in a thin layer of earthy match mochi skin for a contrast of colors and flavors.



As you might have noticed, I also topped the Daifuku with edible gold star sprinkles for a whimsical touch.  I’ll link the ingredients used at the end of the post for your reference.  Are these Strawberry Matcha Daifuku gorgeous?  They tasted just as delicious as they look!  I hope you enjoyed today’s blog post and recipe.  I want to wish you a wonderful celebration this weekend and Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there!



 

Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs 親子烟熏三文魚復活蛋 - For Easter

Are you enjoying your Spring Break so far?  For those of you who haven’t gotten any time off (just yet), hang in there!  My kids have been waiting for the longest time to get some days off from school as well.  If you’re having gatherings and looking for Easter Sunday Brunch ideas, you’re in luck today.  Check out these Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs 親子烟熏三文魚復活蛋!  Aren’t they gorgeous?  Let me tell you, they taste just as fantastic as they look, too! 



If you have had your fair share of deviled eggs in the past, you’ve got to try out this recipe for a change.  The wild smoked salmon in this recipe truly bring this classic party appetizer to a whole new level!  The smokiness and gourmet flavor of smoked salmon is amazing.  The mild onion aroma from the chives and the lemony dill are just perfect companies to the salmons. 



Of course, I didn’t just stop there either!  These decadent Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs are topped with salmon eggs (roes) for the finishing touch!  As much as I love sushi and sashimi, I’m not a big fan for salmon eggs in the past!  That was true until after I had my very first bite of this gorgeous treat!  The salmon eggs add a little pop and saltiness to these creamy and silky deviled eggs.   The flavors and aromas are well balanced in this little jewel-like appetizer! 



If you haven’t watch the video tutorial for this recipe, you’ve got to click on the link above and check it out.  I spelled out the little tips and secrets on how to make the perfect hard-boil eggs, which is the basic/foundation to make deviled eggs; as well as piping tips and fun facts!  So, be sure to subscribe and watch the tutorial!  I hope you enjoy today’s recipe and video.  Stay tuned for more fun and easy recipes next week!  





Tools and Ingredients Used: 

Pastry Bags  (Click here for more information)
Large Open Star Piping Tip (Click here for more information)
Deviled Egg Platter (Click here for more information)
Ceramic Egg Tray  (Click here for more information)
Japanese Mayo  (Click here for more information)

Individual Skillet Brownies with Vanilla Ice Cream – Valentine’s Day Dessert Recipe Idea

Valentine’s Day is only a few days away!  If you’re still searching for a dessert recipe for to celebrate this special day, you’ve come to the right place!  This quick and easy Individual Skillet Brownies with Vanilla Ice Cream recipe is all you ever needed!  It’s so decadent yet so easy to prepare that I make them all year round for my family! 



Have you ever came across the situation of everyone in your family fighting over the crispy edges of your fresh baked brownies?  I am just as guilty in leaving the soft center of the brownie all lonely!  Well, with this Individual Skillet Brownies recipe, your family will finally get to enjoy dessert in harmony, once again!



This individual cast iron skillet will produce the kind of crispy brownie edge that everyone loves!  The ratio of crispy edges to soft and tender center is just right.  Best of all, it’s a perfect size to share with your sweetheart, but I’m not going to judge if you decided to enjoy it all by yourself!  My kids can easily finish one whole skillet all on their own!  Trust me, when dessert this delicious, you might not want to share either!  I got these individual cast iron skillets online, and I’ve also seen them in specialty baking stores as well.  But they’re actually cheaper online.  I’ll share the link at the end of this post for your convenience.  



Imagine this, crispy and slight warm chocolate brownie topped with a scoop of cold and silky vanilla bean ice cream….each bite is heavenly!  It’s a delicious contrast of textures and temperatures!  It’s a feast for the eyes, as well as your palates!  I prepared this homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream the day before, but you can also use store bought premium quality vanilla bean ice cream as well.  I'll post the link to my vanilla ice cream video tutorial below, just in case you feel like making a batch from scratch!  



Thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoy today’s tutorial and recipe.  I hope you’ll head to the kitchen soon to bake up a batch of brownie for your family and loved ones!  Wish you and yours a Happy Valentine’s Day!  Stay sweet!




Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Tutorial:
https://goo.gl/vnViTc

Ingredients and Tools Used:
 
3.5-inch Lodge Cast Iron Skillet (Click here for more information)
Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate Chips (Click here for more information)
Trader Joe’s Colombian Instant Coffee (Click here for more information)
Cooling Racks (Click here for more information)
Baking Sheets (Click here for more information)
Organic Vanilla Extract (Click here for more information)
Kitchen Whisk Set (Click here for more information)
Mixing Bowl Set (Click here for more information)
Measuring Cup Set (Click here for more information)
OXO 4-Piece Mini Measuring Beaker Set (Click here for more information)
OXO Measuring Spoons Set (Click here for more information)
Silicone Spatula for Folding Ingredients (Click here for more information)
Horizon Organic Heavy Whipping Cream (Click here for more information)
Pastry Decorating Tip Set (Click here for more information)

“Surprise Inside” Chocolate Bundt Cake With Strawberry Glaze - Valentine’s Day Dessert

Do you like surprises?  I think it’s a lot of fun and quite exciting to get a pleasant surprise from family and loved ones.  This Valentine’s Day, why not give your significant other a sweet surprise?  Let me present to you this gorgeous and delicious “Surprise Inside” Chocolate Bundt Cake With Strawberry Glaze! 



I’m not sure why, but chocolate and strawberries always make me think of Valentine’s Day!  In my humble opinion, I think they compliment each other really well.  To me, they are both romantic and sexy ingredients!  So, why not combine the two together for Valentine’s Day desserts, right? 



Check out my video tutorial above and I’ll walk you through step-by-step on how to make this amazing cake.  First, I started working on the “surprise” part of the cake, which consists of 2 sheets of strawberry cakes.  I added my homemade beet root natural food coloring to (try to) turn the cake pink.  However, the pink hue slightly faded after the first round of baking.  And the coloring mysteriously disappeared completely after the 2nd round of baking inside the bundt cake!  Oh well!  So, you might want to add more coloring than I did.  I’ll post the details and suggestions in the recipe below for your reference.



Even though the heart shaped cake inside didn’t stay pink as I intended it to be, it’s still a gorgeous and stunning cake to serve and enjoy.  And it’s really a surprise when you slice into the cake to reveal the heart shape inside!  Just keep in mind that when you add the heart shaped cake into the bundt pan, make sure to put it up-side down as it’ll be the right direction after you flip the bundt cake over.    



This chocolate bundt cake is rich in chocolate flavor and really moist!  I’m using my favorite Valrhona cocoa powder in the cake batter.  I’ve tried so many different brands of cocoa powder in the past, but seriously, Valrhona is the best!  In case if you’re wondering, no, this is NOT a sponsored post.  I just love this product and wanted to share with you.  So you don’t have to waste your hard-earned money on ingredients that don’t work as great!  I’ll list the ingredients below this post for your convenience.  The fresh strawberry glaze on top of this cake is really refreshing and delightful.  As I said, chocolate and strawberry really compliment each other well.



I hope you’ll try out this recipe and make this “Surprise Inside” Chocolate Bundt Cake for your loved ones this Valentine’s Day!  Stay tuned for more fun and yummy recipe!  Have a wonderful weekend ahead!


Ingredients and Tools used:
10-Inch Ribbon Cake Stand (Click her for more information)
Nordic Ware Bundt Pan (Click here for more information)
10X15 Baking pan (Click here for more information)
Organic Heavy Cream (Click here for more information)
KitchenAid Stand Mixer (Click here for more information)
Heart Shape Cookie Cutter (Click here for more information)
Cake/Pie Server (Click here for more information)
Small Forks for Dessert (See similar product here)
Valrhona Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (Click here for more information)
Freeze Dried Strawberries (Click here for more information)
Cream of Tartar (Click here for more information)
Cake Flour (Click here for more information)
Organic Vanilla Extract (Click here for more information)
Kerrygold Butter (Click here for more information)
Cooling Rack (Click here for more information)
Silicone Spatula for Folding Ingredients (Click here for more information)

Classic Tiramisù – For Valentine’s Day

Have you check out my last blog post and video on how to make the parchment pastry bag and white chocolate decorations?  If not, click here to check it out!  I’m very excited to share today’s recipe with you.  It’s one of our family’s all time favorite dessert: Classic Tiramisù!



Tiramisù is an Italian (no-bake and layered) dessert usually made with ladyfingers, espresso, rum, egg yolks, mascarpone cheese, and cocoa powder, etc.  Check out my video tutorial and you’ll see how easy it is to prepare.  If you have concern consuming raw egg yolks, you may use pasteurized egg yolks instead.  You can find them in most major supermarkets in the States.  This Tiramisù is packed with wonderful espresso and chocolate flavors, along with a hint of rum.  We love this dessert because it’s not too sweet and has the right balance of flavors. 



Tiramisù means “pick me up” in Italian.  Why?  Because it’s texture is tender, soft, and fluffy.  The mascarpone cream in between the layers is silky smooth and melts in your mouth.  To ensure your cake will have the right texture, you need to start with the right ladyfingers.  Make sure to use the crispy one from Italy and not the soft, cake-y one from the U.S.! 



Also, be sure to check out my video tutorial on the “dipping time”.  Last but not least, after assembling the cake, let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours before serving!  I usually leave it in the fridge overnight.  That way, the ladyfingers will have enough time to soften and soak in all the flavors from the other ingredients.  Trust me, your patient will be rewarded! 



I’ll list all the ingredients and tools used below for your convenience!  I hope you’ll try out this recipe and share with your loved ones.  Stay tuned for more fun and sweet recipes.  Stay sweet!




Tools and Ingredients Used:

Ladyfingers (Click here for more information)
Valrhona Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (Click here for more information)
Mascarpone Cheese (Click here for more information)
Heavy Cream (Click here for more information)
9 x 13-inch Glass Baking Dish with Lid (Click here for more information)
Stand Mixer (Click here for more information)
Stainless Steel Spatula for Serving (Click here for more information)
Silicone Spatula for Folding Ingredients (Click here for more information)
Mixing Bowl Set (Click here for more information)
Small Sift for Dusting (Click here for more information)
 

Firecracker Shrimps 黃金炸蝦卷 – For Chinese New Year 賀年食品

Chinese New Year is just around the corner.  This year, it falls on January 28th.  Check out my previous blog posts for other Chinese New Year dishes and treats that I shared.  Or, click here to for more popular Chinese New Year recipes that I compiled last year.



Today, I wanted to share with you these delicious Firecracker Shrimps 黃金炸蝦卷!  You can serve them as an appetizer or as an entrée.  These Firecracker Shrimps are fried to golden brown perfection.  They are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.  The marinade for these shrimps adds so much wonderful flavors to these little golden gems.



I served them with a sweet chili sauce, but you can dip them in whatever sauce that you like.  A Chili Mayo, Roasted Garlic Mayo, or even homemade ketchup would be nice too. 



These Firecracker Shrimps are perfect for the Chinese New Year.  During the Chinese New Year, we like to serve dishes that represent good health, good fortune, or other well wishes.  As for this particular dish, it represents happiness for the family and wealth.  The pronunciation of shrimp in Chinese sounds similar to laughter (ha).  So, the more you eat, the happier you’ll get!  Also, the shape and the golden color of these Firecracker Shrimps resemble the golden nuggets that ancient Chinese used.  Now, you know why you should make this dish for Chinese New Year!  



I hope you enjoy today’s recipe and tutorial.  Please stay tuned for more fun and delicious recipe next week! 預祝大家金銀滿屋, 日日笑哈哈!



 
 
Ingredients and Tools Used:
Egg Roll Wrapper (Click here for more information)
Microplane (Click here for more information)
Sambal Oelek Chili Paste (Click here for more information)
Light Soy Sauce (Click here for more information)
Sweet Chili Sauce (Click here for more information)
Rice Vinegar (Click here for more information)
Corn Starch (Click here for more information)
Sesame Oil (Click here for more information)
Asian Spider Strainer (Click here for more information)
 

Matcha Cookies with Cranberries and White Chocolate - for Chinese New Year

Happy New Year!  Did you go somewhere fun to count down to the new year?  As usual, we stayed home for the count down and had a wonderful feast along with some bubbly to ring in the new year!  While the vacation and days off might be over for some people, the celebration is still going on in my house.



This year, January 28th marks the first day of the Chinese New Year!  In Asia, Chinese New Year is the biggest celebration of the year, comparable to Christmas and Thanksgiving in the U.S.  It’s a 15 days long celebration!  Schools, most shops, and businesses are closed during the Chinese New Year so that everyone can spend time with the family to celebrate. 



Although we don’t get any days off for Chinese New Year in the States, I try my best to pass down the traditions and culture to my Kids, mostly through story telling, and more often, through food.  There are many traditional food and special dishes that we prepare mainly for the Chinese New Year.  But some are so good that I pretty much make them all year round, such as these Matcha (Japanese Green Tea) Cookies with Cranberries and White Chocolate.



These cookies are quite simple to prepare.  They are the “slice and bake” type of cookie which you can (and should) prepare the dough ahead of time.  When it comes time to bake, you simply slice the cookie dough into disks and bake them off.  If you haven’t done so, watch my video above to check out my secret/tip on how to keep the cookie dough nice and round instead of having a “flat bottom” while it’s chilling in the fridge.  And you’re very welcomed!  Consider this tip as my Chinese New Year gift to you!  



If you like Matcha, you’re going to love these cookies.  They are packed with the matcha flavor and go nicely with a cup of hot tea.  However, Matcha could be an acquire taste for some people though. 



These matcha cookies are not too sweet, therefore, the white chocolate chips add a nice touch of sweetness to balance out the flavors.  The dried cranberries not only add a nice contrast of color to the cookies, but also a little tartness and texture as well. 



Make a batch to share with your friends and family during this Chinese New Year.  I’m sure they’ll love these gorgeous and fun cookies.  What other family traditions do you celebrate?  Do you have any special Chinese New Year dishes that you would always prepare for your family?  Leave a comment below and let me know.  I can’t wait to hear from you!





Ingredients and Tools used:
Matcha Powder (Click here for more information)
Dried Cranberries (Click here for more information)
White Chocolate Chips (Click here for more information)
Cooling Racks (Click here for more information)
Baking Sheets (Click here for more information)
Silpat (Click here for more information)
Rolling Pin (Click here for more information)
 

Pomegranate Mimosa

How was your Christmas holiday?  I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful time with your family and friends.  My family had a wonderful reunion with relatives travelling from Hong Kong.  The Kiddos had so much fun playing with their cousins.  We sure hope they’ll visit again soon. 



With so many things and events happened in 2016, some were great and some were definitely bad, it’s quite a mixed feeling to say goodbye to 2016!  On the bright side, there are many great things to look forward to.  The key is not to lose hope!  I constantly remind myself not to worry about the things that I cannot change, but to focus on how to improve myself in case I need to change and make things better!  I always tell my kids to think positive, but prepare for the worst!    



On a lighter note.  Today, I wanted to share with you the very last recipe and video tutorial for this year: Pomegranate Mimosa.  It’s a perfect cocktail to ring in the new year!  Usually, mimosa is a mix of fresh orange juice and champagne.  I’m changing things up and used pomegranate juice instead.  It’s a gorgeous and delightful twist to the traditional mimosa for sure!  I hope you’ll give this delicious cocktail a try soon.

Last but not least, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all your supports in 2016!  I’m truly grateful for each and everyone of you.  Your comments, feedback, and encouragement mean a lot to me.  Wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2017!  Cheers!




Please drink responsibly.  Health and General Disclaimers. 

Lemon Raspberry Pastry Flower

Imagine, waking up to a plate of these gorgeous pastries on your holiday breakfast table?  It’ll definitely be a beautiful way to start your day on the right note!  To me, these are perfect afternoon treats and desserts, regardless of holiday or not. 



This flower shaped pastry may seem complicated to prepare because they look so fancy!   However, the steps are really quite simple!  Check out my video tutorial above and you would agree with me too.  If you plan to serve these pastries on Thanksgiving or Christmas morning, you can even make them ahead of time!  Simply reheat them in the oven or toaster the next morning and you’re all set.  Oh, and you’re very welcome!



To me, raspberries and lemon compliment each other really well.  So, I added some lemon juice and lemon zest in the cream cheese filling inside these pastries.  They are sweet and tart at the same time.  The citrus goes so well with the floral aroma of the raspberries!  The pastry is flaky, buttery, and oh so yummy!  The crust is super crunchy; yet the inside is smooth and creamy from the cream cheese filling.  Both flavor and texture contrast each other in the best possible way!



I hope you’ll give this recipe a try soon!  Wish you all a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving celebration next week!  Have a Fancy Pastry Friday!




Ingredients and Tools Used:

Puff Pastry  (Click here for more information)
Silpat  (Click here for more information)
Cooling Racks  (Click here for more information)
Baking Sheets  (Click here for more information)
Cream Cheese  (Click here for more information)
Pizza Wheel  (Click here for more information)
Microplane  Zester (Click here for more information)
Organic Vanilla Extract  (Click here for more information)