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 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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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)

Home Sweet Home 3D Sugar Cookies – For Valentine’s Day!

Another Valentine’s Day treat?  Why not?  Especially when they are as adorable as these Home Sweet Home 3D Sugar Cookies!  Check out the step-by-step video tutorial above and find out how to make them. They are super easy and you can decorate them however you like it.  I’ll list the tools that I used at the bottom of this post for your reference.

This post is actually a dedication to my Hubby for Valentine’s Day!  I might not have said it often enough, but I sure hope that he knows how much I appreciate and feel grateful for everything that he did for the family.  He is always very supportive and encouraging, especially when it comes to my work.  He taught me by example to be patience and have faith with the kids.  He works hard to provide for the family so I can work part-time from home and do what I love.  Because of him, we have this place that we feel loved and secured, a place that we can called home….a Home Sweet Home, in deed!  Now, you see why I created these cookies for Valentine’s Day! 

I actually used a 3D gingerbread house cookie cutter for these sugar cookies.  But who said I have to make gingerbread cookies in February, right?  I love that I can use the cookie cutter for more than just one thing!  

 

There are many ways you can decorate these cookies too.  Besides using the 3D gingerbread house cookie cutter, I also used a mini flower and heart shaped cookie cutters to decorate these houses.  You can also use sprinkles (see the 1st picture above), or colored sugar to garnish them as well.

Serve it hanging over the tea cup (see the picture above) with rich and smooth hot chocolate and you're all set for a great afternoon tea!  (Click here for an easy and decadent homemade cocoa mix recipe.)

And of course, you can put them in treat bags and give them out to your Valentines!  They made wonderful homemade treats for sure.  Be prepared to hear oohs and aahs when you hand them out.

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you enjoy today’s post, recipe and video tutorial.  Stay tuned for more fun recipes in the near future.

Tools and Ingredients List:

3D Gingerbread House Cookie Cutter (Click Here for more information)
Mini Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter (Click Here for more information)
Mini Flower Shaped Cookie Cutter (Click Here for more information)
10-Inch Ribbon Cake Stand (Click her for more information)
Pastry Bag (Click Here for more information)
Wilton Decorating Tip No.2 Round (Click Here for more information)
Baking Sheets (Click Here for more information)
Silpat (Click Here for more information)
Stand Mixer (Click Here for more information)
Cooling Rack (Click Here for more information)
Vanilla Extract (Click Here for more information)

Strawberry Sweetheart Meringue Dessert Cups

Ready for Valentine’s Day?  Oh, don’t panic, the V-day is exactly a month from now.  But I guess being prepared is always better than rushing at the last minute, right?  That’s especially true if you’re trying something new, such as making this gorgeous and fun dessert to share with your Valentine!  Let me present to you: Strawberry Sweetheart Meringue Dessert Cups!

These gorgeous dessert cups are easier to prepare than they look.  AND, they are gorgeous?   I think strawberries and dark chocolate go hand in hand, when it comes to the ultimate dessert.  Together, I also think they are perfect ingredients for Valentine’s Day!

At the base of this Sweetheart Dessert Cup is a strawberry meringue cup, which is crispy and light.  Yet, it is slightly sweet and tart at the same time.  I covered the inside of the meringue cup with a thin layer of dark chocolate.  The dark chocolate adds a nice bitter sweet flavor while preventing moisture (from the cream) from getting into the meringue.  This way, the meringue cup stays nice and crispy.

I filled the cups with a strawberry cream, which consists of strawberry preserves for the aroma, whipping cream for the light texture, and some mascarpone cheese (Italian sweet cheese, comparable to American cream cheese) for a smooth and silky richness.   Last but not least, I garnish these cups with a strawberry in sweetheart shape and a spring of mint (please see the Youtube video above on how to easily cut the strawberries into heart shapes).  These components are similar to a pavlova, but in a dessert cup form. 

These Strawberry Sweetheart Meringue Dessert Cups will surely win your Valentine’s heart!  In my humble opinion, preparing a treat for someone is a wonderful way to show your love, don’t you agree?  I wish you all a wonderful Valentine’s Day celebration in advance.  If you don’t have a Valentine yet, you can still make this treat for your family, friends or someone you care about.   Wish you all a sweet and warm V-day.

Tools and ingredients used:

Wilton #22 Piping tip (Click here for more information)
Pastry Bag (Click here for more information)
Silpat Baking Mat (Click here for more information)
Stand Mixer (Click here for more information)
Baking Pans (Click here for more information)
Cooling Rack (Click here for more information)
Vanilla Powder (Click here for more information)
Strawberry Preserves (Click here for more information)
Vanilla Extract (Click here for more information)
Mascarpone Cheese (Click here for more information)
Heavy Cream (Click here for more information)
Dark Chocolate (Click here for more information)
Strawberry Jell-O (Click here for more information)
Oxy-Sorb Packages to keep food dry (Click here for more information) 

How to Make Edible Chocolate Dessert Bowls

Are you ready for Valentine’s Day yet?  This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday (don’t panic, it’s next Saturday Feb. 14th, not tomorrow) and I predicted that all decent restaurants will be jam packed with love birds celebrating the occasion.  My Hubby and I usually don’t dine out on that day just to avoid the crowds.  We rather relax and have a peaceful meal in the comfort of our home.  But, that doesn't mean that the Valentine’s Day dinner and dessert have to be ordinary and not spectacular!  I have this amazing dessert idea that sure will “Wow” your sweethearts.  I promise you'll have tons of fun making and eating your own creations.     



See these adorable dessert bowls in my pictures?  There’s only one ingredient (okay, maybe two if you count the sprinkles) involved, it’s made out of chocolate!!!  All you need is a few simple tools and you’ll have these amazing edible dessert bowls ready in no time.  I say, they’ll be wonderful to make with your loved ones, too.  My Kids and I had a blast making them together.




Here’s the video tutorial on how to make these Edible Chocolate Dessert Bowls.





If you like my video,  please subscribe to my Youtube channel here so  that you won’t miss out on my new videos.





Below is the stey-by-step pictorial:

1) Inflate 12 water balloons. Rinse and pat dry them with a kitchen towel, set aside. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.

2) In a medium size pot, heat one inch of water until simmer. Place 3/4 of the chopped chocolate in a heat proof bowl and place the bowl over a pot of simmering water.

3) Stir constantly until chocolate is melted. Then, add the remaining chocolate and warm until just melted.  ***Please see my note on the bottom of the post.

4) Remove from heat and let chocolate cool slightly. When chocolate is cooled but still runny, dip the bottom of the balloons into the melted chocolate, about 1/2 way.
 

 
5) Gently tap the balloon on the side of the bowl to drip off excess chocolate.

6) If desired, decorate the edges of the chocolate bowl with sprinkles. Place the chocolate dipped on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the balloons.

7) and 8) Let the chocolate harden at room temperature, about 2 hours. You can speed up the process by putting them in the refrigerator. When the chocolate is set, pop the balloon with a needle. Gently remove the balloon and your edible chocolate dessert bowls are ready to be filled with your favorite treats. Enjoy!



These dessert bowls are amazingly delicious.  My method in the recipe is one easy way to temper the chocolate, which yields a nice and shiny finish and a snapping sound when you break into them.  If you’re interested to read more about tempering chocolate, please click here.  You can fill these dessert bowls with fresh whipped cream, berries, and more sprinkles.  I also tried them with ice cream, pound cakes pieces with whipped cream, etc.  They are all amazing.  So, have fun and fill them with whatever ingredients your heart desires. 




I hop you enjoy today’s recipe and video tutorial.  For your convenience, I share some links below of the tools and props that I used for this post.  Please stay tuned for more fun and delicious recipes and thank you for stopping by! 

 
Tools and props used in this post:
Water Balloons (Click here for more information)
Calphalon Baking Sheet Pans (Click here for more information)
Bamboo Cutting Board (Click here for more information)
Small Plastic Bowl set to prep ingredients (Click here for more information)
Star Shaped Sprinkles (Click here for similar product)
Wilton Sprinkle Set (Click here for product information)
Wilton Jumble Hearts Sprinkles (Click here for product information)

Strawberry Panna Cotta with Macerated Strawberry

 
 

 
Happy Early Valentine’s Day to all of you.  I know, it’s not Valentine’s Day until Friday, February 14th.  But this year’s Valentine’s day is more special because the Chinese Valentine’s Day (January 15th on the Luna Calendar), also falls on February 14th (the Western Valentine’s Day as we all know).  Sounds a little confusing?  Never minded.  Let’s just look at that as another excuse reason to celebrate with your loved ones and eat some desserts without feeling guilty. 
 

 
I don’t know why but I think strawberries are very romantic and always associate them with Valentine’s Day.  Maybe because of their vibrate red color, and the lovely pink hue that they yield when mixing them into desserts?  I simply adore the beauty of strawberries, and my kids always agree.  
 


This Valentine’s Day, let me present to you this decadent Strawberry Panna Cotta with Macerated Strawberry.  The panna cotta is slightly sweet, tender, smooth and has the melt in the mouth texture.  The Macerated Strawberry is sweet and tart at the same time, the strawberries are slightly softened but still remain a good bite to them.  In this case, a perfect pair with the panna cotta.  I serve the Panna Cotta with a couple of Vanilla Bean Sweetheart French Macarons on the side for a different texture.  Traditionally, Panna Cotta is inverted onto a dessert plate before serving, just like the one shown on the picture below.  But, I also love to serve them in individual tea cups, which make them a little more adorable and easier for my kids to handle.



In case you like to serve them the traditional way, here’s a little pictorial to show you how.

1) First, place the chilled panna cotta in a bowl of hot water for a few seconds.
2) Wipe the bottom of the ramekin with a paper towel so the condensation doesn't go into your dessert.
3) Cover the ramekin with the dessert plate you intended to serve the panna cotta on.
4) Carefully invert the plate along with the ramekin. Keep your fingers crossed!  Remove the ramekin and spoon on the macerated strawberries.

P.S. If the panna cotta doesn't fall onto your dessert plate easily, dip the ramekin in the hot water for a few more seconds and repeat the steps.  The length of time needed depends on the temperature of your water.  The hotter the water, the less time is needed.    



This is such a simple dessert to make, but it got the “Wow” factor.  I hope you’ll give this a try and I’m sure the sweethearts in your lives will love it just as much as mine.  At least, my two little Valentines are totally in love with this dessert.   



I hope you enjoy today’s post and recipe.  And remember, we shouldn't just celebrate with our loved ones only on Valentine’s Day (although it’s always nice to do something special on this day).  You can make everyday special and lovely when you show your love; with a warm hug, a gentle kiss, or softly whisper “I love you” to those who you care about.  It could be Valentine’s Day all year round. 



 
 

Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas

As some of you might remember, I don’t always like dining out on Valentine’s Day.  I think it’s one of the most crowed day of the year at any restaurant.  So, I've always prepared Valentine’s day dinner at home.  I think it’s a sweet and warm gesture to take the time and prepare something delectable for our significant others, don’t you agree?  Here’s what’s on the menu: Raw oysters (picture above), serve with a splash of lemon juice and hot sauce.  To ensure freshness, I bought the oysters in their shells and planned to open them on my own when I got home.  Ahem…after 30 minutes, a curved butter knife, a few beat-up kitchen towels, and a cracked shell, here we have 6 super fresh oysters chilling on a bed of ice.  I say it’s not bad at all, for someone opening oysters for the very first time.  But I think I’ll leave that to the experts next time around. 



Up next, we have a mixed green salad and avocado, served with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette.  In the dressing, I used both Dijon and whole grain mustard this time.  I love serving salad.  It’s simple and easy to put together.  Plus, you can basically put any ingredients you like along with your favorite dressing.  If you haven’t done so, you should check out this Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette.  It’s always been my favorite.



For the entrée, I have prepared this gorgeous black pepper crusted filet mignon, served with blue cheese cream sauce and chives, mushrooms stuffed scallops and homemade French fries.  Oh my, what a feast!



For dessert, you can check out the latest Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Pomegranate Lemon Gelée recipe, these Strawberry Sweetheart Macaron (picture above) or these Nutella Macarons (picture below).  These desserts will ensure a sweet ending to any meal.  What’s on your Valentine’s day menu?  Are you planning to cook at home or to rather dine out?  I would love to hear from you. 




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