How to Make Chinese Steamed Cakes – 2 Ways 傳統雞蛋糕 原味+朱古力味

Ready for Chinese New Year?  This year, Chinese New Year falls on February 16th.  It’ll be the Year of Dog.  To celebrate the occasion, I’ve created this authentic and traditional Chinese dessert that you'll love: Chinese Steamed Cakes – 2 Ways 傳統雞蛋糕 原味+朱古力味!



Streamed Cake in Chinese “蒸糕”, resemble the well wished we say during the Chinese New Year. “蒸蒸”日上,步步”高”升 means getting better and better (higher and higher), such as school grades or promotion at work.  Therefore, this is one simple treat that is often prepared during the Chinese New Year.



Chinese New Year is one of the biggest festival celebrated in Asia countries.  There are many other treats and dishes that we make during Chinese New Year.  Such as Pot Stickers, Turnip Cakes, Matcha Cookies, Firecracker Shrimps, Glutinous Rice Cake, Vegetarian Chop-Suey, Pork Jerky, Sesame Dumplings, Hello KittyRed Bean Dumplings, and Osmanthus Jelly, just to name a few.






These Chinese Steamed Cakes are super spongy and fluffy.  It's slightly sweet and packed with egg-y flavors.  My kids enjoy the chocolate version a lot (which is not quite traditional).  But I personally adore the original flavors as they bring back so many childhood memories.  It's definitely a nostalgic treat for me!  What are some of your childhood food that you miss?  Share with me in the comment below.  I can't wait to hear from you!










Ingredients and Tools Used:
Organic All-Purpose Flour (Click here for more information)
Whisk (Click here for more information)
Measuring Spoons Set (Click here for more information)
Organic Vanilla Extract (Click here for more information)
6 ounces Ramekins (Click here for more information)
Valrhona Cocoa Powder (Click here for more information)
Grapeseed Oil (Click here for more information)
Bamboo Steamers (Click here for more information)
Baking Powder (Click here for more information)
Cupcake Liners (Click here for more information)
Ice Cream Scoop (Click here for more information)










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How to Make Chocolate Lava Cakes 朱古力心太軟

What is your all time favorite dessert?  Let me rephrase it.  If you can only enjoy just 1 type of dessert for the rest of your life, what would you pick?  I’m sure my whole family would have the same answer….THIS, Chocolate Lava Cake 朱古力心太軟!  



If you get to taste this cake, I’m sure you would have agreed to my previous statement.  This Chocolate Lava Cake is rich, decadent, and so satisfying.  The edges of the cake is slightly crunchy, similar to the edges of a good brownie.  And the center of the cake is light and tender.  When you spoon into the cake, you’ll see the warm chocolate 'lava' oozing out!  The cake itself is not overly sweet but definitely rich and deep in chocolate flavor.  I love pairing it with a scoop of homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream for a contrast of temperature and texture.  



This cake might look fancy and difficult to make, but it’s quite easy to prepare.  I have a foolproof recipe for you and if you follow my tips and tricks in the video tutorial, you can definitely make it too.  If you make this dessert for your sweethearts, you’ll definitely melt their hearts!  Shhh….no one has to know it’s actually so easy to make.  Let them think you spend all day in the kitchen to make this for them!  Since this recipe yields 4 cakes, it might be too many for a romantic dinner for 2.  If you are not planning to bake all 4 cakes, you can prepare the batter the same way and keep unbaked ones in the ramekins in the fridge until you are ready to bake.  So, if you’re planning a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at home, you can prepare the batter ahead of time and bake off the cakes at a later time.



I hope you have enjoyed today’s recipe and tutorial and will try this recipe soon.  Thank you so much for stopping by and stay tuned for more fun recipe.

Ingredients and Tools Used:
6 ounces Ramekins (Click here for more information)
Valrhona Cocoa Powder (Click here for more information)
Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate (Click here for more information)
Heart Shape Stencil (Click here for more information)
Measuring Spoons Set (Click here for more information)
Organic Vanilla Extract (Click here for more information)
Cooling Racks (Click here for more information)
Baking Sheets (Click here for more information)
Powdered Sugar Shaker (Click here for more information)
Whisk (Click here for more information)
Kerrygold Butter (Click here for more information)
Powdered Sugar (Click here for more information)
Oven Mitts (Click here for more information)
Organic All-Purpose Flour (Click here for more information)
Silicone Pastry Brush (Click here for more information)

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Cinnamon Pull-Apart Star Bread (Tang Zhong Method 湯種法)

Happy New Year!  Hope you’re having an awesome start to 2018 so far!



So sorry for the lack of posts in the past few weeks.  I was going to share this recipe with you before Christmas so that you can make it and share it with your family during the holidays!  Oh well, I guess things don’t always turn out the way we have planned. 



This Cinnamon Pull-Apart Star Bread might look fancy, but it’s actually quite easy to shape.  Simply follow my tips and tricks in the video tutorial and I’m sure you’ll agree.  I created this recipe using my favorite bread making method: Tang Zhong Method 湯種法!  Tang Zhong Method is a natural way to make soft and fluffy bread.  Best of all, the bread will stay soft even after a few days.  Read more about Tang Zhong Method 湯種法 here if you’re interested to learn more.



This Cinnamon Pull-Apart bread is scrumptious as is, or you can sprinkle some powdered sugar on top to make it extra pretty!  I love that you can see the layers and layers of cinnamon sugar in between the bread.  It totally reminds me of the infamous cinnamon rolls from the mall!  This bread is best served warm, in my opinion.  If you have any leftover bread, simply wrap it up tightly with plastic wrap and store it at room temperature.  To reheat, unwrap and place the bread on a baking pan, loosely tent with a foil and warm it in a 350 F preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes.  To heat it up in the microwave, simply warn each wedge of bread for 20 seconds.    



Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I hope you enjoy the recipe and tutorial.  Stay tuned for more fun recipe next week!  Wish you all a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2018!





Tools and Ingredients Used:
Wooden Spatula with Flat Top (Click here for more information)
Powdered Sugar Shaker (Click here for more information)
Active Dry Yeast (Click here for more information)
Kitchen Scale (Click here for more information)
Round Cookie Cutter Set (Click here for more information)
Sharp Pairing Knife (Click here for more information)
Baking Sheets (Click here for more information)
Kerrygold Butter (Click here for more information)
Stand Mixer (Click here for more information)
Cooling Racks (Click here for more information)
Organic All-Purpose Flour (Click here for more information)
Pastry Brush (Click here for more information)
Organic Vanilla Extract (Click here for more information)
Organic Ground Cinnamon (Click here for more information)
Rolling Pin (Click here for more information)
Measuring Spoons Set (Click here for more information)
Infrared Thermometer (Click here for more information)


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How to Make Popovers with Herb Butter (Foolproof Recipe)

Are you ready for the holidays?  My kids are almost out of school for their Winter Break and we’re already getting excited for the time off.   I personally can’t wait to hang out and spend time with the family.  We’ll have relatives visiting from overseas and everyone in the family is looking forward to that as well.  How about you?  What are your plans for the holidays?  Leave me a comment below and let me know.



For our holiday meals, my family prefer Prime Ribs over poultry or pork.  This past Thanksgiving, I even spared Mr. Turkey and made a Prime Rib Roast instead.  Besides all sorts of roasted vegetables, I also made these Popovers with Herb Butter as a side dish.  Everyone enjoyed them so much.  They are quite similar to Yorkshire pudding, which its batter consists of  eggs, flour, milk, etc.  I guess you can call these individual Yorkshire puddings?  But the traditional Yorkshire pudding often consists the roast beef’s dripping in the batter while these Popovers don’t.  However, these Popovers still packed with wonderful flavors and aromas from herbs and butter in the batter (and on the side).



These Popovers are simply amazing.  The crust is golden brown and crispy while the inside is fluffy and airy.  It’s heavenly when you serve them warm with a dab of Herb Butter.  Check out my video tutorial for tips and tricks on how to prepare both!  These popovers are pretty much fail proof if you follow my tips.  Your family will definitely love them and be prepare that they’ll ask for seconds.  My recipe makes exactly 12 popovers.  I’ll list the popover pans and other tools that I used at the end of the post for your convenience.  



When I made these popovers again to take pictures and videos, my Kids were so excited and couldn’t wait any longer (see the little hand in the picture above)?!  Yes, these Popovers are truly irresistible!  




Instead of making the traditional dinner rolls, I highly recommend that you try out this Popover with Herb Butter recipe.  You and your tummy will be glad that you did!  Thank you so much for stopping by today.  Stay tuned for more holiday recipe next week!

Tools and Ingredients Used:Popover Pan (Click here for more information)
Baking Sheets (Click here for more information)
Kerrygold Butter (Click here for more information)
Stand Mixer (Click here for more information)
Kitchen Scissors (Click here for more information)
Measuring Cups with Beaker (Click here for more information)
Whisk (Click here for more information)
Cooling Racks (Click here for more information)


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How to Fold Christmas Tree Napkins – A Festive Holiday Tablescape and Place Card Idea

Are you ready for the holiday?  If you’re hosting a Christmas party this year, I have a wonderful tablescape and place card idea for you.  I promise, it’s quick, easy, and festive!  After all, we don’t want to spend all day fixing/setting the table while we have a feast to prepare, don't we?  On a side note, my kids are into origami (art of paper folding) and therefore they totally enjoyed folding these Christmas Tree Napkins.  So, you might want to put your little helpers to work as well!  Yes, it’s so easy that kids can do it too!



See how festive this table setting is?  In addition to the visual, I wish you can smell it too.  Because I added a cinnamon stick to mimic the tree trunk and the whole plate simply smells wonderful.  I think cinnamon is one of my favorite aroma for the holidays!  It’s warm and earthy.  I feel so relax and calm sniffing it in!   



I tied a little bow tie with Christmas colored ribbon on the cinnamon stick (or you can use kitchen twine as well) so that your guest can take it home and hang it on their Christmas tree after the party!
  


The step-by-step pictorial above give you an idea of the steps.  But since I created a video tutorial for you, I think it’s even easier to just watch the video and follow along.  Have fun with this little project! And below are the materials you’ll need for this Christmas Tree Napkin!  Stay tuned for more festive recipe next week!


Christmas Tree Napkins:
Makes: 1 tables setting (simply multiply with number of guests/settings needed)

1 square green napkin  (Click here for more information)
1 cinnamon stick (Click here for more information)
1 (12-inch) long ribbon or kitchen twine (Click here for more information)
1 Gold star sticker (Click here for more information)
1 Christmas Berries sticker (Click here for more information)
1 small holiday post-it (Click here for more information)
Green Handle Flatware (Click here for more information)
White Dinner Plates (Click here for more information)
Silver Charger (Click here for more information)



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