Wish Upon A Star - Rilakkuma Bear Bento

If my memory serves me right, playing with food was one of the big “no no” when I was young!  Maybe because of culture?  Or maybe different generations?  I don’t know.  Probably because my parents don’t want us to ended up wasting food.  How about you?  Were you allowed to play with food when you were young?  Well, I’m just glad that I can play with my food everyday in the kitchen now!  Oh, and of course, my kids are encouraged to do so as well!  After all, I think that’s a great learning and bonding time for us as a family.  Plus, the kiddos are definitely enjoying the food more if they prepare it themselves.  If you haven’t watch the video above, go ahead and check it out.  My kids and I had a good laugh after they urged me to add on the sound effects!   



We enjoyed this Rilakkuma Bear dinner so much!  And the great news is that you can easily pack it into a bento box for lunch as well.  The Rilakkuma Bear was made with rice and a little soy sauce (for the brown color).  You can use brown rice instead and omit the soy sauce if you prefer.  You’ve got to watch the video to find out how to make the eggy blanky though.  It’s easier to make than you think.  Isn’t it super adorable with the flower and heart shape patterns?  I served the rice on a bed of lettuce, some grape tomatoes, and a Sweet and Savory Chicken Drumstick on the side.  Chick here for the Chicken Drumstick recipe.  These chicken drumsticks are one of my family’s favorites and I make them quite often.   
 

Tucking this little bear in reminded me of tucking my kiddos in every night!  They are equally adorable!  Don’t forget to make a wish upon the star and have a sweet dream!  May all your wishes come true!  Have a Funny and fascinated Friday!

Ingredients and Tools used:
Light Soy Sauce (Click here for product information)
Nori (seaweed) (Click here for product information)
Food Decorating Tongs/Tweezers (Click here for product information)
Zojirushi Rice Cooker (Click here for product information)
Japanese Short Grain Rice (Click here for product information)
Small Cookie Cutter Set (Click here for product information)
Bento Cutter and Tongs Set (Click here for product information)

Pumpkin Roll Cake with Cream Cheese Filling

Did you check out my recent blog post with a recipe and a tutorial on how to make the Autumn Leaf Tuile Cookies?  Those cookies are so good!  I hope you have the will power to save some to decorate your Fall desserts, such as this amazing Pumpkin Roll Cake with Cream Cheese Filling!



Due to the rain earlier this week, we’re finally getting a bit of cooler temperature in L.A., thank goodness!  I almost thought that I can keep my jackets in the closet until next year!  The chilly Autumn temperature definitely put me in the mood for some Fall flavors and pumpkin spiced treats. 



This Pumpkin Roll Cake is packed with wonderful Fall flavors.  You can definitely taste the pumpkin and spices in it.  The slightly tangy cream cheese filling balanced perfectly with the earthy spices.  This cake is super silky, tender, and fluffy.  It’s not overly sweet at all, which is the way how I like my desserts.  The creamy whipped cream and crispy tuile cookies on top not only are beautiful to look at, they are also delicious, and give this cake a wonderful contrast of texture as well.



For the up coming Thanksgiving dinner and any Fall gathering, this cake will be the perfect dessert to share with friends and family!  You can make all the components of this cake ahead of time.  However, to ensure the crispiness of the tuile cookies, I recommend that you put them on the cake right before serving.  They tend to absorb the moisture from the cream if you add them onto the cake too early.  Don’t forget to check out the video tutorial at the beginning of this post.  This cake is surely easier to make than it looks.  Have a Flavorful Fall Friday!       



Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel here.  That way, you won’t miss out on any video and you’ll be the first to know when I have a new tutorial published.
 
Autumn Leaf Tuile Cookieshttps://goo.gl/y4LjCM

Whipped Cream Recipehttp://goo.gl/SuRhus

Tools and Ingredients used:
Powdered Sugar Shaker (Click here for more information)
Cream of Tartar (Click here for more information)
Horizon Organic Heavy Whipping Cream (Click here for more information)
Wilton 2D Decorating tip (Click here for more information)
Pastry Bag (Click here for more information)
Cooling Racks (Click here for more information)
Organic Vanilla Extract (Click here for more information)
Kerrygold Butter (Click here for more information)
Parchment Paper (Click here for more information)
Cake Flour (Click here for more information)
Organic Pumpkin Puree (Click here for more information)
10 x 15-inch Baking Pan (Click here for more information)
Ground Cinnamon (Click here for more information)
Ground Nutmeg (Click here for more information)
Cream Cheese (Click here for more information)

 

Autumn Leaf Tuile Cookies

Are you in the mood for Autumn, or Fall as that’s how we call it in the States?  My mind is definitely ready for it, but the Southern California temperature certainly didn’t think so!  Seems like we’re having an extended summer this year, again.  Seriously, I’m so ready to take out my coats and jackets already!




So, before any of the coats, boots, or down filled jackets can get out of the closet, I’m at least filling up my belly with food that are fitted for the season!  Let me present to you, Autumn Leaf Tuile Cookies!  These cookies are quite easy and fun to make.  I love that they are light and crispy, that truly resemble the Autumn falling leaves, except tastier, I assumed (cos I never tasted a real leaf, of course)!   



These cookies are delightful on their own.  They are crispy, light, buttery, and sweet, along with a hint of vanilla aroma.  I can easily enjoy a whole dozen in one sitting.



However, they are even better if you use them on your Fall desserts!  They make the most beautiful topping for my Pumpkin Roll cake and add a nice crunch for contrast in texture.  I’ll share the video tutorial on how to make the pumpkin roll next week.  So stay tuned!  For now, let’s enjoy these gorgeous Autumn Leaf Tuile Cookies!  Have a Fall Fantasy Friday!

**Update:  Click here to check out the Pumpkin Roll Cake Recipe!***





Tools and ingredients used:
Leaf Shaped Stencil (Click here for more information)
(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)
Silicone Cookie Spatula (Click here for more information)
Organic Vanilla Extract (Click here for more information)
Horizon Organic Heavy Whipping Cream (Click here for more information)
Kerrygold Butter (Click here for more information)
Offset Spatula (Click here for more information)

Spicy Salmon Poke Taco

Every morning, we listen to a local radio station on our way to school.  Last Tuesday, they mentioned Taco Tuesday and played a funny “Raining Tacos” song!  That funny song stuck in my head all morning long! 



Anyway, the Kids asked what’s a “Taco Tuesday”!!!  After explaining what it is, they came up with a brilliant idea that would help our weekly meal plan!  



The Kiddos suggested quite a few items that we’ll eat for each day of the week.  Some are practical but some aren’t quite helpful.  You know we’re having too much fun doing this when “Waffle Wednesday” almost made it to the list!



In the end, here are what we have so far: Mushroom Monday, Tofu Tuesday, Wonton Wednesday, Tomato Eggy Thursday, Fishy Friday, Soupy Saturday, and Spaghetti Sunday!  And we’ll alternate the menu every other week so we won’t get too bored with each item.    



But before we do Tofu Tuesday, allow me to have this Spicy Salmon Poke Taco for Tuesday!   It’s definitely more fun than tofu, in my opinion.  Not long ago, I shared a Poke Bowl recipe with you here.  Sounds familiar?  Yes, that’s the Spicy Salmon Poke recipe that I used in these tacos!  But besides the poke, I also added a layer of crab meat and diced avocado in these tacos.  Then, I topped them off with Japanese chili threads, micro greens, and a delicious spicy mayo sauce!  These tacos are so good!  You can taste the sweetness from the seafood and that balanced well with the spiciness from the sauce; The crunchy texture from the wonton wrapper contrast really well with the creamy avocado!  Each bite is heavenly!  



If you haven’t check out my video tutorial at the beginning of this post, be sure to do so after reading the post.  These Spicy Salmon Poke Tacos would definitely be a wonderful appetizer to serve at your next party or gathering.  You can prepare the wonton shells along with other items for the fillings and have the guests assemble their own tacos, similar to a taco bar set up!  I’ll list some of the ingredients that I used in this recipe at the bottom of this post for your reference.  Stay tuned for more fun and delicious recipe next week!  Have a Fun-Filled Friday!




Ingredients used:

Light Soy Sauce (Click here for more information)
Rice Vinegar (Click here for more information)
Hawaiian Salt (Click here for more information)
Sesame Oil (Click here for more information)
Black Sesame Seeds (Click here for more information)
White Sesame Seeds (Click here for more information)
Sriracha (Click here for more information)
Chili Threads (Click here for more information)
Japanese Mayo (Click here for more information)
WonTon Wrapper (Click here for more information)
Hawaiian Salt (Click here for more information)
Grapeseed Oil (Click here for more information)
 

Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel here.  That way, you won’t miss out on any video and you’ll be the first to know when I have a new tutorial published.

Rosé Gummy Bears

Have you seen the latest obsession over the internet and Bloggiverse?  Yes, I just made that “B” word up (but how else would you call it?)  Anyway, I meant to say, these Rosé Gummy Bears are all over the place!  The popular confession company that manufactures these Rosé Gummy Bears simply went out of stocks over the unexpected demand.  As a result, over 18,000 people had to get on the waiting list to order them!  I could totally understand why!  I mean, who wouldn’t love these cutie pinkish gummy bears that are packed with romantic Rosé flavor?  I know I couldn’t resist!



The first time when I came across these gorgeous and cutie little bears was in Hawaii over the summer.  The hotel that we stayed had a little shop that carries confessions.  But due to the limited luggage space, I had to refrain myself from buying them.  Plus, instead of paying $8.50 USD for just a small box, I decided that I can simply make these at home.  After all, they are quite easy and fun to make.  Another advantage of creating your own gummy is that you can select your favorite Rosé that suits your palates. 



If you’re hosting a party, bridal shower, celebrations, or girls gatherings, I say these Rosé Gummy Bears would be the perfect conversation starter!  You can also package them as party favors for your guests to take home as well. 



If you’ve watched the video tutorial at the beginning of this post, you can see that I used 2 different silicone molds to make these gummies.  One with a traditional gummy bear shape and the other with a rose shape.  They both came out gorgeous and the silicone molds that I had are so easy to use.  I love that the gummy bear mold a lot because it comes with a little dropper for easy filling.  I’ll list the products that I used at the end of the post for your convenience.



These Rosé Gummy Bears are truly amazing. They are only slightly sweet and you can totally taste the Rosé in them.  So, make sure you choose a wine that you would enjoy drinking (by the glass) to make these treats.  To amp up the pink color in these Rosé Gummy Bears, I added a few drops of Homemade Beet Root Natural Red food colorant.  Since I had shared this food colorant recipe in the past, I’ll list the link below so that you can check out the video tutorial as well!  Last but not least, I added a tiny amount of edible pink shimmer powder in them as well.  It added so much shine, and totally glam up these Rosé Gummy Bears!   



I hope you enjoy today’s recipe and video tutorial.  Please stay tuned for more fun and gorgeous recipe.  Until next time, have a Fabulous Friday!


Tools and Ingredients Used:

Gummy Bear Mold (Click here for more information)
Rose Shape Silicone Mold  (Click here for more information)
Edible Pink Shimmer Powder  (Click here for more information)
Unflavored Gelatin Powder (Click here for more information)
Heat Proof Measuring Cups (Click here for more information)
Measuring Spoons Set (Click here for more information)
Organic Non-Stick Cooking Spray  (Click here for more information)
All Natural Beet Root Red Colorant (Click here for more information)





This recipe contains alcohol.  Please read our Health and General Disclaimers.