Showing posts with label Chinese. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chinese. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Chinese Almond Cookie 澳門杏仁餅






This cookie has been on my to-do list for a very long time. I have been experimenting with different recipes on and off for a few years. This recipe gives me the best results with nice almond aroma even without using any almond oil or extract. A hundred percent natural, gluten-free and a hundred percent tasty!!

Ingredients to make about a dozen cookies (depends on the size of your mold):

100g mung bean flour 綠豆粉
40g powdered sugar 糖粉
52g vegetable shortening 固體菜油
62g whole almond kernels 美國杏仁
45g sweet apricot kernels 南杏
2 tsp water 水


1)  Preheat oven to 215F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat and roast the almonds and apricot kernels for 10 minutes. Coarsely chop with a food processor after they cool down. Set aside.


2)  Adjust oven temperature to 250F.



3)  Dissolve sugar in water. Mix with shortening until it becomes a paste.
4)  Add almond and mung bean flour. Mix well with your fingers. It should look like wet sand.


5)  Put the mixture into a mooncake mold. Press the mold to shape the cookie. Then, release the cookie onto a lined cookie sheet.




6) Bake in the preheated 250F oven for 40-60 minutes. Let the cookies cool completely on a rack before serving. It can be stored in an airtight container for about 2 weeks at room temperature.

Notes:
1) The right amount of pressure is required to shape the cookie in the cake mold. Not enough pressure and the cookie may not come together properly. Too much pressure and the resulting cookie may not be as soft or will be too dense. A little practice is needed.
2) The baking time is for your reference only. Bigger cookies need more time while smaller ones do not need as much time.
3) Don't get confused between the sweet and bitter apricot kernels. They look the same. Only use the sweet ones.

1) 預熱焗爐至華氏215度。將兩種杏仁焗十分鐘,待涼後用食品器打碎備用。
2) 調教爐溫至華氏250度。
3) 水與糖攪至溶解,加入固體菜油。
4) 加入杏仁碎及綠豆粉,用手搓勻成濕沙狀。
5) 分十二份,將一份放入模具內用手指壓實,再壓出放焗盤上。
6) 放入焗爐焗約四十至六十分鐘。
7) 焗好後放架上完全涼後便可食用,可放存氣盒內於室溫約兩星期。

注意事項:
1) 餅料放入餅模後用手指壓實的力度要適中,力度過大餅會太實,口感過硬;不夠力壓實,餅可能會散。
2) 焗的時間長短要視付餅的大小,自行調教。
3) 南、北杏外表一樣,要認明標籤,不要用錯有苦味的北杏。

食譜參考:肥丁手工坊







Friday, August 14, 2020

Cold Green Bean Noodle with Shredded Chicken in Sesame Sauce 涼泮麻醬雞絲粉皮



In hot summer days, this cold dish is welcomed by my family. With the homemade sesame sauce, it is comparable to restaurant quality!

炎炎夏日,要食得清啖簡單,這味雞絲粉皮便是最佳選擇,配上自混麻醬,一家大細都鐘意。

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Chinese Sesame Cracker 中式芝麻脆餅



More sesame snacks! This is one of my childhood favorite snacks. It brings back a lot of childhood memories. I tried a few recipes and this one comes closer to what I had as a child.

What is your childhood favorite snack?


Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Black Sesame Classic Sponge Cake 黑芝麻古早味蛋糕




"沒有最好,只有更好" 用來形容這蛋糕真是最貼切。口感鬆軟、細膩,有入口即溶的感覺。成份沒有牛油,只用液體菜油。健康簡單,不用什麼裝飾或餡料,它已是一款很受歡迎的甜品 (特別在台灣、香港等地方)。今次我加入黑芝麻粉,香味濃郁,吃完一件又想吃多件。

If I were to describe this cake in a few words, it would be that it bested the best. But as they say, there is always room for improvement, and I know that in the future I will find a way to make a cake even better than this one. But for now, this cake only uses vegetable oil. Without the use of any butter at all, it is incredibly light and soft and gives you a feeling of melt-in-your-mouth cotton candy. No wonder it is so popular in Taiwan and Hong Kong. The addition of black sesame powder not only makes it more healthy, but it also imparts an irresistible aroma. 


Thursday, May 14, 2020

Chinese Black Sesame Pancake 黑芝麻燒餅

Are you eating more snacks these days because of the pandemic? You are not alone. Snacking is very common when we have more time at home or in front of the TV or computer.
 
This is a healthy snack that every one loves.



Friday, May 1, 2020

Roast Pork Belly with Air Fryer 氣炸鍋燒腩仔


I have tried different recipes and ways to make roast pork but so far this is the most trusted, reproducible and satisfactory recipe. It takes a little planning but very little hands-on time. Using an air fryer produces crispy skin every time and there is less mess to clean up as compared to a regular oven.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Chinese Walnut Cookies 中式合桃酥



When I took a bite of this walnut cookie, I couldn't believe it was made without lard or hydrogenated shortening. It is so crumbly it just melts in your mouth. It is just the taste of the cookies I had in my childhood, yet this recipe is much healthier.

傳統中式合桃酥或其他酥餅,與豬油是分不開的,但這食譜的作法只有菜油及牛油,也沒有人造(氫化)油脂,完全符合健康標準,食多幾件也無防。

入口酥鬆、即溶,做法簡單,你一定要試!

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Mango Roll 芒果腸粉




Long time no post! As I looked back to my 275 posts throughout the years, mango is one of my favorite subjects--with over 13 different recipes!

Here is my latest and new beloved dessert:


Friday, October 12, 2018

Hainan Chicken with Rice 海南雞飯


Hainan chicken is my family's favorite dish. To make this chicken, I have tried using the soaking method, in which the chicken is dipped in a hot, herb-infused brine to cook, and this steaming recipe. Both methods give me a moist chicken but I found steaming is easier to do and less wasteful, as the brine in the soaking method is merely disposed of after cooking the chicken.

Do you like the chicken more than the rice? Or the ginger and scallion infused oil? I think they are like legs of a table. Each one is indispensable from the other, and essential to the dish as a whole.

Friday, August 3, 2018

How to Make Salted Egg (Yolk Only) 淨咸蛋黃做法


Beginning this project, I was doubtful if it would work the way I saw in the pictures, if the salted egg yolks would turn out to be round, solid, yet slightly oozy. But after doing it myself, I am convinced. It is indeed an ingenious way to make salted egg yolks, without the egg whites or using the whole egg method. I have been making my own salty egg for a long time since the import is prohibited by the FDA (only cooked salty eggs can be imported to the US). But most of the time, only the egg yolks are used, like in mooncakes or other bakery products.

There is not really a recipe for it, meaning the quantity of the ingredients is arbitrary, not like in baking. It is the "how" which matters. The salt can be reused.

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Crispy Fish Skin with Salted Egg Yolk 香脆金沙魚皮


If you follow my blog, you would notice that I like snacks, appetizers or small bites food a lot. This is another good one that is very popular in Asia. It is not difficult nor complicated to make if you could get fried fish skin from local restaurant or store.

Friday, December 29, 2017

Hong Kong Style Milk Tea 絲襪奶茶



I am a tea drinker. A cup of tea in the morning, to me, is the same as coffee for other people. It really wakes me up and gets me ready for my day!
I grew up in Hong Kong, where this kind of milk tea originated. I love milk tea for its rich aroma and creamy smoothness. I have been using tea bags and three-in-one "tea". But nothing compares to a cup of freshly brewed Ceylon milk tea.

Monday, November 27, 2017

Hong Kong Milk Tea and Bo Law Bao program update


A limited number of tea filters and blended tea leaves will be available for purchase following the program. First come first served.

Date: 12/2/2017
Time: 2pm
Location: Norwood Library in El Monte, California



Saturday, November 18, 2017

Steamed Rice with Dried Seafood and Cured Meat 海味三寶臘味飯


The daily temperature in Southern California finally falls to the comfortable 70's F. It means hot pot and clay pot rice time! Clay pot rice with Chinese sausages is very common and popular but with the addition of dried shrimps, silver fishes and squid make the rice much more aromatic than with sausages and cured duck leg alone.

No clay pot? Not a problem. You can make this delicious meal using a regular rice cooker as well (just without the crunchy rice on the bottom).

It is a very easy to make dish and I don't think you need to have a "recipe" for it. Just make your regular rice, either in a rice cooker or clay pot, as soon as the water has been absorbed, lay the sausages, dried squid (soak and diced), dried shrimps and silver fishes on top. Cover and cook for another 10 minutes under medium/low heat, or until the rice cooker automatically finishes cooking. Then let it rest for another ten minutes before serving.

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Mango Sago with Pomelo 楊枝甘露


I use mangoes the most in making desserts, especially during summer--ice creamjellypanna cottamochimille crepespuddingsouffle. Yet this one is a bit different from the rest. It is in liquid form, much like dessert soups common in Asian cuisine. Unlike baking, dessert soups are very forgiving and easy to make. There is almost no way to mess up or fail. Adjust the amount of sugar or use sugar substitute according to your palate.

Using mango puree and dice mangoes together increases the mango flavor and it matches so well with coconut milk and sago. I wonder why I haven't made this before!


Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Steamed Crab with Egg and Chinese Wine 花雕水蛋蒸蟹



Out of the many cooking classes I took in Hong Kong, I think this is the most simple and yet very delicious one. The flavors of the crab and egg blend very well together and the addition of the Chinese wine adds complex flavor! It will definitely wow your family and guests. You can twist the recipe a bit to suit your tastes and needs. Follow the tips and tricks below will guarantee you a silky and smooth steamed egg.


Thursday, June 23, 2016

Handmade Steamed Rice Roll 布拉腸粉



What should be the quality of a good rice roll? Silky smooth, thin, soft and warm. And don't forget the dipping sauce. Some like plain soy sauce while others like a combination of soy sauce, hoisin sauce and sesame paste and some like to add hot, spicy sauce as well. A good rice roll, well combined sauce and a sprinkle of roasted sesame are a match made in heaven!

No matter what you prefer, it is a breakfast staple for many Chinese around the world. It is also a common and popular street food in Hong Kong. In dim sum restaurant, there are a variety of rice roll available: shrimp, minced beef and char siu. Many people also like the one wrap with Chinese fried bread stick (aka: Chinese donut)


Monday, May 2, 2016

The Best and Easiest Ma Lai Gao 最好味及易做的馬拉糕


This is my third update of some of the older recipes/posts (the other two are: Pineapple Cake/PastryTurnip Cake). The old Ma Lai Gao recipe uses an aged dough, which takes a long time and a lot of patience. This new one is a lot simpler to make and does not require lye while the result is still soft and fluffy.

隨著鳳梨酥 及 羅蔔糕 食譜的更新,今次輪到馬拉糕了。舊的食譜 用麵種做,比較費時,這個新食譜比較簡單及不須加鹼水,也一樣鬆軟可口。


Monday, April 18, 2016

Hong Kong Style Vegetarian Lo Mei 港式齋鹵味


This is one of the most popular street foods in Hong Kong. Vegetarian sweet and sour pork, curry chicken, BBQ pork....the list is quite long. I am always amazed how they are made vegetarian but taste more authentic than the real meat!!

Even though Southern California is home to the largest Asian population in the US, it is a big disappointment that I cannot find this kind of vegetarian lo mei in Chinese restaurants. If you do know where I can get this, though, let me know!

Fortunately, it is very easy to DIY. Many Chinese vegetarian dishes are made with soy product or these fried gluten balls. The ones I used are available in Chinese markets.


Tuesday, March 22, 2016

The Best Pineapple Cake/Pastry 最好味的鳳梨酥



After posting the the Best Turnip Cake, I feel the need to update my old pineapple pastry recipe as well. Pineapple pastry is one of my blog's most popular posts. It has been quoted and used to compare with other bloggers' recipes by Zoe from Bake for Happy Kids. I admire her spirit to search the best and not settle for mediocrity.

How does this new recipe different from the old one? By having more egg in this new version, it basically produces a crust which brown more nicely than the old one. The higher percentage of milk powder contributes to a richer crust as well.

As for the filling, I think what people dread most is the time it takes to cook the pineapple to a thick paste. It is a real test of your patience! Continue reading below as I show you how to cut down the cooking time.


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