Mont Blanc 蒙布朗

It is not the fine writing pen you are thinking of (if you Google the term, it is what comes up on the first page). It is the highest mountain in the Alps. A pastry chef (not sure he was French or Italian. Probably French.) was inspired by it to create this famous dessert in the fifteenth century. It has a cake base with Chantilly cream in the middle, topped with a creamy chestnut puree. Since it has a long history, many different versions or variations are available. The Japanese have made it with pumpkin and taro puree. However, I still prefer to make the original with yummy chestnut puree.

Yellow Pea Pudding with Coconut Milk 椰汁馬荳糕

This is one of my all time favorite Chinese desserts. If I remember it right, I have had this recipe since high school! The fact that it's still in my recipe binder proves that it is valuable and passed the test of time. Most recipes out there use cornstarch alone as a thickening agent. But I do not like this mushy texture. My recipe has a good ratio of agar and cornstarch. Instead of being mushy, it has a good springiness to it.

Green Tea Cake Roll 綠茶蛋卷

Going green is a global trend. It is not just good for the environment but it is also good for our health. There is increasing evidence that drinking green tea is beneficial to our bodies. Green tea is also helpful in weight loss as well. (Click here for more information) No wonder the Japanese, who are heavy green tea drinkers, are generally slimmer and look younger than other ethnic groups.

I bought a bag of green tea powder/matcha powder from an Asian grocery store but it does not have any flavor or color. Then, I recently bought a different bottle from a Japanese store. Although it is expensive ($10/ounce), its flavor is very intense and the color is much more vivid than the other one from the grocery store. Sometimes, it is a waste of money to buy imitations. :(

Public Event Snap Shots 公開活動花絮

I was honored to be invited to do a demonstration on how to make bo law bao last weekend in Diamond Bar Library. It was my wildest dream that I would be sharing my passion in baking in a county library. I met many enthusiastic friends who liked the demonstration and asked a lot of questions.

White Toast --100th post 冰種方包

One hundred is a good number. This is my blog's 100th post. I have been thinking what I should post to celebrate the event....since I started with making bread, I should do it with bread.

I am not a cookbook reviewer nor a sales person, but when I use a recipe that I like, sharing with others is natural for me. I usually will check out the local library for cookbooks before buying it from a bookstore to keep in my personal library. Even though my local library has a large collection of cookbooks, Chinese cookbooks constitute a very small percentage.  Recently I purchased some Chinese cookbooks from Hong Kong (thanks to my friend Jennifer who also got me a few other goodies from Hong Kong). Besides the book about making beautiful hand painted cake rolls, this is another one.

Valentine's Day Fruit Tartlets 情人節水果撻

Here is another Valentine's Day treat: fruit tartlets with chocolate pastry cream.

QQ Korean Bread 韓國麵包

According to the census, California is one of the states which has the largest population of Asians in the country. Besides Chinese people, there is a large population of Koreans in Los Angeles. Here in Diamond Bar, Korean restaurants and grocery stores are very popular as well. My kids are very fond of Korean cuisine such as Korean BBQ ribs and tofu pots. My girl even studies Korean as a foreign language at high school. The wall of her room is filled with the posters of her favorite band "Infinite".

Chinese New Year Cake 錦鯉年糕

I don't usually make a New Year Cake because my family prefers turnip pudding for Chinese Lunar New Year. But I couldn't help not to try out this cute fish mold that I bought while vacationing in Toronto last summer.

Dragon Cake Roll 彩龍蛋糕卷

I believe baking is science, but at the same time it is a work of art. Having good presentation can make what you cook have a whole world of difference. After all, we are built to be attracted by what we see. If you put in front of some children two differently presented dishes composed of the same food, most, if not all, of the children will pick the one that is beautiful, attractive and thoughtfully presented. It is just human nature.

Slow Baked Pork Baby Back Ribs 香焗豬肋排骨

"If you cook, your family will eat dinner together.

If you cook, you will naturally have a more sustainable household.

If you cook, you'll set a lifelong example for your children.

If you cook, you'll understand what goes into food and eat more healthily.

If you cook, you'll make your home an important place in your life.

If you cook, you'll make others happy.

If you cook, people will remember you."

                                                              ~Amanda Hesser & Merrill Stubbs