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. 

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.

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.

100% Whole Wheat/Grain Sandwich Bread 全麥/穀麵包

I think most of us know eating whole grain is beneficial to our health. However, making 100% whole wheat/grain bread is really a challenge. The sharp edge of the bran cuts short the gluten and makes the bread dense rather than soft. One way to tackle this is to allow the whole wheat flour to soak enough liquid so the bran is softened.

Sago Pudding with Lotus Seed Paste 蓮蓉西米布甸

This is a fusion dessert because its ingredients originate from different countries or culture.

Custard powder--English
Lotus seed paste filling--Chinese
Sago or tapioca pearls--Thai or Southeast Asian

No matter what its origin, it is a yummy and delicious dessert!

Alkaline Noodles/Ramen 手工鹼水麵

This post has been in my draft folder for quite some time and now, given current events I finally have time to finish and post it. The recipe is from a cookbook called "Momofuku" by David Chang. The famous restaurant with the same name is very popular in New York City.
It is imperative to use high gluten flour or bread flour to provide a chewy texture. If you cannot find both alkaline solutions, using either one should be fine.

Los Angeles County Cooking Program Update 3/12/2020

Please note that LA county has cancelled all programming for the month of March--including cooking programs.

For more information: https://lacountylibrary.org/coronavirus/

I will keep you posted when updates are available.

Coconut Tartlet 一口椰撻

I often regard coconut tart as a twin of egg tart. Both are a staples in Asian bakeries. However, I think coconut tart is easier to make and has a higher successful rate than egg tart. By using a smaller size tart mold makes it so cute and have no guilt feeling in eating more than one!

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!

2020 Los Angeles County Library Cooking Programs

Looking forward to a busy 2020!!

Date	Time	Library	Program
Jan 4th Saturday	2pm	La Canada Flintridge 4545 Oakwood Ave, La Canada Flintridge	Egg Tart蛋撻
Jan 7th Tuesday	5pm	AC Bilbrew 150 E El Segundo Blvd, LA	St Foods of HK: Egg Waffle & Steamed Rice Cake雞蛋仔,缽仔糕
Jan 11th Saturday	2pm	Duarte 1301 Buena Vista St, Duarte	Pineapple Pastry 鳳梨酥
Jan 15th Wed	5pm	Florence 7600 Graham Ave, LA	Egg Tart蛋撻
Jan 18th Saturday	2pm	El Camino Real 4264 E Whittier Blvd	Pineapple Pastry 鳳梨酥
Jan 25th Saturday	2pm	Agoura Hills 29901 Ladyface St, Agoura Hills	Bo Law Bao菠蘿包
Jan 29th Wed	6pm	Hollydale 12000Garfield Ave, South Gate	Bo Law Bao & Egg Tart 菠蘿包, 蛋撻
Feb 1st Saturday	11am	Willowbrook 11737 Wilmington Ave, LA	Pineapple Pastry 鳳梨酥
Feb 4th Tuesday	5pm	Hawaiian Gardens 11940 Carson St, Hawaiian Gardens	St Foods of HK: Egg Waffle & Steamed Rice Cake雞蛋仔,缽仔糕
Feb 8th Saturday	2pm	La Canada Flintridge 4545 Oakwood Ave, La Canada Flintridge	Wife Cake 老婆餅
Feb 14th Friday	12pm	Norwalk 12350 Imperial Hwy, Norwalk	Street Foods of HK: black sesame roll & curry fish ball黑芝麻卷、咖哩魚蛋
Feb 15th Saturday	2pm	Cudahy 5218 Santa Ana St, Cudahy	Street foods of HK : egg waffle, steamed rice cake, curry fish ball 雞蛋仔，缽仔糕，咖哩魚蛋
Feb 22nd Saturday	2pm	Rosemead 8800 Valley Blvd, Rosemead	Red Bean Pastry 紅豆酥
Feb 26th Wed	6pm	S. El Monte 1430 Central Ave, S. El Monte	Wife Cake and HK Milk Tea老婆餅、絲襪奶茶
March 4th  Wed	5:30pm	San Fernando 217 N Maclay Ave, San Fernando	Street Foods of HK: HK style egg waffle, steamed rice cake雞蛋仔、缽仔糕
March 7th Saturday	2pm	Hawthrone 12700 Grevillea Ave, Hawthorne	Wife Cake老婆餅
March 11th Wed	7pm	Manhattan Beach 1320 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach	Red Bean Pastry 紅豆酥
March 19th Thurs	6pm	Compton 240 W Compton Blvd, Compton	Street Foods of HK: HK style egg waffle, steamed rice cake雞蛋仔、缽仔糕
Mar 21st Saturday	2:30pm	W. Hollywood 625 N San Vicente Blvd, W. Hollywood	Wife Cake老婆餅
March 28 Saturday	2pm	Culver City 4975 Overland Ave, Culver City	Street Foods of HK: HK style egg waffle, steamed rice cake雞蛋仔、缽仔糕
April 4th Saturday	12pm	Alondra 11949 Alondra Blvd, Norwalk	Pineapple Pastry鳳梨酥
April 10th Friday	11am	La Mirada 13800 La Mirada Blvd	Pineapple Pastry, Wife Cake 鳳梨酥、老婆餅
April 11th Saturday	2pm	Bell Gardens 7110 S Garfield Ave, Bell Gardens	Pineapple Pastry鳳梨酥
April 14 Tuesday	6pm	Baldwin Park 4181 Baldwin Park Blvd, Baldwin Park	Wife Cake 老婆餅
April 18th Saturday	2pm	Paramount 16254 Colorado Ave, Paramount	Pineapple Pastry 鳳梨酥
April 25th Saturday	2pm	San Gabriel 500 S Del Mar Ave, San Gabriel	Pineapple Pastry 鳳梨酥
April 29th Wed	6pm	Wiseburn 5335 W 135th Street Hawthrone, CA 90250	Pineapple Bun/Bo Law Bao 菠蘿包
May 2nd Saturday	2pm	Stevenson Ranch 25950 The Old Rd, Stevenson Ranch	Wife Cake老婆餅
May 6th Wednesday	6:30pm	La Verne 3640 D St, La Verne	Pineapple Pastry 鳳梨酥
May 16th Saturday	2pm	Lynwood 11320 Bullis Rd, Lynwood	Street Foods of HK
May 18th Monday	5pm	Chet Holifield 1060 S Greenwood Ave, Montebello	Street Foods of HK: curry fish ball, steamed rice cake 咖哩魚蛋、缽仔糕
May 30th Saturday	11am	Malibu 23519 W Civic Center Way Malibu	Street Foods of HK: egg waffle, steamed rice cake 雞蛋仔、缽仔糕
	2pm	Topanga 122 N Topanga Cyn Rd, Topanga	Street Foods of HK: egg waffle, steamed rice cake 雞蛋仔、缽仔糕
June 1St Mon	5pm	Los Nietos 8511 Duchess Drive Whittier CA 90606	Wife Cake 老婆餅
June 3rd Wed	5pm	Florence 7600 Graham Ave, LA	Red Bean Pastry 紅豆酥
June 6th Saturday	2pm	Clifton M. Brakensiek 9945 Flower St, Bellflower	Red Bean Pastry 紅豆酥