2020 Mid Autumn Festival 中秋快樂

2020--What an unprecedented and unforgettable year! I believe everything happens for a reason. What have you learned new about life? 

Life is helpless? brief? 
Or resilient? Full of hope?

2020--是充滿挑戰及前所未有的一年，我相信事情發生不是偶然。

你今年對生命有些什麼新的體會呢？

人生是無奈？短暫？
還是生生不息？充滿盼望？

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。

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?

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.