Matcha Chocolate Chips Mochi Cookies

This cookie is not very sweet with the hint of matcha and chocolate chips.  Crispy and chewy at the same time, very addicting.  You can double or triple the recipe!

This recipe yields 8 addicting cookies:

1 cup glutinous rice flour

1/6 cup maple syrup ( if you don’t know what is 1/6 cup, it is half of the 1/3 cup)

1/2 cup of water

1/4 Tbsp baking powder 

1 tsp vanilla extract

Chocolate chip to suit

1/2 tsp of good quality matcha

Methods:

1.  In a big bowl, add in glutinous rice flour, baking powder, whisk well.

2.  Then, add in vanilla extract, maple syrup, and water.  Stir and blend well until a soft dough is form.  

3.  Split the dough into 2 parts, add one part with the matcha powder, blend well.  If the white dough is a bit runny, add a tsp of glutinous rice flour.  The dough should be thick, smooth, and slightly runny.

4.  Preheat oven to 425’F.  In a lined baking sheet, spread some white dough, top it with matcha dough, and decorate chocolate chips on top.  Finish the rest.

5.  Bake for 14 minutes.  Transfer to the wire rack to cool completely.  Enjoy!

Asian Style Napa Cabbage Salad

 

Normally I would like to cook something new.  If I see an interesting recipe on social media, I would like to re-create it.  Especially if I have all the ingredients at home.  This recipe was such a case, and I liked it a lot.  Will definitely in my rotation for the next time.  I hope you like it,  too!

Ingredients:

About 2 cups/ 1 bowl of thinly sliced Napa cabbage 

1 organic carrot,  thinly sliced

1/4 cup of chopped green onion

1/2 cup of chopped cilantro 

1/4 cup of roasted peanuts 

1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds

Pink salt to taste

3 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

1 Tbsp soy sauce

2 Tbsp maple syrup 

2 Tbsp sesame oil

Sprinkles of crushed black pepper

Methods:

1.  In a big bowl, add about 1 Tbsp of pink salt to the cut Napa cabbage and let it sweat for at least half an hour.

2.  Squeeze the Napa cabbage dry and add the carrot, green onion, cilantro,  and peanuts.  Mix well.

3.  Then add the seasoning of vinegar,  soy sauce, maple syrup,  sesame oil, black pepper, and sesame seeds.  Mix and blend all together.  You can do a taste test and adjust seasonings accordingly.   I normally don't like my food too salty.  Serve cold or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Homemade Almond Croissants

 

How to turn a Costco croissant into an almond croissant?  It was fairly easy actually and can save a almond croissant lover a ton of money by doing it at home.  All you need is almond flour and almond extract, and the rest of the ingredients you would probably have it at home. 

All you need to do is to make a simple frangipane and air-fry the croissant in the air fryer at 350'F for 5 minutes. 

Frangipane

1 large egg

1/2 cup almond flour 

1/4 cup cane sugar

1/2 stick or 4 Tbsp. Unsalted butter, soften

1/2 tsp. Almond extract 

1/4 tsp. Himalayan rock salt

Methods 

1.  Whisk egg, butter, sugar, almond extract, and salt together.   Then, add almond flour and whisk together into a paste.

2.  Cut the Costco's croissant into half and spread the paste inside.  Top the croissant with some more paste and sprinkle sliced almond on top.

3.  Air-fry in the air fryer at 350'F for 5 minutes.   Serve!

Stir-fried Baby Cauliflower

I found this baby cauliflower at Trader's Joe the other day and decided to give it a try.  Believe it or not,  I had never tasted it before and was really curious about how it tasted like.

When presented with some thing that I had never cooked before,  I decided to make it vegetarian and simple.  Baby cauliflower is not bad at all, it will widen my vegetable selection for our palates. 

 Ingredients:

1 bag of baby cauliflower from Trader's Joe,  wash and cut it like the above pictures 

1/2 block of organic firm tofu, cut, pat dry, and air-fry for 15 minutes at 400'F.  Set aside.

1 organic carrot, sliced

3-4 cloves of garlic, chopped 

Chinese rice wine

Oyster sauce/ vegetarian oyster sauce

1/4 tsp. mushrooms powder 

Methods:

1.  Heat up wok, when heated, add in olive oil.  Add garlic, and stir-fry until lightly golden and add carrot and baby cauliflower.  Mix well.

2.  Add Chinese rice wine, fry well.  Add some water and cover the wok to let the vegetable soften.

3.  When soften, add in fried tofu, mix well.  Add in oyster sauce to taste and 1/4 tsp. of mushrooms powder.  Mix well and serve hot.  Enjoy!

Air-fryer Sesame Balls

I remembered the sesame balls that I used to have in Malaysia while I was young was filled with ground peanut filling.  After I moved to the US, the ones that I had were filled with mung bean paste or red bean paste.  Even to these days, I have not seen one that's filled with peanut filling, and I missed that.

Then, while browsing my Facebook page, I saw a video clip about an air-fryer sesame balls recipe that caught my attention.  An easier way to make this without the oil and heat while deep-frying sounded just perfect for me.  Furthermore,  by making it myself I can fill it with whatever filling I desired.   So, without further hesitation, let's get working.  I made my own peanut filling by grounding some toasted peanuts and sweeten coconut flakes in a food processor and then added some cane sugar and toasted sesame seeds.  Mixed well to be used as filling.  Sorry, no measurement here as I just eye balling with what I had in my pantry.

Ingredients:

1/8 cup + 1 Tbsp. White cane sugar

175ml warm water

200g glutinous flour

Filling of your choice

Sesame seeds, to suit

Method:

1.  In a bowl, dissolved sugar into the warm water.  Set aside.

2.  In another bigger bowl, add in the glutinous rice flour and pour in the sugar water mixture.  Mix and knead until a soft dough is formed.  You can add more water or glutinous flour to adjust the consistency. 

3.  Then, pinch a piece of the dough, shape into ball and flatten it and wrap the filling inside inside and close it.  Coat the balls with sesame seeds completely. 

4.  Place the sesame balls into the deep-fryer and spray with oil.  Air-fry at 370'F for 10 minutes. Open the air-fryer, and flip to the other side, spray with oil and air-fry for another 10 minutes at the same temperature. 

5.  When it is done,  don't open the air-fryer just yet,  let it sit in there for 5 minutes before open.  Otherwise,  it might cracks.  Then, serve warm!

NOTE 1: It got harden when its cold.  So, air-fry leftover at 330'F for 4 minutes.  Serve immediately. 

NOTE 2:  I still prefer it deep-fried.  Texture wise is better.

Steamed Boneless Chicken Thighs with Cordyceps and Goji berries

I saw this recipe somewhere and decided to give it a try.   Since I have cordyceps at home and I only knew how to cook soup with it,  I was glad to have found another way of cooking it. 

I have seasoned the chicken thighs to my liking and steamed it for 25 minutes.  I was pleased as it was delicious!

CNY dessert

Tang Yuan in red bean dessert soup signified "团团圆圆".

 

Steamed radish cake signified "好彩头"

Pan-fried version.  The other version is healthier without the oil.  I actually preferred it without pan-frying as it tasted nicer as it was soft and yummy.

Recipe:  https://belachan2.blogspot.com/2016/06/steamed-radish-cake.html?m=1

I always go back to my own trusted recipe that I have been using years after years. 

Chinese Lunar New Year 2023

Buddha Casserole with added ingredients 

                                    CNY Meal

 

Braised abalone with pork belly 

 

Yu seng

Homemade vegetarian version 

         Deep-fried chicken beancurd rolls

            Nian gao signified "年年高升"

                          Baby bok choy

                      Stir-fried jicama

Chinese sausage and cured pork belly sticky rice signified family always stick together. 

Portuguese egg custard tarts from Costco 

                                   CNY goodies 

Buddha Casserole from Costco

My version of Buddha Casserole that I bought from Costco.   I added white radish, napa cabbage, 3 drumsticks, fish maws, lotus roots and cured pork belly into the stock, added more water and simmered for 1 hour and 15 minutes and lastly added their abalone and shrimps and simmered for an additional 15 minutes.  Viola!

It was very good!  We had it for 3 meals.

 

Homemade Guilingao

It is very easy to make guilingao at home.  It is a cooling food and I loved to make it when someone in my family is feeling heaty. 

You just need to buy the guilingao powder from the Asian grocery store.  I used 2 Tbsp. Guilingao powder per 550ml water.  Add guilingao powder into the saucepan, then add in the room temperature water and whisk until blended.   Then placed it on to the stove top and heat it until boiling, keep stirring and watching it as not to let it over boiled, around 5 minutes.  Set it aside and scoop out any bubbles.  Let it cool completely.  It will harden.

To serve,

Scoop some into a bowl.  Top with honey or maple syrup and 1 Tbsp. of heavy cream.  Enjoy!

Keep any leftover guilingao in the refrigerator.

Korean BBQ at Home

I was craving for some Korean BBQ at home, so I just made it.  It's easy to make it at home.  You just have to marinade the meats a day before and then prepare some side dishes to go with the meal.  I was grilling with an indoor grill.

              Short ribs and spicy chicken

                                 Japchea 

           Shrimps and veggies pancakes 

Soy Glazed Potatoes

I love this soy sauce potatoes banchan or side dish that I had at the Korean restaurant so of course I have to recreate it at home.  This is the only way that I can eat until I am content as in the Korean restaurant they only gave you 4 pieces and you probably can only asked for 1free refill, my face is definitely not thick enough to ask for a second refills.  So, I love making this at home!

Since I have been making this more than once, I found an easier way to make it by using an air-fryer.  First you wash and cut the potatoes into pieces and then I coat it in oil and then I air-fry it at 400’F for 20 minutes.  Then, I stir-fry it in a pan with soy sauce, water, brown sugar, dark soy sauce, mirin and let the sauce thicken.  Lastly sprinkle with sesame seeds, mix and enjoy!

If you don’t have an air-fryer, you can do the below method.
I steamed the baby potatoes for 20 minutes first.  Then stir-fried it in oil until slightly crispy, then add soy sauce, water, brown sugar, dark soy sauce, mirin and sesame seeds.  Stir-fried until thicken and serve.

Homemade Tiramisu

This is a cream cheese whipped cream version of the Tiramisu.

I bought an organic lady fingers from Sprouts, it was made in Italy to make this Tiramisu.

I used an older recipe that I had in this blog to make this.  It was quick and easy and yield a satisfying Tiramisu.  I just slightly modified the recipe a little to make this.

 Do you want a slice?

Ingredients:

(A)
1- 8oz (226g) Philadelphia cream cheese
1/3 cup (40g) confectioner sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

(B)
300ml heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup (55g) confectioner sugar

Syrup (C)
3 Tbsp. instant coffee granules
1 tsp. cocoa powder
1 cup warm water
3 tsp. Brandy (or more to suit your taste)

Cocoa powder for dusting as needed
1 packet of Sprouts organic lady fingers



Method:

1. Whip heavy cream until soft peak, add in sugar and whip until stiff peak, set aside.

2. Beat (A) until combined (can use the same beaters you used to whip the cream, don't have to wash). Fold in the whipped cream. Set aside.

3. Dissolved coffee granules and cocoa powder into the warm water. Add in the Brandy. Stir to mix well. Set aside.  Use a shallow bowl that wide enough for the lady finger. 

4. Take one lady finger and dip into the coffee mixture,  flip to the other side and coat well and place it into the glass container or container of choice.  Do the same with other lady fingers until you finish the bottom layer.  Then coat the top with the whipped cream mixture and spread evenly.  Sprinkle all over with cocoa powder.  Then repeat the lady finger procedure to top it all over.  Then whipped cream mixture and coat the top with cocoa powder. 

5.  Cover the container and put it in the refrigerator for at least 5-6 hours before serving (or overnight).  Keep any leftover in the fridge.  Enjoy!

Stir-fried Soy Tofu Sheet

I love anything tofu, so when I spotted this soy tofu sheet, of course I wanted to buy and try to cook it.  I had it before at a potluck party and it left me with a good impression.  I loved the texture of this tofu sheet and loved that it kept its shape really well even when you stir-fried it. It also took on the flavor of the seasonings well.  So, here is my version and I hope you enjoy it!

Ingredients:

1 packet of sou tofu sheet, cut into long strips and separated it.

1 medium size yellow onion, sliced

2 jalapeño, sliced into strips

2-3 stalks of green onion, cut into 2 inches length

Thumb size ginger, thinly sliced

4 cloves of garlic, chopped

Black and toasted white sesame seeds, to suit

Lao Gan Ma chili paste, or homemade chili paste. chili oil, about 2 Tbsp. or to suit

Hoisin sauce, about 2 Tbsp.

Premium dark soy sauce, 1 Tbsp.

1/2 tsp. mushroom powder, optional

Sesame oil, about 1 tsp.

1 tsp. cane sugar

Soy sauce, to taste

Method:

1.  In a hot wok, add oil.  Add aromatic, ginger, white part of the green onion, then garlic, yellow onion and jalapeño, stir-fry until fragrant.  

2.  Add the sliced soy tofu sheet, mixed well.  Add the rest of the seasonings, season to taste.  Lastly, add the green part of the green onion, mixed well.  Turn off the fire and add the sesame seeds.  Mixed and serve.  It can be served hot or cold from the refrigerator.  Enjoy!

Homemade No Knead Baguette

Here is my no knead baguette.  If you want the recipe, just google no knead baguette and the recipe will show up.  I think this only used 4 ingredients and let it proof overnight, then shape, proof again and bake.  Very easy and delicious especially when you air-fry it in an air fryer 350"F for 3 minutes.  Then, spread with your desired spread and enjoy!

Thai Style Glass Noodle Cold Salad

In this warmer weather, I would love to make some cold dish for my girls.  I found that if I make hot noodle soup or Chinese herbal soup, I would sweat after I finish it and that is definitely not welcome when I already hot to begin with.  Hence, making a cold noodle dish or cold salad is ideal.

I just shredded some leftover chicken breast into strips, add some roasted peanut, thinly sliced cucumber, thinly sliced reconstituted wood ear fungus (parboiled it), thinly sliced carrot, some chopped cilantro, some chopped garlic and some toasted sesame seeds.  Place everything in a large bowl and season to taste with fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, sea salt, chili oil and sesame oil.  Mix well and enjoy it cold or as it.

Peach Macadamia Milk Jelly

Warm weather lets you crave for something cold.  Instead of grabbing an ice-cream from the freezer, cold jelly would be your other option.  Of course, you can use any milk or any fruit of your choice to create this jelly.  Get inspired from this and play with your own creation!

 

Ingredients:

1 little macadamia milk

10g agar-agar or jelly powder

3/4 cup cane sugar

28oz canned peach, drained and cut into cubes

Methods:

1. In a bowl, add in cane sugar and jelly powder, mixed well with a whisk, set aside.

2. Pour the milk into a large saucepan and turn up the heat.  When heated and before boiling, whisk in the sugar and jelly powder mixture, whisk well until the sugar dissolved.  Turn off the heat and set aside.  Then, add in the cut peach cubes.

3.  Pour into the mold of your choice or just a rectangle pan (like picture shown above) and let it cool on the countertop.  When cooler, put it in the refrigerator for around 2 hours.  Cut and serve as desire.  Enjoy!