Exquisite and delightful Mooncakes with Lotus Seed Paste and Salted Egg Yolks, perfect for celebrating the Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival! Full and comprehensive recipe to make mooncakes and their fillings from scratch with step-by-step photos. Mid-Autumn Festival The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, Mooncake Festival or the Harvest Festival, is celebrated in many countries in south-east Asia. The festival is celebrated in different ways – and for different
An easy recipe for Salted Egg Yolks with step-by-step photos. What are Salted Egg Yolks? Salted egg yolks are a popular ingredient in Asian cooking, particularly in Asian cakes and desserts, like Mooncakes. In the same way that salt is often added to counter the sweetness of a cake or dessert (think salted caramel sauce), salted egg yolks bring a similar salty hit.
Delicious and easy Homemade Soft Pretzels, which are soft and pillowy, with the perfect chew. These pretzels are great for snacking and entertaining, and perfect served alongside some grilled sausages! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Soft Pretzels If there is one reliable snack that my children will always devour, it would be soft pretzels. In Zurich, Brezel stands can be found all over town with a wide assortment of toppings on offer – sea
How to make homemade Lotus Seed Paste for use in Asian breads and cakes. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Lotus Seed Paste Many Asian breads and cakes contain a sweet paste-like filling, and Lotus Seed Paste is a popular option. Lotus Seed Paste is very mild in flavour and has no distinct smell like some other Asian pastes used in baked goods. It is one of my favourite filling for Mooncakes.
How to make homemade lye water for use in recipes such as Pretzels and Mooncakes. Recipe with step-by-step photos. What is Lye Water? Lye water is a food-grade alkaline water used in some recipes to help with texture or colour. For example, lye water gives Pretzels their signature dark brown colour and taste. For Mooncakes, a small amount of lye water is used to give the dough a deep, golden colour.
Crispy and crunchy fried chicken coated in a fiery and spicy sauce! This Korean Fried Chicken will blow you away! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Korean Fried Chicken Korean cuisine is having its time in the limelight right now, and I couldn’t be happier. Whether it’s a simple plate of Kimchi Fried Rice or a comforting bowl of Kimchi Jjigae, I savour every mouthful. And because fried chicken is among one of my (many)
An easy and classic Pumpkin Soup using fresh or frozen pumpkin. This is a clean-tasting and nourishing pumpkin soup, perfect for large gatherings and for simple, wholesome dinners. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Classic Pumpkin Soup My favourite season is definitely autumn, followed very closely by winter (especially if it is a snowy winter). Despite having grown up in the tropical climate of Australia, summer in any country is always far too hot, too
My go-to recipe for Chocolate Cupcakes which are easy, economical and absolutely delicious! The batter is made in one step in the food processor! These cupcakes are perfect for birthdays and bake sales, and they are great with this quick and easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. Full recipe with step-by-step photos, plus tips on baking large batches of cupcakes. Easy Chocolate Cupcakes If you need a chocolate cupcake recipe which is easy, no frills,
A delicious thick crust pizza which is crispy all over, but soft within. Made with a savoury tomato sauce and your favourite pizza toppings, this deep dish pizza will be the best homemade pizza you have ever tasted! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Deep Dish Pizza Back in my days as a corporate lawyer, I used to work frequently in Chicago (Schaumburg, to be more precise). My husband had been transferred there for a
Make dinner in about 30 minutes with this totally delicious Satay Chicken Stir Fry which uses peanut butter, creamy coconut milk and your favourite vegetables. You could also substitute the chicken for beef or tofu. Minimalism with Kids In the past 12 months or so, I have been on a mission to declutter our home. I have long aspired to have a minimalist home (I blame Pinterest) but I always felt that minimalism
Try these incredibly soft and fluffy bread rolls which are delicious served with a sweet or savoury filling. Recipe for Milk Buns with step-by-step photos. Japanese Milk Buns If you are looking for the softest, fluffiest and tastiest bread rolls, look no further than these Japanese Milk Buns! These are the perfect buns for making sandwiches, hamburgers, or to just eat as they are.
A delicious and mouth-watering BBQ Chicken Pizza with step-by-step photos! Recipe includes Homemade Pizza Dough, Homemade Barbecue Sauce, as well as instructions for making a cast iron pizza! BBQ Chicken Pizza I have a soft spot for barbecue chicken (called rotisserie chicken in most other countries), and I happen to think they make for the best chicken sandwiches. When time is tight and I am at the supermarket trying to figure out what
Sticky and delicious Chelsea Buns! These lightly spiced buns, filled with raisins, are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Chelsea Buns If you love American-style Cinnamon Rolls, chances are that you will also love the British counterpart, aka Chelsea Buns. Both are made from a sweet yeasted dough and covered in a sticky glaze, but that is where the similarities end.
Kugelhopf recipe with step-by-step photos. A kugelhopf is a yeasted bread, similar to a French brioche, which is perfect at breakfast or morning tea. Make this kugelhopf plain, with raisins or other dried fruits. What is a Kugelhopf? A kugelhopf is a yeasted bread which has been baked in a special mold, and it is typically served at breakfast in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The taste and texture of a kugelhopf is quite similar
This Kimchi Jjigae is comforting and nourishing, and super easy to make! Make this Kimchi Stew at home with this easy recipe with step-by-step photos. Kimchi Jjigae If there is a dish that defines my early days as a fresh-faced lawyer in Brisbane, this Kimchi Jjigae would be it. After long days of drafting affidavits, court hearings, mediations and other thrilling adventures, I always looked forward to grabbing dinner in town with my
This Japanese Milk Bread Loaf is the softest and most delicious white bread you have ever tasted! Try this Milk Bread recipe with step-by-step photos. Japanese Milk Bread While the rest of the world has been busy baking sourdough bread, I have been busy perfecting my milk bread recipes. Of course, there are days when a crusty loaf of sourdough is exactly what I want (especially for my toast with avocado!), but most
Got leftover Hot Cross Buns? Make this show-stopping Hot Cross Bun Bread and Butter Pudding which is both easy and delicious! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Hot Cross Bun Bread and Butter Pudding Although I am not someone who would complain about leftover Hot Cross Buns (I stash them away in the freezer to toast at breakfast), if you need some ideas for using up your leftover buns, this Hot Cross Bun Bread and
Soft and deliciously spiced Swedish Cinnamon Buns for the perfect breakfast or afternoon tea treat. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Swedish Cinnamon Buns One of my favourite places to visit is Stockholm, not just because we have family living there, but I have always had a strong affection for Swedish design and food culture. And I’m not just talking about IKEA and their meatballs – I am a huge fan of both, by the
Fun and tasty Hot Dog Flower Buns! Hot dog sausages wrapped in a soft, fluffy dough, and baked in a cute flower shape. You’ll never want to eat a normal hot dog again! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Hot Dog Flower Buns I had never seen nor heard of Hot Dog Flower Buns until a trip to Hong Kong many years ago for a friend’s wedding. I was travelling on my own at the
Fluffy and delicious Chinese Coconut Buns, just like from the Chinese bakery, except they are better! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Chinese Coconut Buns As a child, my parents owned a Vietnamese bakery in Australia. They sold everything from Vietnamese baguettes to Aussie Meat Pies. And despite the vast array of delicious treats on offer, it didn’t stop us from visiting other bakeries and getting our sweet fix elsewhere. One case in point was
A quick and easy Chocolate Fondant for the perfect warm and cosy dessert! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Chocolate Fondant One of my go-to, middle-of-the-week, easy-to-make desserts is this Chocolate Fondant, also known as Chocolate Lava Cake, Molten Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Pudding, Moelleux au chocolat … one dessert, so many names! A Chocolate Fondant is a dessert which is cake-like around the edges, but with a soft and oozy centre, hence why it is
A warm and cosy Austrian dessert comprising of thick, fluffy pancakes which are shredded and served with a tart plum compote. A delicious Kaiserschmarrn recipe with step-by-step photos. Alpine Food I often think the best part of skiing is the food. It’s the only part of the ski routine that is familiar to me, and the only time during the ski outing that I get to warm up (hint: I don’t ski fast
Soft and fluffy Cinnamon Rolls made from a brioche-like dough, and drizzled with a simple icing for a touch of indulgence. Easy recipe for Cinnamon Rolls with step-by-step photos. Cinnamon Rolls As a child, I loved anything which was slathered in icing. And it was a good thing that my parents ran a bakery because there was no shortage of cakes and buns generously decorated with a frosting of some sort. Iced Finger
A quick and delicious Chinese-style Chilli Oil with crispy chilli pieces to season your favourite Asian dishes. The oil is flavoured with Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, green cardamom and cinnamon for the perfect combination of spices. Chilli Oil A staple condiment in our kitchen is a Chinese-style Chilli Oil. I use it in a multitude of recipes (like my Steamed Tofu with Soy & Chillies), as well as in dipping sauces or to
These homemade Steamed BBQ Pork Buns are soft and fluffy with a succulent savoury filling. Make this classic Dim Sum favourite at home! Complete recipe for the bao buns, plus the Chinese Barbecue Pork filling, with step-by-step photos. Steamed BBQ Pork Buns One of my favourite dishes at Yum Cha are Steamed BBQ Pork Buns, also called Char Siu Bao. As a child, I tried to only eat them towards the end of
An easy and tasty dip with all of your favourite nacho flavours! This Mexican Layer Dip, also called a 7 Layer Dip, is a great recipe for entertaining and can be made ahead of time. Mexican Layer Dip I first tried this Mexican Layer Dip at a birthday party for a friend’s daughter. Yes, at a kid’s party! I was instantly taken by the colours of this dip and after my first try,
An easy Tiramisu recipe served in individual glasses. These Mini Tiramisu are a delicious way to end an Italian meal, and they are also perfect for entertaining. Easy Tiramisu We are lucky to have three Italian restaurants on our street, which means that if I want to take a night off cooking (it happens at least once a week!), a pizza or pasta dinner is always only a few steps away. My kids
Tender and buttery Pumpkin Scones, perfect for afternoon tea or as a savoury side dish. Make these classic Pumpkin Scones with homemade pumpkin purée or canned pumpkin. Pumpkin Scones There is something about Pumpkin Scones which always reminds me of Australia. My parents sold them in the bakery alongside the plain scones and fruit scones, and I was never sure if pumpkin scones were intended to be sweet or savoury, but I knew
How to make a classic Taiwanese-style Bubble Tea (Boba Tea) at home from scratch! Try this easy and delicious bubble tea recipe with step-by-step photos. Bubble Tea Bubble tea has finally arrived in Switzerland and I couldn’t be happier to be reunited with my favourite beverage from my student days!
Mouthwatering tacos filled with tender pulled pork and a creamy coleslaw. The perfect recipe for entertaining! Recipe instructions for stovetop, slow cooker, pressure cooker and Instant Pot. Pulled Pork Tacos One of my favourite dishes to make when entertaining a crowd is BBQ Pulled Pork. There are so many different ways of serving pulled pork, and Pulled Pork Tacos is definitely a crowd pleaser.
An easy-to-make Focaccia with Herbs and Olives which is soft and chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside. Perfect as a starter or as a side dish! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Focaccia Bread When I lived in Australia, focaccia was a staple which was sold in all bakeries and supermarkets. So when I first moved to Switzerland, I was surprised that, despite being next door to Italy, no focaccia bread could
Classic bakery-style Cream Buns filled with raspberry jam and freshly whipped cream. These soft and fluffy buns are a real tea-time treat! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Cream Buns If you’re familiar with suburban bakeries in Australia, you would be familiar with these Cream Buns. The buns are a lightly sweetened bread dough, often filled with raisins, which are split open and piped with some raspberry jam and fresh cream. So simple but yet
A tasty and authentic recipe for Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Sauce, full of fresh ingredients for maximum flavour. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Swedish Meatballs We often visit my brother-in-law and his family in Stockholm, and something we always look forward to is a hearty serve of Swedish meatballs.
A delicious recipe for Vietnamese Fried Chicken Wings. The chicken wings are marinated in fish sauce and then fried to crispy perfection, served with a sweet and sticky mouthwatering dipping sauce. Vietnamese Fried Chicken My mother used to cook a lot with chicken wings when I was younger. I’m not sure if it was just because they were cheap, or if she merely enjoyed cooking them. I certainly enjoyed eating them. She would sometimes
Make a delicious Homemade Mayonnaise in just a few minutes using ingredients from your fridge and pantry. Tips for making mayonnaise by hand or with a food processor or electric whisk. Homemade Mayonnaise One recipe which is always handy to have up your sleeve is a Homemade Mayonnaise. While it is easy to buy a jar or tube of ready-made mayonnaise, there are times when it is best to have the real thing
A quick and easy Tomato Sauce which you can serve simply with pasta or use in a variety of recipes. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Easy Tomato Sauce If there is one recipe which I make most often, it is probably this easy tomato sauce, also called a marinara sauce I have lost count of the number of meals I have made with just this basic tomato sauce and how thankful I am each
Cute and delicious Zopfhasen, which are Swiss Easter Bunny Rolls, filled with raisins and decorated with pearl sugar. Easy recipe which you can make with the kids, with step-by-step photos. Zopfhasen In the lead up to Easter, many bakeries in Switzerland start selling these delicious Zopfhasen, or Easter Bunny Rolls. Or, as my daughter likes to call them, Bunny Buns.
Tender and fluffy Chocolate Madeleines which will steal your heart! Tips for making the perfect madeleines and recipe with step-by-step photos. Heart-Shaped Madeleines Call me kitsch, but I couldn’t resist adding to my madeleine pan collection when I saw this heart-shaped mould late one night on Amazon. Those last five words also explain why the postman shows up at our place almost everyday, the poor guy.
A quick and easy Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie to impress your friends and family. And it takes less than 10 minutes to make! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Skillet Cookie This is what I make when I want to impress my kids and their friends. Hands down, every time, this skillet cookie gives maximum wow factor. And it takes less than 10 minutes to make!
The best meatballs which everyone will love! These meatballs are full of fresh flavours with a mix of beef and pork, ricotta and lots of fresh herbs. They go perfectly with pasta for an easy and delicious Spaghetti and Meatballs! Spaghetti and Meatballs Minced beef (or ground beef) happens to be a popular ingredient at this point in time. When the pandemic was first announced, it appears that toilet paper and minced beef
A Blushing Betty is a rhubarb sponge pudding with a moist and delicious cake baked on top of a luscious rhubarb compote. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Rhubarb Dessert There was a time last year when I accidentally ordered 3 kg (6 lb) of rhubarb instead of 3 stalks with my online grocery order. It was one of those errors where, upon realising the magnitude of my mistake, we could only laugh and be
A delicious recipe for Chilli Con Carne with step-by-step photos which the whole family will love! The meat sauce is slow-cooked with herbs and spices with lots of kidney beans for extra protein and texture. Serve with rice or tortilla chips for a tasty meal! Easy Chilli Con Carne For me, there is much comfort to be found in having a large pot of Chilli Con Carne bubbling away on the stove, especially
Easy and delicious Chinese Lemon Chicken which tastes better than your local take-away! Crispy pieces of fried chicken tossed in a fresh and vibrant sticky lemon glaze. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Lemon Chicken A classic dish found on many Chinese restaurant menus is Lemon Chicken. It is typically a plate of chicken pieces deep-fried in batter, and tossed in a sticky lemon glaze.
Transform any leftover, stale bread into a delicious and decadent French Toast! Easy French Toast recipe with step-by-step photos. French Toast This is the French Toast that dreams are made of. Thick, pillowy slices of bread soaked in eggs and milk, lightly scented with vanilla and cinnamon, generously sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, followed by a drizzle of warm maple syrup. Could breakfast get any better?
Crispy and crunchy bite-sized pieces of fried chicken which the whole family will love! Make this delicious Taiwanese-inspired Popcorn Chicken with step-by-step photos. Popcorn Chicken Anyone who knows me will know that I LOVE fried chicken! Nothing makes me happier than to see fried chicken on a restaurant menu, but as we haven’t been to a restaurant in the longest time, homemade fried chicken is a real treat at the moment. The easiest
An easy to follow recipe for Crème Pâtissière, also known as pastry cream or vanilla custard. Comprehensive recipe with step-by-step photos. Pastry Cream Recipe Pastry cream is a popular component of many French desserts. It is a thick, vanilla custard which you will often find inside Profiteroles or Éclairs, spread between the layers of a Millefeuilles, or used as the filling for fruit tarts.
Recreate this Dim Sum specialty, Chinese Turnip Cake (or Daikon Radish Cake), at home with the delicious and authentic recipe. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Chinese Turnip Cake With Chinese New Year around the corner, I’m already thinking ahead to our lunch menu. I typically make the same spread every year, mostly because my family expect the same dishes, but also because there is always something for everyone.
Step-by-step recipe for making Chinese Scallion Pancakes (Spring Onion Pancakes). These light, flaky and crispy pancakes are a great appetiser or as a side dish to many Chinese meals. Chinese Scallion Pancakes (Spring Onion Pancakes) I was first introduced to Chinese Scallion Pancakes (also called Spring Onion Pancakes) when I moved to Zurich many years ago. I had had the good fortune of meeting some enthusiastic Chinese food lovers in my German language
Make the best Crispy Roast Potatoes with the following tips and tricks. Recipe with step-by-step photos. The Best Roast Potatoes For me, the best side dish would have to be a generous serving of roast potatoes. Whether I am making a Roast Chicken, Duck Confit, or even just plain grilled sausages, roast potatoes just makes the meal a bit extra special.
A light and fluffy Angel Food Cake, perfect for entertaining. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Angel Food Cake An Angel Food Cake is a tall cake with a bright white sponge and fluffy texture. In Australia, it is a cake which I used to order in cafés and which was always popular at parties and celebrations. But, here in Europe, Angel Food Cake is virtually unknown.
