A delicious homemade Red Bean Paste which is perfect for Asian cakes and desserts, such as Mooncakes, Mochi and Anpan. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Red Bean Paste If you are familiar with Asian cakes and desserts, you may have noticed that Red Bean Paste is a popular filling.
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with these classic Red Bean Mooncakes. Full and comprehensive recipe to make mooncakes from scratch with step-by-step photos. Red Bean Mooncakes The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of my favourite food celebrations, partly because autumn is my favourite season, and partly because I love the mooncakes which are gifted and eaten at this time of the year.
Pan-fried Pork Buns with a soft and fluffy bao bun wrapping, and a golden and crispy bottom! Make these delicious Shanghai bao buns at home with this step-by-step recipe. Crispy Pan-Fried Pork Buns A few years ago, a small Japanese festival was held in our neighbourhood, much to my delight, as well as for my sushi-loving kids. I spontaneously announced a break from the kitchen that weekend and we happily ate tasty Japanese
Sweet and fluffy Steamed Custard Buns, a yum cha favourite! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Yum Cha When I was young, I used to envy my friends who would sit down to a proper roast lunch every Sunday. I imagined their family gatherings to be like in the TV commercials – happy faces all around the dining table, someone proudly bringing a platter of roast meat to the table, everyone tucking into their Sunday
Impress the kids with this delicious and fun Birthday Piñata Cake! This foolproof sour-cream chocolate cake recipe has been transformed into a colourful Piñata Cake which everyone will love. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Piñata Cake If you are looking for a fun birthday cake with major wow factor, this Piñata Cake is the recipe you need! In fact, now that I have made it several years in a row for both of my
A quick and super easy recipe for Pigs in Blankets, the perfect snack for birthday parties, game nights or just an easy dinner! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Pigs in Blankets One of my go-to recipes for birthday parties, school bakes, or even a game night at home, is a large batch of Pigs in Blankets. They are super easy to prepare, fun to eat, and irresistibly delicious! They also happen to be great
Make homemade dumpling wrappers from scratch with this easy recipe with step-by-step photos. These dumpling wrappers are perfect for potstickers or gyozas. Homemade Dumpling Wrappers The secret to the most perfect dumplings start with the dumpling wrappers. Homemade dumpling wrappers have a thicker and chewier texture, which makes the dumplings more interesting to eat. And because they are more robust than ready-made dumpling wrappers, the dumplings taste more substantial and filling.
Make the perfect pavlova every time with this easy pavlova recipe with step-by-step photos. Tips on how to make a pavlova with a crisp meringue shell and soft and chewy marshmallow centre. Australian Pavlova There is nothing which reminds me more of Australia than a classic pavlova. This was something I grew up eating at parties and celebrations, and a backyard BBQ was never complete without a pavlova dessert standing proud and tall
A delicious Lychee & Pomegranate Pavlova which would be perfect to celebrate the Lunar New Year or any celebration. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Flower Pavlova With the Lunar New Year around the corner, I’m always thinking of creative ways to serve dessert. First and foremost, fresh fruit is usually the dessert of choice in many Asian households. Alternatively, there is an array of sweet Asian desserts which, unless you have grown up eating
A stunning Christmas Pavlova Wreath for the festive season! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Pavlova Wreath If you are a regular here on my blog, you may have noticed several pavlova recipes. They are possibly my favourite dessert to make because they are so easy to prepare, you can make them ahead of time, there are a million ways to decorate them, and they always taste delicious.
A delightful Chocolate Pavlova with a crispy shell and chewy centre, topped with whipped cream and fresh raspberries. Follow this chocolate pavlova recipe with step-by-step photos. Chocolate Pavlova My go-to dessert is a classic pavlova topped simply with fresh passionfruit. But when I am in the mood to vary things a bit, I stray only very slightly by making a Chocolate Pavlova. I love the pastel brown colour of a Chocolate Pavlova, and
This Cardamom Babka Wreath is a stunning centrepiece for Christmas brunch, or any time of the year! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Cardamom Babka Wreath If you’re looking for the perfect centrepiece for Christmas brunch, may I suggest this Cardamom Babka Wreath? This beautifully-braided bread, heady with freshly-ground cardamom, will fill your home with the most wonderful scent as it bakes, perfect for getting everyone into the mood for a day filled with festive
A classic and easy pikelet recipe, which are mini pancakes and an Australian tea-time treat. They are light and fluffy, and delicious served warm or cold. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Pikelets Growing up in Australia, I loved eating pikelets for afternoon tea. My earliest memory of pikelets was when I was in primary school, perhaps about 8 years old, when our teacher made pikelets one afternoon and cooked them on an electric frying
Celebrate the Epiphany with a Dreikönigskuchen or Swiss Three Kings Cake. This brioche-like cake is perfect for sharing, and whoever finds the hidden fève is crowned king for the day! Follow my Dreikönigskuchen recipe with step-by-step photos. Swiss Three Kings Cake If there is one thing that can chase the post-Christmas blues away, it is the knowledge that the Epiphany is just around the corner. Once all of the Gingerbread Men, Panettone and
Fun and delicious Grittibänz, traditional sweet buns which are eaten at Christmas in Switzerland. A great recipe to make with the kids. Follow my delicious Grittibänz recipe with step-by-step photos. Christmas in Switzerland As soon as the Grittibänz start appearing in the bakeries and supermarkets here in Zurich, my children get very excited because, for them, it is a sign that Christmas is around the corner. Gingerbread Men are not exactly common here
An easy recipe for Caramel Slice (or Millionaire’s Shortbread) using sweetened condensed milk to produce a lovely, thick caramel. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Caramel Slice My parents ran a busy bakery while I was growing up in Australia, and one of the staples they always had behind the glass counters were Caramel Slices, otherwise known as Millionaire’s Shortbread in other parts of the world. Chocolate Caramel Slice In Australia, these caramel slices are
How to make the perfect, soft and fluffy steamed bao buns with step-by-step photos. Follow these tips and tricks to make the perfect homemade bao buns, perfect for filling with your favourite ingredients. Includes instructions for steaming the bao buns on the stove and in a steam oven. Bao Buns When David Chang first offered his version of Pork Belly Buns on his restaurant menu at Momofuku Noodle Bar in New York, back
Easy and elegant Vanilla Cupcakes with a classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting. These Vanilla Cupcakes contain sour cream to help keep them tender and moist for days. Full recipe with step-by-step photos, plus tips on baking cupcakes in large batches. Vanilla Cupcakes I love a classic vanilla cupcake with a simple buttercream frosting. They always look so elegant and understated as they are, yet they lend themselves so well to fun sprinkles and other
Sweet and decadent Chocolate Fudge Mooncakes for a fun twist on a classic Chinese Mooncake. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Asian Cakes and Desserts So my kids are not the biggest fans of Asian cakes and desserts. Which I can somewhat understand because, when I was their age, it was hard to tempt me with a cake filled with durian paste too 😉 Plus, my parents ran a bakery selling French-style and Australian breads
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.
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.
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,
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
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
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
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 delicious and decadent Flourless Chocolate Cake which is tender and fudgy. This is the perfect cake for desserts or celebrations! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Flourless Chocolate Cake This Flourless Chocolate Cake is perhaps one of the easiest, delicious and versatile recipes to have up your sleeve. If I need to make a gluten-free chocolate cake, I often turn to this recipe. If I want a cake which can double as dessert, this
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
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.
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.
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
Make the perfect Stovetop Popcorn at home with this easy recipe! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Stovetop Popcorn Recipe It might seem odd to give a recipe for Stovetop Popcorn when you can easily make a bag of microwave popcorn. But as we don’t own a microwave (a fact which has continually amazed our friends that we have survived raising kids thus far without one), I thought I would share how easy it is
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.
A spectacular and easy Yule Log (Bûche de Noël) to make at Christmas time. Tips to make a gluten-free Chocolate Yule Log Cake. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Yule Log My family in Switzerland has always celebrated Christmas with a Yule Log (or Buche de Noel), and when I realised that it was essentially a Swiss Roll rearranged to look like a log, I thought it was worthwhile trying to make my own one
Delicious Potstickers with a tender and juicy filling made with pork and bok choy. Make these potstickers from scratch with an easy-to-make dumpling wrapper. Potsticker recipe with step-by-step photos. Pork Potstickers I never understand those restaurants which offer potstickers as an appetiser or starter, maybe four potstickers per serve. When I eat potstickers, I want to eat a whole plate!
No party is complete without a batch of sausage rolls, and these classic Pork & Sage Sausage Rolls will be a hit with your friends and family! Sausage Rolls As an Aussie, sausage rolls have been in my food memory for as long as I can remember. My parents ran a busy suburban bakery throughout my childhood, and I can still remember the sight and smell of the gigantic tray of freshly-baked sausage
These Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are a cute and chocolatey Halloween treat! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Peanut Butter Spider Cookies I was scrolling through Pinterest one evening, looking for Halloween baking ideas, when I came across these awfully cute Peanut Butter Spider Cookies from A Spicy Perspective. Not only are they adorably sweet, but they combine two of my favourite loves – peanut butter cookies and Lindt Lindor chocolate truffles.
An easy and delicious Roast Pumpkin Soup with sweet potato, and lightly scented with cinnamon. Roasting the vegetables first gives the soup more depth and flavour. I recommend making a double batch! A Comforting Pumpkin Soup The following recipe for Roast Pumpkin Soup with sweet potato is inspired by one from Nigella Christmas, a book which is always a great source of comfort and inspiration to me at this time of the year. Nigella
An easy chocolate cake recipe that is moist and delicious, perfect for birthdays and celebrations. This easy chocolate cake recipe includes instructions for different sized cake pans, plus tips for making chocolate cupcakes. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Easy Chocolate Cake I am mindful that I have already shared quite a few chocolate cake recipes here on this blog, and that they all happen to be recipes which I frequently return to whenever a
Classic Meat Pies with a chunky beef and Guinness filling. A delicious meat pie recipe with step-by-step photos. Meat Pies For many Australians, a meat pie at lunch with a good squirt of tomato sauce (ketchup) is almost a daily ritual. You can find meat pies at nearly all Australian cafés and bakeries, corner shops and supermarkets, but making your own at home from scratch can be very satisfying.
A delicious and comforting Chinese Chicken and Corn Soup using fresh corn. It’s so easy to make this classic Chinese takeaway dish at home, plus it is healthier and fresher! Chicken and Corn Soup If you love Chinese food, chances are that you have tried Chinese Chicken and Corn Soup at one time or another. Despite it being popular and well known as a Chinese starter, it also happens to be quite common
