Chocolate Pavlova Wreath

A beautiful Chocolate Pavlova Wreath which is perfect for the festive season. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Chocolate Pavlova Wreath It’s no secret that I love to make a pavlova whenever we are entertaining. They are incredibly easy to make (although practice makes perfect), they are perfect for making ahead of time (because they need at least a few hours or overnight to dry out), and the serving suggestions are endless (I make a

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Kitsune Udon

Kitsune Udon with fried tofu pouches filled with udon noodles. Make this easy and delicious Japanese udon noodle soup with a fun twist! Udon Noodle Soup A simple Udon Noodle Soup is something I crave when I just want a bowl of thick, chewy noodles and a plain broth to sip on. When I was a uni student in Brisbane, my friends and I used to frequent a popular Japanese restaurant in the

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Mapo Tofu

Mapo Tofu is a classic Chinese Sichuan dish which consists of tofu cooked in a delicious meat sauce. It’s hot, spicy and addictive! Recipe for Mapo Tofu with step-by-step photos. Mapo Tofu If you are a tofu fan, chances are that you have tried Mapo Tofu. It is one of my favourite dishes to order when we go to a Chinese restaurant, except I rarely order it because none of my family members

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Easy Onigiri

Onigiri are a tasty and nutritious snack made with sushi rice, filled with a delicious tuna mayo filling, and wrapped in crispy seaweed. Make these delightful rice balls at home for the perfect snack or light meal. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Onigiri Step aside soggy sandwiches … the ultimate portable snack right now is Onigiri. On those days when I need to pack lunch for my kids, I like to make Onigiri because

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How to Cook Sushi Rice

How to cook and season sushi rice for making sushi, onigiri, poké bowls and much more. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Sushi Rice My family love Japanese food, especially sushi and poké bowls, so I find myself making sushi rice at least once a week in our home. Making sushi rice is very similar to making Jasmine Rice, except a few additional steps are added which differentiates sushi rice from other types of rice.

Vietnamese Coffee Jelly

A refreshing and tasty Vietnamese Coffee Jelly, the perfect end to any meal. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Vietnamese Coffee Jelly Summers in Switzerland have gradually become more hot and humid, sometimes so unbearably so that it is hard to think of it as a country where it also snows in the winter months. One summer, I was trying to think of what dessert I could bring to a picnic with friends, one which

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Butter Mochi Cake

Soft and chewy Butter Mochi Cake. Make this delicious Hawaiian dessert for your next party or potluck dinner! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Butter Mochi Cake Mochi is currently having its time in the limelight, which makes me very happy because I love it in all its variations. I grew up eating Vietnamese and Chinese-style mochi, and a recent discovery for me is this Hawaiian Butter Mochi Cake.

Crispy Pan-Fried Pork Buns

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

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Butter Chicken

An easy Butter Chicken recipe which the whole family will enjoy! Make this delicious curry with step-by-step photos. Easy Indian Food at Home There are many things I miss about Australia, and one of them is good Indian take-away. Lamb Korma, Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Biryani … you name it, I miss it.

French Crêpes

A simple and delicious recipe for basic crêpes, or thin French pancakes. Recipe with step-by-step photos. French Crêpes Recipe My husband hails from the French region of Brittany where crêpes are thought to have originated. And so it goes without saying that, in this part of the world, it is completely acceptable to have pancakes at breakfast every morning, or even as a goûter, the French equivalent of afternoon tea.

How to Cook Jasmine Rice

How to cook perfectly steamed and fluffy Jasmine rice on the stove, with step-by-step photos. Tips for cooking rice with cast-iron and stainless steel pans. Have You Eaten Rice Yet? In the Vietnamese language, we ask “Have you eaten rice yet?” as a way of saying “Hello” or “How are you?” The phrase is intended as a greeting, as a way of asking if you are well and healthy, if everything is going

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Chashu Pork

Meltingly soft and tender Chashu Pork which is caramelised to perfection. Chashu Pork is a delicious accompaniment to Ramen or served simply with steamed rice. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Chashu Pork If you love ramen, specifally Shoyu Ramen, you may be familiar with Chashu Pork. Thin slices of Chashu Pork are a typical accompaniment to ramen noodle soups, but it is also delicious served simply with steamed Jasmine rice and Asian greens.

Japanese Udon Noodle Soup

A quick and tasty Japanese Udon Noodle Soup which takes less than 30 minutes to prepare! Perfect for weeknight dinners. Udon Noodle Soup Comfort food to me is usually a big bowl of steaming noodle soup, no matter the weather. Even in the midst of a heatwave, you will find me hunched over a bowl of noodles, slurping away happily. This Japanese Udon Noodle Soup is one of my favourite noodle soups, not

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Shoyu Ramen

Make a homemade Shoyu Ramen from scratch with this easy and delicious recipe! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Ramen Noodle Soup When I think of ramen, I think of the many cheap and cheerful meals my friends and I used to eat at the food courts in Brisbane during our years as university students or new graduates. Back then, even though money was tight, we somehow ate out a lot, and the Japanese and

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Honey Soy Chicken with Pineapple Cucumber Salad

This Honey Soy Chicken takes a few minutes to prepare for a delicious and no-fuss weeknight meal, and is perfect served with a refreshing Pineapple Cucumber Salad. Honey Soy Chicken If time is short and you need to get dinner on the table in a hurry, this recipe for Honey Soy Chicken is a winner. The caramelised and sticky chicken is full of flavour, and the best part is that you do not need to marinate the chicken beforehand!

Homemade Dumpling Wrappers

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.

Classic Pavlova

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

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Lychee & Pomegranate Flower Pavlova

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

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Christmas Pavlova Wreath

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.

Bun Bo Hue

A deliciously spicy and fragrant Vietnamese beef noodle soup with lots of fresh herbs and garnishes.  Bun Bo Hue There is often a debate amongst my Vietnamese friends as to what our favourite noodle soup is. For me, it is always a toss-up between a classic Vietnamese Beef Pho, a tomato and crab soup called Bun Rieu, or a spicy Bun Bo Hue.

Vietnamese Spaghetti Bolognese

This Vietnamese Spaghetti Bolognese is a delicious Asian twist on an Italian classic. Vietnamese Home Cooking Recently in the kitchen, I have been busy rustling up various Vietnamese dishes, including one of my favourite soups called Bun Rieu – a pork broth flavoured with crab and tomatoes, and served with vermicelli noodles and a pile of aromatic herbs. I love to make a big pot of this soup so that we can eat

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Steamed Bao Buns

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

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Pasta with Pancetta

A quick and delicious pasta recipe using only three ingredients! Olive oil, pancetta and pasta is all that you need to make this super tasty dish. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Pasta with Pancetta At its simplest, this recipe only uses three ingredients – olive oil, pancetta and pasta. This is a recipe you need to have for those evenings when you don’t know what to cook or when you simply don’t have time

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Chocolate Fudge Mooncakes

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

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Mooncakes with Lotus Seed Paste & Salted Egg Yolks

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

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Salted Egg Yolks

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.

Homemade Soft Pretzels

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

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Lotus Seed Paste

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.

Korean Fried Chicken

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)

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Cheese Waffles

Delicious Cheese Waffles with Gruyère & Thyme which are perfect as a light meal or served alongside a bowl of soup. Cheese Waffles Faced with some bits and pieces of leftover cheese in the fridge, I thought I would try my hand at a savoury waffle for lunch today, and these cheese waffles with Gruyère and fresh thyme were absolutely scrumptious!

Classic Pumpkin Soup

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

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Satay Chicken Stir Fry

satay chicken stir fry with rice

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

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Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)

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

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Flourless Chocolate Cake

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

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Homemade Chilli Oil

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

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Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)

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

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Mexican Layer Dip

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,

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Pulled Pork Tacos with Creamy Coleslaw

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.

Focaccia with Herbs and Olives

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

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Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Sauce and Homemade Lingonberry Jam

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.

Homemade Strawberry Ice-Cream

A classic homemade Strawberry Ice-Cream which is fresh, creamy and bursting with real strawberry flavour! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Ice-Cream Machine Every spring, I toy with the idea of buying an ice-cream machine. As someone who is trying (very slowly) to declutter and to only surround myself with meaningful purchases, I carefully deliberate over every home purchase, sometimes to the point where nothing ultimately gets done (or purchased!). In the case of my

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Beef Stroganoff

beef stroganoff with pasta

A quick and easy Beef Stroganoff recipe, served with a creamy mushroom and onion sauce which is perfect for weeknights. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Beef Stroganoff Recipe Beef Stroganoff has become a regular dish in our home, primarily because it is a fabulously fast and delicious dish to make during the busy week. Here is my easy Beef Stroganoff recipe which I love to make for my family.

Vietnamese Fried Chicken Wings

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

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Homemade Mayonnaise

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

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Easy Tomato Sauce

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

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Chilli Con Carne

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

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Chinese Lemon Chicken

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.

Homemade Popcorn Chicken

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

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Stovetop Popcorn

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

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Chinese Turnip Cake (Daikon Radish Cake)

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.

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