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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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!
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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 classic French recipe for Duck Confit, or Confit de Canard, which are duck legs slowly cooked in duck fat until meltingly tender, and then pan fried until the skin is crispy and golden. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Duck Confit (Confit de Canard) Confit de Canard is a classic dish found in many Parisian bistros, and it is a dish which my mother-in-law likes to serve whenever we visit. After one of our
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!
An easy and authentic recipe for Chicken Katsu Curry which you can make at home from scratch. The chicken is coated with panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch, and the curry sauce contains a secret ingredient for the best flavour. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Chicken Katsu Curry There used to be a Wagamama’s restaurant in Zurich which we really enjoyed visiting, often to satisfy my cravings for ramen, but mostly because they had a great
Golden and crispy Chicken Schnitzel in 30 minutes! This Chicken Schnitzel recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Chicken Schnitzel In Switzerland, Chicken Schnitzel is commonly found on the childrens’ menu in most restaurants. I mention this because I wish it was more commonly available on the menu for adults!
An easy and delicious falafel recipe using canned chickpeas – perfect for easy weeknight meals! Serve with a delicious Tahini Yoghurt Sauce for a tasty meal which your friends and family will love. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Easy Falafel Recipe I always try to serve a few vegetarian meals during the week, and homemade falafels is one of my favourite go-to dishes. My husband loves the fresh salads and chopped veges that I
A Vietnamese Beef Stew (Bo Kho) which is fragrant with lemongrass, star anise and cloves. Serve with crusty baguette or flat rice noodles. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Vietnamese Beef Stew (Bo Kho) There are many who claim that Vietnamese Beef Stew, known as Bò Kho in Vietnamese, is derived from the French Boeuf aux Carottes. But upon closer inspection of both recipes, beef and carrots is pretty much all they have in common.
Chicken thighs braised in a sweet and sticky Vietnamese-style caramel sauce. This Vietnamese Caramel Chicken with Ginger is delicious served with steamed rice. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Vietnamese Caramel Chicken If you grew up in a Vietnamese household, you would probably recognise this dish well. Caramel Chicken, or Ga Kho, is a popular and tasty Vietnamese home-cooking dish; I’m not sure you would find it in many restaurants.
A classic and authentic recipe for Vietnamese Pho Noodle Soup. This beef pho recipe uses oxtail and beef brisket for a delicious and full-flavoured pho broth. Classic pho recipe with step-by-step photos. Vietnamese Pho Pho could perhaps be described as the national dish of Vietnam. But what many people don’t know is that Pho is predominantly a breakfast dish in Vietnam.
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
Delicious BBQ Pulled Pork which is perfect for entertaining! Pulled pork recipe for oven, pressure cooker and Instant Pot. BBQ Pulled Pork We have a good friend who, every summer, invites everyone over for a pulled pork feast. The pork is attentively prepared over several days and served with a homemade spicy barbecue sauce with all the fixins, including homemade tortilla bread. His pulled pork is so delicious that, until recently, I never
A quick and tasty Kimchi Fried Rice. Perfect for weeknight dinners, and it takes only 20 minutes to make! Kimchi Fried Rice As an Asian, I always have leftover cooked rice in the fridge. As my children often come home for lunch during the school day, I find that having leftover rice to hand means that I can quickly whip up something warm for lunch with a myriad of other leftover and/or pantry
Hot and spicy Black Pepper Chicken! Make this Chinese restaurant classic in less than 30 minutes! Black Pepper Chicken If you like your food hot and spicy, you will love this Black Pepper Chicken. This classic Chinese restaurant dish hits all of the right notes with fresh flavours and, as a bonus, you can make it in less than 30 minutes!
