Longan is a very popular fruit in my family’s household growing up. I remember that during our weekly grocery hauls in Manhattan Chinatown, if my dad spotted longan for sale at the fruit markets, he would approach, sample the fruit, and if they were sweet enough, he would buy bags and bags (or boxes) of…
Flamin’ Hot Sourdough Loaf
Get ready to spice up your bread game with this Flamin’ Hot Sourdough Loaf! This unique recipe combines the tangy goodness of sourdough with a fiery kick of heat.
Black Sesame Milk Bread
Milk bread is one of the first breads I learned to bake— 9ish years ago! I remember looking for a recipes on Pinterest and was surprise to find a very simple one on Anita Chu’s blog. Since then, I have been using it as a base for a bunch of different flavor combos. For this…
Spice up your BBQ with these 10 unique globally inspired side dishes
When it comes to BBQ, the main course (things that get thrown on the grill) often takes center stage. However, the perfect BBQ experience is not complete without side dishes! BBQ side dishes not only balance the richness of grilled food but also provide a refreshing change in flavor and temperature. For those who are…
Salted Egg Yolk Sourdough Focaccia with Chili Oil & Garlic
This is currently my favorite focaccia flavor! And my friends and family are loving it too. A unique Chinese twist on classic focaccia bread. The recipe combines the richness of salted egg yolk, the fiery kick of chili oil, the aromatic essence of garlic, and the moderate tang from sourdough to create a flavorful and…
Black Sesame & Banana Chiffon
Looking for ways to use up very ripe banana instead of making the usual banana bread? Give this chiffon cake a try! This light and airy chiffon cake is infused with the delicate nuttiness of black sesame seeds and sweetness of ripe bananas. It is a delightful fusion of banana bread and sponge cake with…
Making and using sourdough breadcrumbs
Have you ever found yourself with a bunch of leftover bread that’s starting to get stale or hard? Don’t throw it away! Instead, transform it into breadcrumbs and use them to create new recipes. This is a great way to reduce food waste and make the most out of your ingredients. Personally, I often do…
Chestnut Tart Bites
These Chestnut Tart Bites are simple, nutty, and buttery. They are inspired by the classic pineapple tart / pineapple cake, which is a beloved Taiwanese snack. Just like the pineapple tart, these chestnut tart bites features a buttery, crumbly crust filled with a sweet and flavorful filling. The tarts are bite sized and enclosed, making…
Spam Fried Rice Sourdough Loaf
Got some leftover Spam and cooked rice sitting in your fridge? Don’t let them go to waste! Turn those ingredients into a Spam Fried Rice Sourdough Loaf. By combining the salty goodness of spam with the aromatic flavors of fried rice and the delightful crunch of bread, you’ll create a unique and delicious dish that’s…
Quick & Easy Sourdough Discard Recipes
Are you tired of throwing away your sourdough starter discard every time you feed your starter? Well, you’re in luck! In this blog post, you’ll find recipes to transform your sourdough discard into something delicious with just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort. Here is a list of quick and easy sourdough discard recipes:…
Lavender Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies
These shortbread cookies are inspired by London Fog Latte. They are milky, buttery and floral. The added drizzle glaze adds an extra sweetness and contrast texture. Start first by making the Lavender Earl Grey Butter by creaming the earl grey tea leaves with sugar, milk powder and lavender in butter. After the butter is nice…
Chai Tea Financiers
I know, I know, saying “chai tea” is essentially saying “tea tea” BUT here in the states, when we think chai we refer to a specific type of spiced tea. Chai is a descriptor. And therefore, these fragrant spiced tea financiers are named so. Financiers are such a simple but elegant cake. They are made…
Soft Sourdough Discard Tortillas
Transform your sourdough discard into flour tortillas with this easy, and foul-proof sourdough discard tortilla recipe. I enjoy prepping these tortillas in the morning, about an hour before lunch. Simply just mix the ingredients together and let the dough relax. Then, right before lunch, I like to shape, flatten and cook the tortillas on the…
Sourdough White Cheddar & Onion Stuffed Bialys
These white cheddar and onion stuffed sourdough bialys are light, chewy, simple, and flavorful. It uses the 2 day slow, cold fermentation method used in my Sourdough Neapolitan Pizza Dough recipe to develop flavor and get that quintessential Neapolitan-style chew. It makes a wonderful breakfast, quick lunch or side item. It’s also convenient grab-and-go item…
Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies
Are you a PBJ lover? These Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies packs a flavor punch and is texturally wonderful with it’s chewy edges and a soft center. When I was selling my pastries, these cookies made up 16% of all my orders! They are bold, attention-drawing, unique and a fun twist on cookies. I hope…
Seven essential sourdough bread making tools
In this post, I am going to share with you some of my favorite sourdough baking tools. I am no sourdough expert, but I have been making and experimenting with sourdough since 2017 so I would say I have quite a bit of practice and have figured out what my favorite essentials are! Here are…
Sourdough Discard Granola with Goji Berries, Black Sesame, Almonds, and Pineapples
Looking for a nutritious, filling, and vitamin-packed snack for a long hike? Try this sourdough discard granola recipe with goji berries, black sesame, almonds and pineapples! Sourdough discard is a healthy, low fat binding ingredients that adds a depth of flavor. It is also an excellent way to reduce waste by transforming your sourdough waste…
Chinese Sausage Steamed Bun
When I was visiting my mother-in-law for Thanksgiving, she made me steamed buns with Chinese sausage. I thought it was a fun play on the hot dog buns that can be found in Chinese bakeries and I was surprised at how tasty the combo is given its simplicity! Here is a remake! This steamed bun…
Sourdough Caramelized Onion Sesame Flatbread (Zhima Dabing)
This tall layered sesame flatbread is a twist on zhima dabing. It is made with wild yeast (sourdough), giving the bread an extra depth of flavor. The sourdough dough is then rolled out and laminated with sweet and rich caramelized onions. After, it is enveloped with sesame seeds to create a crisp and nutty crust….
Kinako Sugar Cookies – Quick and Easy Cookie Recipe
Kinako is roasted soybean flour. It is very nutty and I would say tastes close to peanut butter. Kinako is most commonly used to dust and flavor mochi so it doesn’t stick, but you can also find it used in other Asian desserts, specifically Japanese, and snacks (like ice cream!). You can find Kinako at…
Candied Pomelo Scones
I have been enjoying making different kinds of citrus peels. It a refreshing light and sweet snack AND it preserves the peels for several months. I posted the basic recipe for Candied Orange Peels, which I have been using for them. For this recipe, I am using candied pomelo peels I’ve made with the above…
Rustic Sourdough Pita Crisps
These crunchy, flavorful chips are easy to make and perfect for snacking on their own or dipping into your favorite spreads and dips. In this recipe, you learn how to transform your sourdough starter into delicious pita chips in just a few simple steps. With their satisfying crunch and tangy sourdough flavor, these chips are…
Easy White Kimchi
Vegan. Gluten-Free. Keto. Low Carb. Healthy Gut Bacteria (Probiotics). You may have seen my Easy Classic Kimchi recipe that I posted back in April. It is one of the very first recipe I posted and I am happy to end the year with the non-spicy version of it: White Kimchi. This post is short and…
Honeycomb Peanut Brittle
I love peanut brittles but they have always a bit to much candy and a bit too hard for my liking. This variation leverages the light, airy, and crunchy honeycomb candy base for peanut brittles making it a delight to bite into. The honeycomb melts in your mouth and is full of honey and toffee…
Quick and Easy Sourdough Crisps with just Sourdough Discard and Spices
These Sourdough Discard Crisps are made with JUST sourdough discard, seasoning, and spices. It is the best way to use up your sourdough discard and easily and quickly transform into something delicious. The one thing that bothers me about making sourdough discard crackers is that I have to use extra flour. And personally, with a…
Mexican Hot Chocolate & Walnut Cantuccini
Cantuccini is an Italian twice-baked cookie aka biscotti that is traditionally made with no fat. They are harder than most biscotti and are made to be eaten dunked in hot coffee, tea or wine. Because of their hardness and dryness, they are shelf-stable and are perfect for gifting. Hot Chocolate is a beverage that originated…
Chili Oil Sourdough Focaccia
You may have seen my Easy Overnight Sourdough Focaccia recipe. It is an 85% hydration focaccia and it makes the softest, chewy focaccia. This Chili Oil version leverages the same process, replacing the olive oil used with Chinese Chili Oil, giving the focaccia a smokiness and firey heat. The spiciness of the focaccia is really…
Candied Orange Peels
These candied orange peels are super easy to make and requires only 3 ingredients: orange peels, sugar and water. Its a great way to reduce kitchen waste waste and as a bonus, you get some orange simple syrup to use for your teas and coffee. Enjoy these candied orange peels as as a post meal…
Szechuan Peppercorn and Chili Scallion Pancake (Pajeon)
This Sourdough Sezhuan Peppercorn and Chili Scallion Pancake is a derivative of the Korean scallion pancake: pajeon. It is chewy and savory and much softer than the Chinese-style scallion pancake. If you have tried and liked my Sourdough Discard Pajeon (Korean Scallion Pancake), Sourdough Discard Kimchi-Jeon: Kimchi Pancakes or Sourdough Haemul Pajeon: Seafood Scallion Pancake and you…
Black Sesame Rugelach
This Jewish-Asian cookie pays homage to the crispy, buttery and sweet Jewish pastry: the rugelach and the widely popular Asian dessert filling: black sesame paste. The pastry dough and black sesame paste are rolled together and tossed in turbinado sugar and baked, creating a cookie that is nutty, sweet, buttery and crispy Have you had…
Adzuki Red Bean Mochi Bar
I love adzuki beans as an ingredient in sweets and pastries and grew up eating a lot of it. Nutty, sweet and complex– it reminds me fondly of chocolate. I’ve also had a lot of mochi, in its many forms, growing up. Most often I’ve had the shelf-stable boxed version at the asian grocers, which…
Black Sesame Banana Bread
I bought some organic bananas two weeks ago and completely forgot about them in the pantry! Next thing you know, they were ultra ripe and brown. A gift in disguise since that makes it purrrfect for banana bread. This Black Sesame Banana Bread is a nutty twist on the classic banana bread. It is inspired…
Sourdough Ube Crumble Sweet Rolls
These Sourdough Ube Sweet Rolls are soft, nutty and sweet. The ube halaya filling keeps the dough soft and tender and the cookie crumble on top adds a textural contrast. It is super easy to make and best part? You mix the dough the night before and you’ll have soft rolls ready in the morning!…
Adzuki Red Bean Rugelach
This Jewish-Asian cookie pays homage to the crispy, buttery and sweet Jewish pastry: the rugelach and the widely popular Asian dessert filling: adzuki red bean paste. The pastry dough and red bean paste are rolled together and tossed in turbinado sugar and baked, creating a cookie that is nutty, sweet, buttery and crispy. The Idea…
Sourdough Discard Pork Sung & Furikake Crisps
Pork Sung and Furikake (specifically nori furikake) are two of my favorite rice toppings. Have you tried them? Pork Sung, also known as “pork floss”, is dried, crispy finely shredded pork. It’s salty, savory and slightly sweet. You can often find them in bread at Chinese bakeries. They look like this. Furikake is a seaweed…
Sourdough Discard Raisin Biscuit Crackers
The excess of raisins in the apartment led me thinking about about raisin biscuits, also known as sultanas, a buttery fruit cracker snack from my childhood. It closely resembles pie crust with raisins sandwiched between and rolled in sugar. Crawford’s is the well known brand, and I can’t recall if that was the brand I…
Easy Overnight Sourdough Focaccia
Look at them holes, isn’t it majestic? I enjoyed the simplicity of un-enriched breads and baguettes so focaccia doesn’t come to the top of mind. I’ve mostly had them at Italian restaurants where they bring them out as a complementary side; there is only a handful of times where I seek out and bought one….
Quick & Easy Microwave Honey Sesame Mochi
This sweet, nutty and chewy Honey Sesame Mochi is inspired by the sesame brittles I’ve eaten so much in my childhood. It requires just 4 simple ingredients and comes together under 5 minutes! All you need is a microwave safe bowl, glutinous rice flour, water, honey, sesame seeds and a microwave. If you have tried…
2 Layer Jasmine Milk Tea Boba Mochi Bars
A spinoff of the OG Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea Bars. These 2 layer tea infused jasmine milk tea boba mochi bars are floral, milky, sweet, chewy and fun. The bottom layer you have brown sugar boba dispersed in a jasmine green milk tea flavored mochi. The top layer is a classic sweet milk mochi….
Kimchi Cheese Rolls (Sourdough or Yeasted)
These Kimchi Cheese Rolls are tangy, cheesy & packed full of umami. Best of all, they are unfussy. They are inspired by the cheese rolls at Cheese Board Bakery. Their cheese bread is made with simple sourdough and it was so simple and perfect that it I had to try making something similar at home….
Overnight Sourdough Orange Sweet Rolls
Below, you’ll find the Sourdough Version and the Yeasted Version of the recipe Bright, citrusy, sweet with just a bit of tang that complements the orange ?. It is topped with orange zest and turbino sugar for some textural crunch. Uses 1 orange and makes 6 rolls. This brioche style bread is perfect for a…
Sweet & Spicy Turmeric Pickled Onions
Last week, I dined at Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc. The first course was a simple arugula and cabbage salad. The salad has some cucumbers, watermelon radish and… yellow pickled onions! I love the brightness and pop of color the onions added to the salad so that evening when I got home, I made my version….
Ginger Scallion Paratha
This flatbread or pancake is inspired by the ginger scallion sauce that is paired with Chinese poached chicken. The most popular being Hainan chicken. It is very simple oil based sauce made of 4 ingredients: ginger, scallion, oil and salt, and is very easy and quick to prepare. The best way to infused the ginger…
Espresso Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingest caffeine via cookies. It’s for that 2pm slumber cloud, where just a cuppa just doesn’t do it. I love myself some chewy cookies! I recently learned from @sarah_kieffer that the secret to making chewy cookies is adding cream of tartar. Since then, I have been experimenting with making cookies with it, like this Chewy Black…
Soft Raisin Yogurt Buns
A couple months ago, I ran an experiment involving making bread with Tanzhong, Yudane and Yogurt. I am still wrapping my head on how to present all that information in a blog post but the high level conclusion is this: incorporating any of the three creates a more tender bake than without. These yogurt buns…
Orange Marmalade & Almond Bostock
Making bostock is one of my favorite ways to transform stale enriched bread into a sweet treat. It is like a cross between toast and almond croissant and is super easy to make. I posted the Black Sesame Bostock recipe a few weeks ago, which is a yummy milky, sweet and nutty treat. It hits…
Soft & Toasty Scallion Rotilla (Flatbread)
Inspired by scallion pancakes and a cross between a tortilla and chapati/roti. I nickname this, “Rotilla“. Toasted on the outside but soft and layered, this flatbread is meant to be teared and eaten, roti style, rather than in a wrap. Instead of being made with whole wheat flour typical of most rotis, they are made…
Chewy Black Sesame Sugar Cookies
If you like black sesame, you would love this! These black sesame sugar cookies are perfectly thin and chewy with slightly crisp edges and intense black sesame flavor. The secret to the chew is in the ingredients. Bread flour Bread flour has a higher protein content than all purpose flour which gives you chewier cookies….
Sourdough Chinese Bacon & Chive Pancake
I’ve been loving the Chinese bacon & chive combination since making the Chinese Bacon & Chive Jian Bing. It just makes sense to make it in Cong You Bing (Scallion Pancake) style. The results: next level crisp & flakey savory pancakes! The Process First I finely mince the Chinese bacon and toast them in a…
My sourdough process: starter maintenance & baking schedule
The intention of this post is not to teach but to document and provide transparency to my sourdough process. This is what works for me with my starter and in my environment. Table of Contents Sourdough Starter If you’re looking to build and maintain a sourdough starter, you’re in luck! I’ve had success with various…