Lei Cha (擂茶), pounded tea, is one of the most laborous Hakka cuisines. Traditionally, the many herbs used to make Lei Cha soup were pounded with a large mortar and a long stick made from a guava tree. That tool is hidden in my kitchen, as modern people use blender to make the soup nowadays! …
Hakka Lei Cha Recipe (Tea Rice/ ‘Thunder’ Tea/ 擂茶) Read More »
Chinese New Year in 2021 is an odd one. Many families around the globe will be celebrating Chinese New Year at home in a lockdown. My brother said CNY is now ‘Celebrate Next Year’. But it doesn’t have to be so. We can still celebrate at home even if you can’t cook. All you need …
No-cook Roast Chicken with Pineapple for Chinese New Year (15 Minutes, 9 Ingredients) Read More »
This dish is inspired by my late grandmother who raised seven kids while running a business. Chinese New Year was a big affair for her; she would order all the typical must-have for the festivity like chickens and cook a feast for all her children and grandchildren. Cold Dish Platter is one of the many …
Cold Dish Platter for Chinese New Year (9 Ingredients, 30 Minutes) Read More »
Cooking a Chinese New Year feast for the family can be stressful. Having done it for the first time in recent years, I still remember the trepidation. But it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of simple yet auspicious recipes out there. Steamed Chicken is one of them. WHY IS IT AUSPICIOUS When someone …
Not a great cook or never cooked for a Chinese New Year gathering before? Why not make this super easy yet impressive Wax Meat Claypot Rice? It is commonly served at Chinese New Year. Traditionally, this rice is made in the claypot. But since Chai Huat Hin who commissioned me to work on a Chinese …
Easy Waxed Meat Claypot Rice in Rice Cooker (Lap Mei Fan/ 臘味飯) – 30 Minutes Read More »
Chicken is a must-have on a Chinese family table during Chinese New Year. Traditionally, the chicken should be served whole (along with its head and feet) to symbolise prosperity and togetherness. Chai Huat Hin commissioned me to create a dish that is interesting and impressive. I decided to make Eight Treasure Chicken – where we …
Being a recipe developer means that I translate a recipe into something – either video or written – that other people can follow. I normally test the same recipe in the kitchen for at least a few times until I get it right. When I was commissioned by Chai Huat Hin to come up with …
Braised Sea Cucumber & Abalone with Superior Stock (11 Ingredients) Read More »
I was commissioned by Chai Huat Hin to create an auspicious reunion dinner menu and show the steps in a series of cooking videos. The requirement is that it must be auspicious and friendly to busy people. Golden Dried Oyster Rolls is one of the dishes I came up with. Here’s why: 1) Auspicious Oyster is …
My family makes slow-cooked Chinese soup almost everyday. At Chinese New Year reunion dinner, it is no exception. In fact, it has to be a lot more luxurious than usual. Our go-to Chinese New Year soup is Fish Maw Soup with Cabbage and Scallops. Luxurious yet affordable ingredients This time around, I’ve worked with Chai Huat …
Fish Maw, Conch, and Scallop Soup in Slow-Cooker Read More »
On the first day of Chinese New Year, every year without fail, my relatives will pay a visit to the Buddhist temple. Although neither a believer or a vegetarian, I do enjoy the special plant and soy-based dishes prepared for the festivity. Among my favourites are chicken drumstick made from soy milk (the ‘meat’ is …
Every Reunion Dinner, my family will either make Buddha Jump Over The Wall (佛跳墙) or Fish Maw Soup. Since I strongly oppose to eating Shark’s fin, now that I take over from my mother in preparing Chinese New Year feast for my family, I will always boil the latter. Recently, I went to my mother’s …
Lunar New Year to Orientals is like Christmas to Westerners. It is the most beloved and anticipated festival of the year. When I was a kid, I looked forward to buying and wearing new clothes, playing with my cousins, visiting relatives, receiving angpao (red envelopes/ 紅包) and eating all sorts of cookies. Now, I most look forward …
Hakka Yam Abacus Seeds With Vegetables (Suen Poon Chi/ 算盘子) Read More »