Asian Sweet Bread (Hong Kong Pai Bao, Hokkaido Milk Bread)

Happy New Year! This post is an oldie at Instructables, but new here! Make some bread for the New Year?

I am so happy to share this recipe with you. Asian Sweet Bread is a staple in all Asian bakeries. The bread is soft and pillow-y and just melts in your mouth with a slight sweet flavor. The crust is perfectly brown and flaky. It’s gorgeous to look at…and delicious to eat. A perfect snack on any occasion and it can hold its own next to any store bought rolls or loaves.

This recipe is close to my heart as well. I have always gotten some sweet treat when going to Asian bakeries. I always came home with all kinds of bread…all of which derived from this simple recipe.

Asian Sweet Bread (otherwise called Hong Kong Pai Bao or Hokkaido Milk Bread) is a staple in Asian bakeries and it should definitely be a staple in your household Delicious, fluffy, soft and everything bread should be.

Ingredients

Food Photography Through a Novice’s Eyes

This post was a post I wrote for instructables.com after receiving a comment I should post some food photography tips. I hope you enjoy!

“I was skimming through all my dessert cookbooks one day. I desperately needed a good party dessert. I stopped to look at a delicious lemon pound cake, some chocolate chip cookies, and a very good-looking pear pie. I was thinking to myself,”

That was an excerpt from my instructable version of Pomegranate Cake Tarts. Believe me they are delicious. If you need a link, here it is.
Now, in that instructable, I said that I loved all the photos I took. I uploaded to best but still have some other shots I have rejected.

I also posted this instructable on my blog. You see, in the “food blogging world,” there is a great site called foodgawker and another one called tastespotting. These sites showcase the best of the best in food blogs. The pictures are sharp and perfectly lit. The composition is impeccable and leaves your mouth-watering. The editors of that site hold very high standards for photos and reject plenty of them.

Pomegranate Cake Tarts made it onto foodgawker (amazingly) and I was beyond happy I’m still learning the ropes for photography but I have some quick ten tips on food photography for anyone willing to learn:

Mini Pac-Man Pizza Bites

So I’m back! Don’t worry that hot pot post is still trudging along but today I present you with: Mini Pac-Man Pizza Bites

Pac-man is a classic game for everyone! It is truly an “oldie.” There are Pac-Man shirts, bags, hats, costumes; you name it. Mini Pac-Man Pizza Bites are perfect for a get together with friends to discuss the latest strategies for Pac-Man or an after school snack. They’re fun, easy to eat and make.

However, an added bonus is that these pizzas are also (somewhat) healthy for you. This recipe for pizza uses wheat flour for grains, cheese for dairy, and the toppings can cover anywhere from your vegetables to proteins.

Enjoy!

These pizza bites need:

Pomegranate Cake Tarts

I was skimming through all my dessert cookbooks one day. I stopped to look at a delicious lemon pound cake, some chocolate chip cookies, and a very good-looking pear pie. I was thinking to myself, “Someone should combine all the best parts of those desserts into one!” After some experiments I discovered the perfect combination. I present you with my very own creation to hit taste buds everywhere: Pomegranate Cake Tarts. These delicious tarts combine all the best parts of cakes, cookies, and pies. The merging of all these classic desserts makes this dessert special. The “filling” of the tart is a moist red-velvet-esque pomegranate cake. The crust of the pie is a classic cookie with little hints of white chocolate (if you choose) . And I have the perfect frosting to go along with this too: White Cream Cheese frosting. I’m proud to say I created this recipe and I’m glad to share it with all of you!

Don’ they look delicious? Well I love all my photos that I took of my final product this time but I want to know what you guys think. Leave a vote or comment saying which one you like best!

Well I know you’re anxious to get started , so here’s what you need to make these yummy tarts:

Asian-Style Tomato Soup with Rice Noodles

This recipe is so delicious and classic to our family, I just had to share. The base of the soup is mainly tomatoes but the addition of the rice noodles/vermicelli, meatballs, and tender vegetables just makes everything click together. This recipe is great because it is so versatile. We make all different versions: vegetarian, meat-loving, and everywhere in between. I made a version with tofu, shrimp, and mushrooms (picture below) but the recipe that the recipe uses has more veggies and adds some yummy homemade meatballs.  The dish is very healthy with a combination of vegetables, meat, grains (the noodles) but be creative and see what combination you’ll put together. Asian-Style Tomato Soup with Rice Noodles is a delicious, versatile  recipe for the family or for a quick dinner.

Here’s what you need to make your next dinner

An Interview With Lisa Taylor

I sent Lisa Taylor of Parsley, Sage, Desserts and Line Drives a list of interview questions and she was kind enough to answer them! Thanks a lot, Lisa! She has some great tips and talks about her own experiences in writing her blog so without further ado…

Name: Lisa Taylor (Parsley, Sage, Desserts and Line Drives)
Blog URL : http://lisamichele.wordpress.com

Additional info:

1. When did you start blogging about food?

May of 2008.

2. What was your inspiration? Was it just a share-recipes-with friends sort of thing or a I-want-to-show-the-world idea?

It started as a way to release my culinary creative juices, and soon turned into quite an obsession – especially when it came to writing and photography, which I never knew I had in me (well, photography wise, without natural light, I’m not quite where I want to be, but I get it) lol

3. What was one of the first things you remember when you first started blogging? Your first comment, subscriber, etc.?

I remember thinking my photos were awesome (flash, low light, blur..lol) and I truly believed I was doing something special combining food and baseball.  I stopped writing about baseball long ago – it’s all about the food!  That said, my first comment was pretty exciting, especially since it was from someone I didn’t know!

 

4. What’s your favorite recipe you’ve posted?

Probably my Levain Bakery COPYCAT Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies.  They aren’t quite like Levain’s yet (still trying), but I ended up with a pretty darn good fat and chewy chocolate chip cookie.

5. What’s the ingredient you use the most and what’s your favorite dish you made with it?

BUTTER, REAL BUTTER, and in almost everything!!

6. If you were to start the experience all over again, what would you change?

I would change the name of my blog, no question.  Like I said above, it no longer has anything to do with baseball, and well, it’s too long in general.

7. How to you connect with your readers?

Definitely through my writing.  My friends say I write like I talk.  Plus, I love giving away stuff, not just stuff I’m sent to promote, but stuff I buy myself or happen to have on hand, brand new, that I never use or will never use.  Those are the best giveaways, from ME to them.

8. What do you think is the strongest part of your blog?

Definitely the writing.

9. And finally, what are some tips you would offer to a new food blogger?

Just enjoy yourself, don’t think about impressing people – do what you do best and you will shine!

So there you have it: wise words from Lisa Taylor (thanks again!).

Here’s to Ringing in the New Year- Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail

I feel like I’ve haven’t posted in so long. We went away for New Year’s so I didn’t have any internet access to update the blog. I was writing a New Year’s post right before we left so here’s a Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail recipe for you. Happy Belated New Years! (when does the new year get old anyways :

Well 2010 is ending soon. It was definitely a year of high and lows and now I’m looking forward to 2011. But before then, let’s enjoy what we have left this year. New Year’s Eve is always a day for family get-togethers and fireworks. And who can forget the infamous countdown to midnight. I’ve got the perfect recipe for ringing in the new year: Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail. I made a non-alcoholic version but you can substitute other drinks for the sparkling grape juice I used.

(By the way, do you like the CD coasters?

Here’s what you need to make this delicious drink:

Healthier Homemade Mayonnaise

What do you put on your sandwich? Some ketchup, mustard, or even some mayo? Mayonnaise is found all over but why buy it when you can make it? Making your own mayonnaise allows you to flavor it the way you want. And you control what goes in it (so none of that hydrogenated or preservative stuff Although homemade mayo doesn’t last as long as store bought, it’s a bit healthier for you and you can have fun making it. Homemade mayonnaise is a better alternative than store bought mayo and is very simple to make.

Here’s what you need:

A Sneak Peek

With the holidays coming up, I hardly had a chance to post at all. Well this isn’t a full fledged recipe either. Isn’t a sneak peek better than nothing though? So without further ado…

Yummy huh? Well that’s all I have for now.

Back to holiday baking!! Cookies anyone? (I’m making some lion ones as I type

Talk to you all soon!

 

Festive Gingerbread Cheesecake Truffles

It’s time for the holidays! And everyone knows what that means…time for holiday baking! Everyone I know does the usual frosted sugar cookies that look too good to eat. This year I wanted to be a bit different so I decided to make some…Festive Gingerbread Cheesecake Truffles! These one-biters are so cute! The filling can be whatever flavor you want . I opted for some Oreos that I had on hand for a quick recipe but if you have some actual gingerbread handy, use those. Hey, you can even use those sugar cookies that you haven‘t gotten around to decorate These gingerbread men are bite sized and so adorable to make. And best of all, it’s a no bake recipe. Have fun!

PS: I loved these pictures that I took when I was making them, so for this post, there are a lot of pictures.

For these cute cheesecake truffles, you’ll need：