THE BEST CARROT CAKE

How is carrot cake for Easter? The Easter bunny eats carrots thats why. Carrots are not only super nutritious, they taste so good, too.  The lowly carrot, the larder staple, the dependable side, the earthy root crop takes center stage when made into a carrot cake. 

RED VELVET CRACKLE COOKIES

There is something so sexy about red velvet. Classy sexy. It is confirmed that red velvet cake is up there on the best cake ever list. Could cookies be the next best thing?

CHINESE PORK JERKY (BAKWA)

I have a distinct memory of bakwa from too many years ago. As I crossed a busy road in Singapore, I eyed a bakwa peddler squatting on the city pavement. In front of him was a makeshift charcoal grill made out of a biscuit tin topped with chicken wire to warm his bakwa on. I couldn't resist having a slice. As he waved at the embers with a woven palm leaf fan and deftly turned the pork slice, it turned a glossy beetroot red as it warmed up. I didn't mind the waft of hot air that made the already blistering heat worse. As long as I had my pork treat, I was happy. 

EGG PIE

A pie cooling on the window sill is such a pretty sight. The aroma is a scent sent from heaven. The prospect of the first bite just thrills the imagination. Baking a pie might seem a task if you think about it but it actually is an enjoyable activity once you start the process. I am not an avid pie maker but have always wanted to know how to make the perfect pie. The perfect pie has to have a great tasting filling and a crisp, flaky and buttery crust.

YEMA CAKE

It has been four years since I've started this blog and it has been a wonderful journey. I thank everyone who often come to visit, those who leave comments, those who cook from the recipe and those who do and come back to tell me about it. The blog has become a big part of my life and I am very thankful for it.

THAI STICKY RICE AND MANGO DESSERT

Sticky rice is enjoyed in the east as in the west. Although treated differently, they are usually made into comforting desserts. 

CUSTAROONS®

Most Filipinos inherently have a sweet tooth. Pastries, cakes and sweets are regular indulgences. Over the years, bake shops have become more and more popular and each of them vie to out wit each other. Thanks to social media, what's new in the food world spread like wildfire.

PAN DE BACON

To some people, bacon is a powerful word. It elicits a strong response when it is heard. It evokes a strong emotion when it is said, pausing briefly, making a mental drumroll, before letting the word cascade with a heavy breath.

GYOZA

Gyoza, jiaozi, giaozi all refer to pot stickers, a crescent shaped Chinese dumpling. Pan fried, boiled or steamed, it always makes you want more and more of it.

PAN DE COCO (COCONUT BUNS)

In the pre-Starbucks days, the local bakery in any town in the Philippines is the hub of activity at dawn, mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Although rice is the staple food, a bakery is never more than a few yards away from one's home. The daily supply of bread is bought freshly baked in the wood-fired oven of the local panaderia (bakery). 

ASIAN SCOTCH EGGS

Eggs are synonymous to Easter. The mere mention of Easter would bring to mind eggs, chocolate eggs in particular. Easter bunnies and eggs are surely the product of a commercial ploy, much like Christmas and Valentine's Day. I must admit that it won't be fun without them.

For the Christians, Easter has a deeper and more somber meaning. Eggs still play a part but it symbolizes rebirth or resurrection. 

For foodies, Easter means feasting and eggs in many forms, among other things, are usually present.

EASY BREAKFAST PIZZA SCROLLS

My kids, when they were actually kids, shared my love for collecting cookbooks. Cooking was one of the activities we enjoyed doing together. There are a number of recipes that we've used time and time again because they were easy and delicious and always produced perfect results. 

MATCHA AND LIME CUSTARD MOCHI

As the Chinese new year celebration draws to an end, lets focus on the dessert menu. Auspicious food still has to be on the table so I chose something that will keep the family glued together. Sticky food is meant to promote family unity. Round shaped food bring unending prosperity. Nothing fits the bill more perfectly than mochi. 

CUSTARD BUNS

A trip to the Chinese bakery is always a delight. The sweet bread dough is always light and airy. The fillings are so different from Western breads and I can't make up my mind which to choose. I am quite partial to char siu buns but my husband and son love the custard filled ones.

HOT BUTTERED CHESTNUTS

In the Philippines, new year's eve celebrations are steeped in traditions and beliefs. We welcome the new year with a bang, literally. Pyrotechnics of all sorts light the sky from dusk to dawn on new year's eve to ward off evil spirits and welcome the good ones. The noise from the fireworks is deafening almost and visibility is close to zero from all the fumes. 

HAM AND CHEESE TOAST CUPS

Every year I go through a vicious cycle of being relaxed for the first three quarters of the year and go for a mad rush at the last quarter. I have never learned my lesson from the Christmas pasts. It doesn't get any easier no matter how many times I've done it. 

COCONUT MACAROONS

Coconut grows in abundance in the Philippines. Naturally it is used a lot as a cooking ingredient. Although mostly used fresh, dessicated coconut is also used for making sweets and desserts.

We used to make coconut macaroons every Christmas because it is delicious and very easy to make. With the use of a few simple ingredients and a few minutes, yummy little treats can be made. They are perfect for snacks and also as food gifts.

MINI TOAD-IN-A-HOLE WITH CRANBERRY AND ONION CHUTNEY

A Christmas table is not complete without ham, cheese and sausages. Here in England, small sausages called chipolatas are served with the Christmas turkey. They are also served with drinks and on canapés.

Toad-in-a-hole is a snack or appetizer which consists of sausages baked in yorkshire pudding batter. It usually comes with a caramelized onion gravy. What could be better? 

This is one of those kind of food that is for ordinary days as well as special occasions. It is easy to make and can be made ahead and re-heated before serving. 

CHEESE CUPCAKE

Cheese cupcake was all the rage in the 80's and everyone was making as well as buying them. It has all the flavours that Filipinos like: cheese, butter and condensed milk. Although it is called cheese cupcake, the only cheese in it is the grated cheddar on the top. 

SWEET POTATO DOUGHNUT STICKS (SWEET POTATO BICHO BICHO)

"Bicho bicho! Bicho bicho!". Hollers like this make children (and some grown ups, too) scamper out to the streets. It is the equivalent of the ice cream van's melodies to our Filipino ears.