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Tang Yuan – How to make sweet dumplings served with ginger syrup

In the old days, every Chinese household will make Tang Yuan 汤圆 to celebrate winter solstice 冬至, which falls on 22nd or 23rd, just three days before Christmas. There is a saying that the winter solstice is more significant than the Spring festival (Chinese New Year). No wonder many Chinese will take a day off, …

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Chicken peratal – How to make Indian dry curry (celebrate Deepavali)

Deepavali is just a few days away, and this chicken peratal recipe is just fit for the occasion.  Chicken peratal is a must-have Southern India dry curry dish to be included in your festival feast this time. This dry curry recipe is my interpretation using Malaysian curry powder. Therefore it might be slightly different from …

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Pork knuckle 橫財就手 – to celebrate Chinese New Year

Braised pork knuckle with fat choy, dried mushrooms, and dried oysters is an auspicious Chinese New Year dish for the Cantonese. The name in Cantonese is 橫財就手, has a symbolic meaning of ‘a windfall of good fortune.’ In just a few days, families worldwide will gather and celebrate the new year with a lavish feast, …

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Chinese hot pot – How to make it (a detailed guide)

What is hot pot? Chinese hot pot is a popular cooking style that involves everyone cooking their food in a shared pot of broth.  Hot pot is more of an experience than a dish itself. It encapsulates the Chinese’s communal dining ethos when close friends and family members eat together during a slow and interactive …

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Chinese dumplings – How to make it from scratch

Eating Chinese dumplings is a delightful experience. The juice flowing from the filling flows immediately to every corner of your mouth, waking up all the taste buds and sending you a euphoric feeling. That’s pure food love, and you know that one bowl of these delicate dumplings will never be enough!  Making Chinese dumplings is …

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Bak Kwa – How to make (easy method with oven)

Bak Kwa (肉干, rou gan) is the Chinese version of pork jerky, made with thinly sliced or minced pork, seasoned with soy sauce and sugar, and grilled over charcoal with an open fire. Bak Kwa, pronounced in Hokkien, is my favorite snack, especially during Chinese New Year.  The idea of making bak kwa (Chinese pork jerky) …

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Braised chicken – How to cook with mushrooms

Quick, easy, and delicious. That is how my family described this braised chicken with mushrooms recipe.  While my wife prefers quick and simple recipes, I like to challenge myself with some complicated recipes and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment.  But when we both are busy with our work, braised chicken is the best option. Simple …

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Nian gao 年糕 – How to make (the quick and easy way)

Nian gao (also known as kuih bakul)- is the must-have delicacy for Chinese New Year. Why? Since the character nian gao in Chinese is 年糕 is the homonym of the other two words 年高 (nián gāo), which means ‘a prosperous new year’, nian gao is most appropriate to serve during this auspicious festival. It is also …

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Pineapple tart – How to make this Chinese New Year delicacy

I have just made the Pineapple tart for the forthcoming Chinese New Year. This pineapple tart (黄梨挞, 黄梨酥)  is intertwined with flavor and texture  The crust is so crumbly you can hear it break under your fork (handle with care!) and the filling is the result of condensing the pineapple to a dense jam with …

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Salted egg pastry – How to make in 3 steps

Chinese salted egg pastry (蛋黄酥, 鹹蛋酥, Harm Tarn Soh) is an all-time favorite among the Chinese, particularly during the Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese New Year.  It is prepared by encasing the salted egg yolk in sweetened red bean paste or lotus paste, then wrapped in the flaky Chinese pastry. It has a unique taste of …

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