Braised Pork Ribs and Lotus Root with Red Bean Curd (Instant Pot + Stove-top)

This traditional Chinese stewed dish is very delicious. The pork ribs and lotus roots are cooked until very tender. They absorb all the flavours of red bean curd paste. This dish goes very well with a bowl of steamed rice.

Lotus roots are often used in Chinese cooking. They are so good for making stew dishes.

Fresh lotus roots are not easily found in Australia. Yet it’s very popular and easy to find around southern and eastern Asia.

I happened to spot some frozen lotus roots sold at a nearby Asian grocer. They are already cleaned, peeled and sliced, thus very handy to be used. The good thing is that the price is much cheaper than the fresh ones.

You must’ve got what my next action was after spotting some frozen lotus roots accidentally. Yes, I bought a packet back home to try.

This braised pork ribs with lotus root is a traditional Chinese dish that I tried many years ago in Hong Kong. It's often slow-cooked on stove. The taste is so scrumptious.

My Instant Pot did a very good job for me. It helped me cut short the cooking time a lot. Both of the pork ribs and lotus root were wonderfully tender, and absorbed all the tasty sauce. For those who don’t have an Instant Pot, I also inserted the stove-top instructions below.

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Stir Fried Shiitake Mushroom with Chicken

This stir fried Shiitake mushroom with chicken dish is so easy to make. The meaty texture of fresh shiitake mushrooms is very soft and smooth. It doesn’t take very long to be cooked through as the dried ones do. What will amaze you is that Shiitake mushrooms will take up all the flavours of the meat and sauce.

This time I used mirin, one of the common staples in Japanese cooking to make the sauce, with a bit of soy sauce. The whole chicken dish turned out very flavoursome. The chicken meat was just cooked through and retained a tender texture.

The highlight of the dish is the sauce that will make you don't want to waste a drop of it at all. This dish goes perfectly with a bowl of steamed rice.

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Kimchi, Pork and Tofu with Vermicelli Noodles

This Kimchi, pork and tofu with vermicelli noodles dish becomes our family's favourite, so nourishing and delicious. You can make it from scratch and serve it on your dining table within minutes.

Kimchi is nutritious and delicious that almost can’t be missed in every Korean meal. Miso is also an essential and healthy seasoning in Japanese cooking.

I tried combining both of them in one dish, popped in some thinly sliced pork with tofu, and found the end result so amazing.

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Braised Chu Hou Chicken Wings (柱侯雞翼)

Finding balance between a busy schedule and enjoying quality meals at home can be effortless with the right approach. This Braised Chu Hou Chicken Wings recipe delivers authentic Cantonese flavors with minimal time and effort, making it an ideal choice for quality-conscious home cooks.

If you love the classic Hong Kong hot pot dish, stewed brisket with Chu Hou paste (柱侯牛腩) like me, you will like this braised chicken wings.

The rich, savory, and slightly sweet notes of fermented soybean Chu Hou paste perfectly coat every piece of chicken wing, creating a deeply satisfying dish that pairs exceptionally well with warm steamed rice. Cooking does not need to be complicated to be nourishing. By streamlining the cooking process into a 15-minute quick stir-fry and braise, this recipe preserves simple ingredients while ensuring a balanced meal with added fresh peppers and onions. Embracing everyday grace through shared meals allows us to slow down and appreciate life's quiet moments. Simplify your routine, cook efficiently, and dedicate your saved time to what matters most.

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Butter Pound Cake

This butter pound cake has a strong aroma of butter. Mind you, it's so addictively delicious. Its simplicity, without any fancy decoration, with the golden brown crust, buttery taste and rich texture, totally wins my heart.

Butter pound cake is my favourite childhood dessert. I remember how the strong aroma of butter made this traditional cake so addictive to me, feeling like never having enough of it.

Its simplicity, without any fancy decoration, with the golden brown crust, buttery taste and rich texture, totally wins my heart. You can’t stop eating after tasting the first slice. Mind you, if you’re on diet, make sure you can share with some other friends, or bring it along to any parties as finger food.

One slice of the butter pound cake, with a cup of tea or coffee, brings me enough enjoyment with no regrets.

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Pan Fried Fish Fillet (Hong Kong Style)

The fish fillet is pan fried perfectly and the sauce is just balanced. It is suitable for kids and seniors, and meat lovers of course, excellent with hot steamed rice.

This is one of my favourite homey dishes often cooked by my mother. I always feel that she’s the best in cooking it.

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Steamed Minced Pork with Preserved Mustard Greens

This steamed ground pork dish is a very popular homey dish in Chinese cooking that I grew up with. It’s one of my childhood favourite dishes throughout the year. This dish goes really well with a bowl of steamed rice and any Chinese vegetables.

Preserved mustard greens (called mui coi 梅菜 in Cantonese) don’t look appetizing before cooking. But it’s really tasty and perfectly pairing with meat. This dish can be prepared well ahead and chilled in your fridge. When you're ready, simply steam it in a wok.

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