Black Sesame Mochi (芝麻麻糬)

Ever realized that black sesame mochi is a party pleaser? Yes, we're just like Japanese people, very fond of mochi. 

This was the snack I brought to a family gathering on weekend. I’ve just got a packet of pure black sesame powder in my pantry. It’s good to make some aromatic, delicious mochi with it and share with my friends.

Black sesame powder has the same health benefits as seeds, lowers cholesterol levels and enhances digestions as it contains high fiber content. Chinese people believe that black sesame powder also can prevent black hair from turning into grey too soon.

For myself, I like the aroma of black sesame seeds and powder. It can’t be easier to make this mochi snack. You can quickly cook the mochi dough in a microwave oven, then get it coated with some black sesame powder. There you go. This snack was a big hit in our gathering. Its aroma, chewy texture and taste are the attractiveness.

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Red Dates and Egg Tea

Ever heard or tried this red date tea? This is a kind of Chinese traditional herbal soup. Chinese believes that red dates (紅棗) are very good for women’s health. Oh, well, pardon me. If you’re a male, skip this recipe, or pass it to your female friends.

Red dates contain much iron that can help women get speedy recovery from delivery and menstruation. Apart from the said medical effects, red dates also can help improve skin become tender and smooth.

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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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Wood Ear and Red Date Soup

This wood ear and red date soup is suitable for women in the first month after childbirth, served as confinement food. Nevertheless, it’s good for anyone, female or male adults in the family for its nutrients.

Wood ear is widely used in Chinese cuisine as it helps to reduce blood pressure, clear away cholesterol, thus improve blood circulation. Chinese people also name it as “blood vessel cleaner”. Wood ear contains rich protein and vitamin B, but low in calories.

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Braised Chicken Wings with Potatoes

If you’ve lived in Hong Kong for a while, you would’ve known this dish, Braised Chicken Wings with Potatoes, or tasted it before. It’s so homey and tasty dish.

I miss this braised chicken wing dish so much. If you’ve lived in Hong Kong for a while, you would’ve known this dish or tasted it before. It’s so homey and tasty.

Oftentimes, my mum used to chop the wings into halves when she cooked this dish. I just love every bit of it and don’t want to waste every drop of the sauce, so I mixed it with my bowl of rice.

This dish is so easy to make. There is a tricky point though. The potatoes could become quite mushy after braising. Chefs in Chinese restaurants will deep fry potatoes briefly beforehand in order to keep the shape.

In home cooking, we opt for using lesser oil if possible. How to go about it then? I’d share a simple tip below the recipe. If you have any other methods, you’re welcome to share in the comments.

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Cake Wrapped in Paper (Hong Kong Cupcakes)

I used to go to an old café with my father to have afternoon tea when I was a little kid. The café was very cozy and would sell freshly baked cakes and breads around 3 to 4pm. Although the café was not big, their cakes baked in paper (纸包蛋糕) was very popular that attracted many customers. A long queue would line up in front of the entrance of the café.

Actually, cakes baked in paper are very popular in Hong Kong. You can easily get them from many bakery shops there.

If you have a chance to travel to Hong Kong, I recommend you to have a go for it. You won’t be disappointed except you buy the not-the-good ones. I guess you can’t find them anywhere else except in Hong Kong. Or you can bake some for yourself or your family at home.

See, the texture of the cake is very light and fluffy. It's very fragrant too.

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Chrysanthemum Tea with Goji and Longan (菊花杞子龍眼茶)

This Chinese tea, handed down from my mum, can help promote eye health. If browsing computer or reading a book for a while, we might feel our eyes itchy or dry.

This Chinese tea, handed down from my mum, can help promote eye health.

If browsing computer or reading a book for a while, we might feel our eyes itchy or dry. Sometimes when we work in an air-conditioned room for too long, our eyes also get dried as a result that our vision becomes not as sharp as it should be.

I often make this tea once or twice a week for prevention.

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