Spicy Green Papaya Salad (with a small mortar & pestle)
Papaya salad is a no-brainer to order at any Thai restaurant. But to make it? No way, I would never achieve the same complex flavour and texture as the restos. Although I’m not 100% there, I’m satisfied to be 80% there with this recipe! To make it even better, I would learn how…
Easy Vegetable Samosas (using Egg Roll Wrappers)
Last week, I made cha gio (Vietnamese fried rice paper rolls), and picked up a package of egg roll wrappers on that same grocery trip as a back-up should the rice paper rolls go wrong. Fortunately, the cha gio turned out flawlessly! And unfortunately, the egg roll wrappers brand that I used (Wing’s)…
Vietnamese Tomato & Fish Soup with Pickled Mustard Greens
This soup is a result of attempting to satisfy a nostalgic home-style Vietnamese soup that my dad would make growing up (minus the fish). For the protein, it’d instead be pork spare ribs, but I’m using frozen fish for this recipe. With every meal at home, we would have a soup, protein and…
Flashfood Review & Tips: Save 50% on Groceries
I’m all about saving money and reducing food waste anywhere I can. Groceries is a great place to start as it’s the easiest cost to control. By selling food at 50% off the retail price through Flashfood, grocers are able to recover costs, and significantly reduce their carbon footprint. Definitely a win-win-win situation…
Mini Scotch Eggs (with Quail Eggs)
Here’s my take on this gastropub fave! There’s just something special about scotch eggs, and the layers of delicious contrast. Battered with breading and wrapped in sausage – the flavor contrast biting into the crisp breading, sausage and pop of egg is incredible. I created these with quail eggs, and they’re perfect two-biters….
Crispy Rice Paper Rolls (Cha Gio)
Meet my favourite Vietnamese appetizer that I never order. Cha gio comes in either a rice paper wrapper, or more commonly a yellow egg wrapper. The rice paper wrapper is far superior in my books. With a fry, you get that chew, and light crisp, and all the filling. You can make these rolls to your preference: all vegetarian, without taro, or a combo of everything, like I have!
Vegetable Chow Mein Noodles (No Wok Needed!)
The flavours in this chow mein recipe comes close to one of my favourites. The best chow mein I’ve tasted is from Sam’s Congee or that one Soy Bean place in Heritage Court (now a memory). The portion size from both restaurants are very small. And notice how at both places, they have…
Easy Scallion Pancake Hack (with Wonton Wrappers) + Dipping Sauce
Flaky, oily, salty golden crusted scallion pancakes, aka cong you bing (葱油饼). I love ordering these savoury green onion pancakes at my favourite dumpling spot in town, and taking bites between slurps of juicy, dumplings. I’ve tried to replicate this dish at home with flour & water plenty of times, but with no…
The Crispiest Vietnamese Crepe (Bánh Xèo)
Another childhood favourite! Sizzling Vietnamese crepes, aka Banh Xeo. The best crepes are crispy on the outside, and accompanied with loads of fresh vegetables. These crepes are filled with pork belly, shrimp, bean sprouts and, at times, mung bean, every bite is a treat. It’s always served with fresh, crunchy lettuce, as well…
Shrimp & Beef Dumplings
I stopped having expectations on taste when making dumplings a while go. Often times, it’s not juicy enough or the wrapper is just not right. Recently, I connected the similarities of my favourite Chinese dumpling: bites of juicy shrimp, a soft outer dumpling wrapper and a savoury filling (with beef & shrimp). I’ve…
