Purple Sweet Potato Dumpling (Tang Yuan)

 18 Responses »
Jan 192012
 
Purple Sweet Potato Dumpling (Tang Yuan)

Sweet rice dumplings, or Tang Yuan, is a traditional Chinese sweet dessert that is similar to the Japanese mochi in appearance. Like mochi, Tang Yuan is made out of glutinous rice flour and water to form a smooth al-dente dough which is rolled into round balls. While mochi is typically served dry, Tang Yuan is always served moist with a sweet gingery syrup. Tang Yuan is also never filled with ice cream like some versions of mochi. Instead, Tang Yuan is typically filled with a sweet delectable [Read More ...]

Double Steamed Asian Pear Almond Dessert Soup

 11 Responses »
Jan 092012
 
Double Steamed Asian Pear Almond Dessert Soup

This is a delicious classic double steamed Chinese dessert I love. It has a delicate sweetness that is lightly contrasted with a smooth gingery zing that sits over a lovely mellow tone of almond fragrance and fresh pears. This dessert is good year round but especially suitable for the cold dry autumn and winter seasons. This dessert soup nourishes and moisturizes the lungs and skin. It helps to quench thirst and expel phlegm. This dessert can be [Read More...]

Revitalizing Dong Quai and Red Date Tea

 13 Responses »
Dec 022011
 
Revitalizing Dong Quai and Red Date Tea

This revitalizing Dong Quai and Red Date tea is a traditional recipe in Chinese food therapy. Although typically drank by women, it is consumed by men also. For women, this tea has been used for centuries to replenish the blood supply after a menstruation cycle or child birth. It is also used by Chinese women to relieve gynecological ailments, or menopausal symptoms. This recipe is so easy to make, with 3 simple steps that anyone can do at home [Read More ...]

Longan and Dried Figs Pork Soup

 8 Responses »
Nov 282011
 
Longan and Dried Figs Pork Soup

For those who celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you had a warm and wonderful holiday weekend! I enjoyed my time off with my husband eating and relaxing.  We also took a day hike at Mountain Diablo.  From the top of the summit there, at about 3,900 ft above sea level, we can see all the way to the [Read More...]

Hawthorn Berry Honey Tea

 5 Responses »
Jul 162011
 
Hawthorn Berry Honey Tea

  This tea tastes great.  In fact, it tastes a bit like iced tea but with a hint of sweet hawthorn fragrance when served cool.  This tea is so refreshing and aperitive.  I love a cup of this tea after a heavy meal has been had.  This is because hawthorn is known to aid in digestion and support [Read More...]

Watercress Tofu Dried Oyster Soup

 No Responses »
May 122011
 
Watercress Tofu Dried Oyster Soup

With a cancer-fighting and superfood reputation long associated to its name, the small leafy watercress sure do pack an abundance of antioxidants, minerals, and phytochemicals to deliver on those health functions. Watercress also provides a power punch of vitamin A, C, E and K, calcium, iron, and potassium.  The brimming essential nutrients offered by this little plant [Read More...]

Snow Fungus Papaya Almond Milk Dessert

 3 Responses »
Apr 172011
 
Snow Fungus Papaya Almond Milk Dessert

This is a heavenly and unbelievably refreshing papaya and milk dessert soup, with the light fragrance and taste of almonds. It is lightly-sweetened, yet so delicious and thirst-quenching that this cold dessert is just perfect on a hot day. This dessert has moisturizing and skin-beautifying functions. This soup is also remarkably easy and inexpensive to make.

Daikon Tofu Dried Oyster Pork Soup

 No Responses »
Apr 102011
 
Daikon Tofu Dried Oyster Pork Soup

With Spring already here, the winter root vegetables and squashes are at a tail end of their seasonality.  And one of my favorite winter vegetables, daikon, will soon disappear in the supermarkets until the next winter season.  So while I can still find them, I decided to purchase some and make my last daikon soup until the [Read More...]

Mixed Beans Potato Vegetable Soup

 1 Response »
Mar 232011
 
Mixed Beans Potato Vegetable Soup

  My husband and I were at our local farmer’s market today.  And we (ok, more like me) indulged on a shopping spree of irresistibly fresh, colorful, and sweet-smelling organic seasonal fruits and vegetables.  The produce at the market were so fresh.  The vegetable leaves were thick and of a deep vibrant green.  They looked so good [Read More...]

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