la fleur au Cacao....

Life is merrier with whole grains....Whole Grain Fig and Raspberry Bars~!

2011-11-07T22:26:00.005-05:00

My fellow nutrition students have inspired this recipe with a discussion on whole grains and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Please check out the Whole Grain Council for more information on the health benefits of whole grains, and how to identify the "TRUE" whole grain products!http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org/ Whole Grain Fig and Raspberry Barmakes 16 bar cookies1 cup whole grain

Get "nutted" up for the cool breeze of Autumn....Black Sesame Cupcakes with Ginger Glaze and Toasted Coconut Flakes~!

2011-09-15T22:26:00.007-04:00

To some, black sesame and sweets might be an odd pair, but it is truly a flavour that is close to many Asian's hearts..especially during those unexpectedly windy Autumn evenings, there is nothing better than a bowl of lusciously fragrant black sesame soup that would send comforting warmth from within..~ Black Sesame Cupcakes with Ginger Glaze and Toasted Coconut Flakes ~makes 12Ingredients3/4 cup

A forbidden crime for an enthusiastic cook..Exploring the "attractiveness" of frozen entree!

2011-08-25T21:02:00.006-04:00

It is almost "sinful" to admit that I have opted in to try something frozen and pre-made for my dinner, but with the constant expansion of such complex concotions, I couldn't tame my growing curiosity.. As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I tried the new Birds Eye Voila Garlic Shrimp pasta, and it was a decent surprise. Having the shrimp frozen in their raw state kept them from being

Infuse a little fragrance into a ganache tart for celebration....Saffron Ganache Tarte with caramelized nuts!

2011-08-22T21:14:00.008-04:00

A friend's graduation/summer celebrations always deserve some extra jazz! Among those glistening jewels of caramelized hazelnuts and pecans that dressed a tart with flaky buttery crust, your friends will be dazzled by a molten rich ganache that excites your olfactory nerves with lingering perfume. ~ Saffron Ganache Tarte with caramelized nuts ~ Ingredients: Pre-baked homemade French pate

Inspired by a friend's favourite snack..Honey Chèvre Ice Cream with Sesame....

2011-08-17T23:36:00.008-04:00

Crumbly, creamy with an attractive tangy palette, Chèvre has made frequent appearances my summer dishes. With this heavenly versatile fromage, my dear friend created her favourite snack for a twins baby shower..Chèvre ornamented with golden honey and fragrant toasted walnuts. With the delicate balance between the fragrant sweetness of honey and the unique tartness of mature Chèvre that

The perfect "Geraish" brought together friendships and great conversations....

2011-08-15T22:31:00.005-04:00

There is certainly no questions that great friendship and conversation can be built upon a delightful meal, but with items made by one with such true passion, this event deserves an album documentation =) Geraish '11 / Ge•raish / قريش / Brunch! Apart from the modern chic plating, each of the items was a perfect marriage of ethnic spices on a Western canvas. From falafel sliders to cinnamon

Recipe: Maple Pecan Coffee Cake

2011-08-01T22:36:00.004-04:00

Recipe for the "failed" attempt of Maple Pecan Coffee Cake as promised, though rather belated....Makes 8-10 servingsIngredients: For the Cake Batter: 1/2 cup (1 stick/4 oz/113g) butter 8 oz cream cheese 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup whole milk For Maple Topping: 1/2 cup

A failed attempt came with a hidden surprise....

2011-07-09T17:20:00.006-04:00

There is nothing better than to spend a lazy Saturday "late" morning in a breezy kitchen, executing a new coffee cake recipe! But with the wrong baking pan in hand, and a cake that escaped the oven mimicking the depression of a volcano, I was pleasantly surprised that the fluffy centre of this failed attempt has selfishly abducted the identity of the supposedly crusty surface, and served as its

The delicate bouquet of Vouvray gives magic to a simple poached pear custard tart....

2011-04-15T22:59:00.007-04:00

I guess infusing my favourite beverages with desserts has given me inspirations! Although Earl Grey still tops the exclusive list, the complex yet delicate bouquet of Vouvray, and the high acidity from Chenin Blanc makes it the perfect complement for the luscious yet velvety Anjou pears. Located in the Touraine district of France's Loire Valley, this Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) is

Squash for all seasons! A raw/Asian take on the golden, lucious, butternut squash....

2011-01-11T21:53:00.006-05:00

Hearty yet refreshing seems to be an odd flavour combination, but with the humble butternut squash in its most simplistic state, Mark Bittman has successfully translated this flavour profile with zero stove/oven time!As this golden fleshed squash made its rare entry into my kitchen, I timidly approached with a vegetable peeler. Their first tough encounter gave me doubts on the prospects of this

A Little Omega-3 to Celebrate the First Home-cooked Meal of the Palindromic 2011....

2011-01-02T21:10:00.005-05:00

In celebrating the arrival of the palindromic 2011, I have decided to give myself an omega-3 boost by making a Thai Tom Yum sesame-crusted Ahi tuna, with stir-fried napa. No supplements involved! I don't think there is a greater pleasure to nurture both your taste buds and your body than a simple and savoury dish..the keys to the simple part are a non-stick, and sesame seeds!..leaving the

The Vietnamese Xoi Chien Phong..a fried "sesame ball" with one BOLD statement~!

2010-11-25T11:32:00.011-05:00

From the north-eastern corner of China, to the southern parts of Canton, it was the Vietnamese version of the fried rice balls (known to most as sesame balls) that challenged the stretch of my irises for my macula to absorb it all! Speaking of indulgence during Thanksgiving, the fried sesame balls are the Asian version with a festive origin, though similar to the perfectly roasted turkey, these

The Thread of Luster Gold....Foi Thong showcases the humble duck egg....

2010-11-22T21:42:00.007-05:00

Mesmerised by the gleaming golden yarns, accompanied with the intense scent from the richness of duck egg yolks, my friend Lin has expanded my scope in Thai desserts, and the uniqueness in texture tempted me to explore further..a dessert originated from Portugal that brings prosperity and happiness..Foi thong means gold fibres, and these miniature "skeins" of delicacies are the perfect

Seeking an unpretentious bowl of happiness....

2010-09-28T22:04:00.007-04:00

With a sudden drop of 30 degrees on the thermostat, despite all the required readings at hand, my subconscious mind helplessly drifted towards the bowls after bowls of savoury broths that never failed to impress at each meal I dined in Vietnam..under the immense heat of the summer months. To those who have traveled to this unique paradise, Nguyen Thi Thanh at 23 Hoang Sa shouldn't sound foreign.

The Cream of the Crop Shimmering Like a Vivid Blue Sapphire....The Royal Blue Potato~!

2010-06-11T20:45:00.012-04:00

Aside from the greens, urge your peers to add-on their blues!All Blue potatoes are probably the most direct descendant of potatoes found almost 10,000 years ago high in the Peruvian Andes mountains, and likely smuggled into the United States from Peru in a diplomatic pouch around 1957, delivered to Sylvan Ambrose Hart who cultivated them. The blue potato is also proving a hit across Ireland since

Glam-up the traditional Rice Krispie Treat with Earl Grey for a Fetus Fiesta~!

2010-04-18T23:06:00.006-04:00

a.k.a., a gender-friendly Baby Shower that just won the Best Title Award!As the time runs short, I allowed my favourite flavour and aroma to guide through a mysterious venture, giving me the inspiration to dress up an ordinary treat in a savoury couture.~ Earl Grey Rice Krispie Treat ~3 tbs Unsalted butter10 oz package Miniture marshmallow6 cups Cocoa Rice KrispieEarl Grey Ganache - 4 Earl

Delicacies for Chinese New Year Round Three - The Overloaded Taro Cake~!

2010-02-26T23:06:00.004-05:00

This recipe is dedicated to my family, and to anyone who is as obsessed with this purple root as we are! Just make sure you do not overload with this fragrant yet zesty tasting taro, which turns the cake into a more croquet like consistency, but still mouthwatering.For those who might be interested in reading further on this amazing root, please check out my previous post:"Macaron de la divinité

Celebrate a decade of absence with my grandmother's famous Chinese Daikon Cake!

2010-02-18T21:46:00.011-05:00

I often wondered what Chinese New Year is like for visitors in Hong Kong. This festival is a time for families to reunite, not only to welcome in the new lunar year, but also to feast together with home-prepared meals. Meanwhile, as the expat population flies to places like Bali or Thailand for the extended national holiday, the trains to the rural New Territories would be overflowing, while the

The Sticky-Sweet New Year Cake....it was love at first bite!

2010-02-11T22:06:00.004-05:00

From an elaborate two-day production to the lightning-fast microwave approach, the methods of preparing Nian Gao may have changed across generations of the Chinese families, but the sticky-sweet New Year's cake is still a savory culinary project within my household, embracing my grandmother's recipe.Nian Gao, or Chinese New Year’s cake, is sweet and sticky and represents family cohesion and

Celebrating Japanese New Year....le Macaron de Shōgatsu!

2010-01-20T21:12:00.005-05:00

This article is part of "The Macaron Series"http://lafleuraucacao.blogspot.com/2009/10/in-mood-for-loveand-macaronthe-macaron.htmlAs we count down along with the crystal ball in NYC, January 1st is also considered by most Japanese to be one of the most important annual festivals and has been celebrated for centuries with its own unique customs. After an evening a festivities, toasts with

Giving the gluten-free grain "keen-wah" an Asian flare....Chinese Five Spice Quinoa Pilaf!

2010-01-16T23:16:00.006-05:00

Apart from the ambiance and the company, I find that a memorable dining experience often brings a certain something unexpected. A Mediterranean sampling plate was served, as I was catching up with a friend over dinner at a local "Tavern". Apart from the usual trio of hummus (that itself was surprisingly unusual, with one carrying a green hue of edamame), I was inspired by a salad made with quinoa

Turn the deflated toasting bubbly into a refreshing dessert....Gelée de Champagne Lychee

2010-01-09T15:08:00.007-05:00

No matter how much you imbibe on New Year’s Eve, chances are you’ll have some already-opened bubbly still left over on the morning, or the week after.While mimosas, bellinis and other champagne cocktails are always an option on New Year’s Day, a more healthier method can utilise the corked bubbly in creative home cooking. Here I combine one of my favourite tropical fruits to create this

The Yulelog of Milano, Italy....the Crowd Pleasing Panettone and the creation of Été Trifle!

2010-01-02T19:26:00.007-05:00

All day long, a flow of Milanese and tourists has streamed in to buy the dome-shaped, fluffy cake studded with raisins and candied citrus peel, Christmas would not be the same without star on the Italian Christmas table, the Panettone. The first signs of Christmas in Milan are the stacks of trapezoidal boxes, wrapped in blue, cream, white, gold and beige, that crowd the aisles and display windows

A Christmas cookie exchange sparked the integration of my favourite ingredients....Earl Grey Infused Dark Chocolate Cookie!

2009-12-29T22:24:00.006-05:00

~ Earl Grey Infused Dark Chocolate Cookie ~Since I work at a nutrition research laboratory, to make these cookies just a tad healthier, grapeseed oil is used.This recipe is an extension to a recent article on Earl Grey:"Earl Grey....from an obsession to a devotion"Makes 2 dozen cookies135g grapeseed oil 100g light brown sugar 150g granulated sugar 55g unsweetened cacao 2 Earl Grey tea bags,

A spicy cheesecake for a white Christmas with friends....

2009-12-25T20:48:00.007-05:00

~ Spicy Kabocha Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust ~This recipe is an extention to a previous article on Kabocha."Giving Thanks with Kabocha....the Japanese Pumpkin...."Crust:1 3/4 cups ginger snap crust1 stick melted salted butter Filling:500g cream cheese, at room temperature100g mascarpone cheese, at room temperature 1 cup roasted Kabocha, pureed 4 eggs~2/3 cup sugar, depending on the