I first had a salad like this at a restaurant a while back, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Light, fresh, that sweet and savoury balance, and it actually felt satisfying without that heavy after-feeling. So I went home and tried to recreate it. I used what I had in the fridge, added a…
Category: Party and Entertaining
A Sweet Summer in Hakodate
This summer we had the chance to visit Hakodate, and it turned out to be such a memorable trip for so many reasons. One of the best parts was getting to try Snaffles cheesecake again! Twelve years ago, I had my first taste of Japanese cheesecake from Snaffles and I instantly fell in love. There’s…
Hearty Eats: Braised Short Rib Ragù
Braised short ribs might just be one of my all-time favourite comfort meals. They’re rich, hearty, and exactly what you want on a cozy night in. What I love most is that while they feel fancy, the process is actually really simple. You just let them slow-cook on the stove or in the oven, and…
Baked Alaska: A Timeless Classic Dessert
The first time I tasted Baked Alaska was at a restaurant in Hong Kong, and I was hooked instantly. Even though I’ve loved it for a long time, I hadn’t actually tried making it myself until recently. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I thought it would be a fun surprise for my husband and…
Smashed Potato Bites
Who can resist crispy, creamy smashed potato bites? They are a go-to snack or appetizer in our house, and my kids never get tired of them. You get that golden, crispy outside with a soft, fluffy centre, and then you can top them with whatever you’re craving. My sons are absolutely obsessed with them. The…
Panko Breaded Cauliflower Bites
I find myself reaching for recipes like this on the days when I want something satisfying and healthy but don’t have the energy for anything complicated. These cauliflower bites are just crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and really easy to throw together. You can swap out the seasonings or the dips depending on…
The Perfect Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls
There’s something about the smell of fresh bread baking that just feels comforting, especially when it’s a batch of these pull-apart dinner rolls. I’ve been baking for years now, and this is one of those recipes I’ve come back to again and again. I’ve tweaked it over time, mostly just figuring out what works best…
The World of Mochi Donuts
Mochi donuts are something special, my kids are totally in love with them. They have that chewy texture that’s a bit different from a regular donut, especially the ones shaped into that “pon de ring” style. It’s somewhere between a soft donut and something a little more elastic, like mochi, which is what makes them…
Warmth and Cheer for All
When the weather starts to cool down, a warm drink just hits differently. Mulled wine is one of those classics, spiced, comforting, and easy to come back to on colder nights. It’s usually something you think of around the holidays, but the flavours themselves are simple and familiar, things like cinnamon, citrus, and cloves. If…
Celebrating Dongzhi: Tang Yuan and Togetherness
Winter tends to bring more than just colder weather. It’s also the season where gatherings, traditions, comfort foods, and celebrations start filling up the calendar. The Winter Solstice, usually falling around December 21st or 22nd, marks the longest night of the year. After that point, the days slowly begin getting longer again. One celebration connected…
Mayak Eggs (Korean Marinated Eggs)
Mayak eggs, also known as Korean marinated eggs, are one of my favourite things to make. They’re super easy to whip up, making them my go-to for quick meals, especially in the mornings when the clock is not on my side. With basic ingredients and a tasty marinade, these eggs turn out soft and jammy….
Your Iced Coffee, But Better
One evening at a local restaurant, we were casually looking through the menu when something caught my eye under the drinks section: Espresso Rock. Now, I’m definitely not a coffee expert, but I was immediately curious. My husband saw my face, knew I’d want to try it, and ordered it so we could share. And…
Little Toasty Treats
There’s something about bite-sized snacks that just works. My kids can’t get enough of these little ones, crispy on the outside, soft inside. They’re the kind of thing that disappears fast. They’re nice for a slow Sunday morning or just when everyone’s hanging out in the kitchen. Simple, good, and honestly pretty hard to stop…
Mango Chutney
If you’ve never made your own mango chutney, you might be surprised by how much better it is than the store-bought jars. It’s a great condiment to have on hand because it adds that perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and a little bit of heat to so many different meals. Plus, when you make it…
Spice Up Your Pesto Game
I love that feeling of stepping into the kitchen with fresh ingredients and a bit of curiosity. For me, it’s not just about cooking—it’s about experimenting with new flavours and creating something genuinely tasty. Lately, I’ve been having fun trying out different ingredient combinations. I’ve always liked traditional pesto, but since my basil garden is…