Saturday, March 28, 2020

Chả Lụa

Chả Lụa | Steamed Pork Roll
Perfect food for current times when we need to #stayathome. This freezes well raw and steam when ready to eat.

Make a sandwich, eat with rice and soy sauce, as a snack, with banh cuon, which is what I’m making tomorrow!

2.5 lbs double minced pork butt, OR
- Pork tenderloin + 4 tbsp avocado oil*
1 tsp mushroom seasoning**
1 tsp baking powder
20g potato starch
20g tapioca starch
1/2 cup cold water
2 tsp sea salt
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp sugar
1-2 tbsp black peppercorns, roughly cracked (optional to taste)

*Healthier alternative and you must add oil. Avocado is the healthiest neutral tasting oil that won’t interfere with the Viet seasonings.
**Add a little more salt if omitting. Boil a small sample and adjust seasoning before packing.

Rolls are 200g each

Thickening agent:
Potato starch is more commonly used, but if you want an even chewier texture then tapioca starch is an acceptable substitute. Note: if you’re using very lean meat, it will already result in a firmer roll so tapioca will only make it firmer.

Prepare slurry:
In a small bowl, mix baking powder, potato starch and very cold water. Set aside.

Prepare meat:
Assemble minced pork loosely in a freezer bag and place in the freezer for minimum of 2-3 hours. Make sure it is spread out loosely in a thin layer and not a block. It should be at least 1/3 frozen before attempting to break into small pieces and mix. The deep cold is necessary to help the pork become elastic. If it’s not cold enough, the mixing will warm up the pork. It won’t become sticky and will not succeed. It doesn’t need to be frozen as some tutorials may tell you because it’s just harder on your hands and equipment with cutting up then beating frozen pieces. You can use a food processor or strong KitchenAid stand mixer. I recommend leaving 1 quart head room for your size KA to avoid splatter. For example, 1kg (2.2 lbs) meat for a 5 quart should be fine.

Stand mixer method:
Start at speed 2 to break up the icy pieces and blend them with the softer pieces not yet frozen. Stop mixing when the frozen meat is incorporated to add the seasonings and slurry mixture. Increase speed gradually to 6 then 8. If there’s splatter then keep it at 6. Beat for 15 minutes or longer until the meat is sticky on the sidewalls and very pasty.

Seasoning:
Balanced seasoning and texture is a personal preference. Sub with more or less fish sauce and salt until you boil a small sample. For however more or less fish sauce you decide on, adjust salt accordingly based on 1 tbsp fish sauce to 1 tsp salt. For example 3 tbsp fish sauce then 1 tsp salt. Whatever your choice, adjust seasoning one last time then mix well before packing.

Packaging:
Banana leaves are sold in the frozen section. Clean well then place on plastic wrap with the greener side up so it is in contact with the pork. Your choice on completely covering in banana leaves and twine. Or Saran Wrap with banana leaves down the center leaving the ends open. The plastic wrap will seal the ends when they’re twisted close. Cover in foil wrap to steam.

Cooking:
Steam for 30 minutes if fresh or add 10 minutes if frozen. Place loosely and not cramped together.

Monday, August 21, 2017

Coconut Pandan Pound Cake


Coconut Pandan Pound Cake

Preheat oven to 325
Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper

Sift dry ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

In a measuring cup, mix together:
1/2 tsp Pandan extract/paste
3/4 cup coconut milk

Remaining Ingredients
1 stick softened butter (1/2 cup)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

In a stand mixer or large bowl with an electric hand mixer, cream together 1 stick of softened butter with 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Start slow and gradually use medium speed. Make sure to scrape the bowl down occasionally to evenly combine.

Beat in 2 eggs, one at a time along with the vanilla extract until combined.

Slowly add in the sifted flour mixture. Mix on medium speed for a few minutes until combined and batter is light and fluffy. Make sure to scrape down sides. Stream in the coconut milk/pandan mixture until well combined with the batter. Mix on medium speed for another minute. Avoid overmixing.

Pour into loaf pan (batter should be light and airy) and bake at 325 for 1 hour. Test for doneness with a toothpick and cool completely before slicing.

The texture is super light and fluffy. The taste is buttery and coconuty, with a hint of pandan.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Paper flower back drop and some onsies

Hi everyone,

Just want to share with you my recent projects.  I've started doing giant paper flowers and I have to say I'm obsessed. Here are some of the ones I've done. I'm also selling these so if you're interested please let me know.

I also did a quick onsies set for a good friend of mine. Those things are addicting to make too. :)

Thanks for stopping by.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Wedding bouquets

These are my pride and joy. I finally finished a few bridal bouquets and I'm
Happy how they turned out. A lot of the flowers were cut from my cameo and some files I purchased on there but some were punched out and died cut. I hope you like them. I have a few posted on ebay so If you're Interested please email me. Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Handmade flowers from 100% Recycled paper

Hi everyone,

I am excited to share with you some flowers I made with 100% Recycled paper. As you can see I made the papers myself and I couldn't believe how easy it is to recycle. I love the texture it gives to my flowers and how thick the paper turns out. Hope you like them as well.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Art dress and dress forms

Hello everyone. 

I finally got my new craftroom together after we had our place flooded due to pipe broken. I also have had some time to craft again, it was way too long. The things that got me started again was dress forms. I've always been obsessed with dress forms of any kind but mostly shabby chic ones. Below are some that I came up with, I hope you like them. The hot pink one is a pin cushion which I love using. You can view a video of them here as well. 









Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Peonies and a card share


Hi everyone,

I hope you're having a good Fall season. I have been super busy so I haven't crafted in a while. But I'm always itching with ideas. I made these peonies recently and I'm addicted to them. 

I also made a card for a customer of mine, Marcey. I have met up with her and so I wanted to make her a card for being a return customer. I used a file from BirdsCards and cut it out with my cameo. Love her designs you should check her out. Anyhow hope you like the card.