Crispy banana fritters (Chuoi chien)

Banana fritter or fried banana (Chuoi chien) has always been one of my many childhood favorite snacks. It reminds me of my childhood growing up in Vietnam where simple, inexpensive snacks like this tastes so divined. I remember these snacks`were sold ubiquitously everywhere, in the alley around the neighborhood, at an outdoor market or on the curbside in front of many schools. 
The steamy, hot fried banana fresh out of the oil quickly wrapped in banana leave was something that always put a big smile on my face. The crunchiness of the outside fritter complements perfectly the sweet and soft banana inside. Along with these banana fritters, sweet potato fritters were also popular among the kids. The same batter can also be used to make these sweet potato fritters, just substitute sweet potato yam for bananas. The secret to the long lasting crunchiness lies in the double deep frying method where the banana fritter is fried to merely brown, then dipped in the batter and re-fried again until golden brown or to the desired crunchiness. Try it and you won't be disappointed! 

Lotus seed Moon cakes (Banh Trung Thu nhan hat sen)

Moon festival is tonight, the moon is shining bright and rising high up above. The boys are having fun with their battery operated lanterns although I still prefer the traditional handmade lanterns with candles that I used to play as a kid. The air is getting chillier tonight signalling the change in weather. Autumn is here finally! I love the Fall when the weather is cooling down but not too cold yet. Leaves are turning colors and starting to fall signifying the harvesting season is on its way. 
To the Vietnamese, Moon Festival is also a children Festival where the kids get to play with colorful, animal shaped lanterns while enjoying the sweet treat moon cakes.  Speaking of moon cakes, this is my third year making them. Although I don't eat much of them, I love making these to give out to friends and family. The process is quite complicated and very time consuming. I do suggest to set some dedicated time aside if you decide to make them since it could take a whole day if not more to prepare them.  But when you sit down with a slice of homemade moon cake and a cup of tea to enjoy the bright, shinning moon in a breezy air night, it's all worth it.

Apple tartlets

The holiday is really over now, everything is back to its normal routine. My oldest is back to school today, my husband is at work and I am at home with my little boy. There is so much to be done at home, therefore, even it is my day off, I still can't really relax. My whole morning was devoted to house cleaning and doing laundry. I guess I am the type of person who can not stay still, so after all that house chores, instead of relaxing in bed watching my favorite drama, I spent my afternoon baking desserts. 

Apple tartlet is one of the sweet, simple treat that I have bookmarked for quite sometime now, but haven't gotten around to make it until now. When I saw a puff pastry box in the freezer and a few apples left in my fridge, I knew I gotta make this easy and simple, yet delicious sweet for my oldest son. He was so excited when I told him that I will make the apple tartlets for him for dessert. He kept on asking me when it will be done and waited impatiently by the kitchen oven. I absolutely love the aromatic smell of the baked cinnamon and apple tart filled in my kitchen. This delightful sweet takes no time at all and super easy to make. So the next time you are in a supermarket, grab a box of puff pastry, a couple apples and I guarantee you would have a lovely dessert for dinner that night.

Pumpkin Rolls

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas celebration and a great start for the New Year! The holiday season is over, but that does not mean we can't have these lovely pumpkin rolls for dessert to seal a great dinner meal any other time of the year. 

I made these pumpkin rolls before Christmas, and I apologize for being too busy to post these up in a timely manner for everyone to try. If you are barely started on your New Year resolution, don't worry, just bookmark this recipe and give it a try at the end of the year (or any other time that your taste buds crave for this scrumptious sweet).

I am, personally, not a big fan of pumpkin desserts, but when I first tasted a piece of this delicious cake made by my coworker, I couldn't believe that it was made with pumpkin. The pumpkin essence is very subtle while the creamy texture of the cream cheese filling in combination with the crunchy toasted walnuts gives this classic cake roll a delightful surprise of flavor. I couldn't help but had two servings one after another and begged my coworker for the recipe immediately after that. I hope you all will give it a try on the next holiday season and enjoy it as much as I do.

Roasted strawberry and banana ice cream

The weather is still very warm although it is already September and Fall is just right around the corner. I hope everyone enjoyed the back to school shopping with your children and able squeezed one of the very last summer vacation in before all the chaos started.  As for me, I have been so busy with my son's school homework and activities that I got absolutely no time left for anything else.

With the heat still on full throttle and the craziness of busy parent lives about to start, I hope this strawberry and banana ice cream will help to cool down the heat and sooth your palate in these last summer days. And since strawberry is a summery fruit, it is only fitting to say good bye to summer with this yummy and fruity strawberry ice cream.

Mexican Churros

I'm so excited to announce that I have just found my new favorite dessert! Actually they are my two boys' favorite snack and now they are mine too. I never thought I would make churros some day until ... today! I mean I have eaten churros many times before, but I never really fantasized or thought that they are one day my favorite snack. Mostly, the reason being the chewy texture that sometimes makes my teeth overwork for just a piece of sweet treat. However, my boys they just love this sweet snack unconditionally. 

Yesterday, we spent our day at the water park and my husband got the boys some churros for snack. My oldest son didn't eat his because he was busy having fun with the water and slides. When it was time to leave the park, then all of a sudden he remembered the churros and wanted us to buy it for him. When we told him we gotta leave now and that they didn't have anymore, he was pouting the whole way back until I told him that I will make it for him tomorrow. 

I guess I gotta keep my promise although I have never tried to make churros before in my life. I went and searched for the recipes and this was actually the first one that I found. I'm so glad that I stayed with this one because it is so simple to make and insanely delicious. The outside is sweet and crunchy while the inside is soft, creamy and buttery (and not chewy at all). I couldn't resist myself and had two right off the first batch. They are absolutely scrumptious and addicting. These churros will definitely knock your socks off! 

Passion fruit macarons

These passion fruit flavored macarons is something that I have been wanting to try for the longest time. What hindered the process was the lack of the main ingredient, the passion fruit itself. We planted a passion fruit tree last summer, there was one sole fruit on the tree when I got it. This summer, I was so excited to see many beautiful passion fruit flowers blooming under the sun. But that was all that happened, just the flowers, never came the fruits! The flowers kept on coming and blooming, but that was all I can see. I was so disappointed not being able to see those beautiful little brown things hanging on my tree. 

Just when I thought I would never be able to accomplish my dream, then came the real things. Although these were not from my tree, but they are as real and as fresh as any passion fruits can be. Thanks to my mother-in-law who supplied me with these rare, precious fruits from her friend's garden. My impossible mission is finally accomplished.

I just love how the passion fruit flavor and fragrant play out in this little delightful dessert. The exquisite scent of passion fruits to me smells like a cross between guava and and strawberry.  Passion fruit itself is tarty and tangy in flavor with a subtle taste of sweetness. They are mostly use in gourmet baking or cooking to enhance the aromatic flavor of the desserts or dishes. Once being added, it will bring out a very pleasant, distinctive flavor to the dish.  Not only being well known for the aroma, it's also packed with tons of vitamin C, potassium and fiber. A very healthful fruit indeed!

Hopefully one day, my passion fruit tree will be able to bear some of these precious fruits for me. Until then I will have to depend on the generosity of others:).

Green tea Ice cream

How is the heat treating everyone this week? I think summer came a little late this year because it's already August and Fall will soon follow but the heat does not back down one bit. Instead, it's actually getting hotter and hotter everyday this week. Well then, let's make some sweet frozen dessert to counteract this scorching weather. 

This particular recipe is quite simple to make and the result yields a very authentic and delightful taste of green tea ice cream. The smooth, silky and creamy texture of this ice cream is just so refreshing and soothing. The intense flavor of green tea plays nicely and harmoniously in this frozen treat. 

Although green tea powder has long played an integral part in so many Asian desserts, especially in Japanese and Chinese sweet treats, this is actually my first time making a dessert with green tea. And I just love the flavor. I adore the subtle bitterness of the green tea and I think it balance out beautifully with the sugary sweetness in desserts. For some it may be an acquired taste, but as for me the flavor is just so earthy and lovely. Perhaps I could try this wonderful flavor in some other desserts later on, for now, let just indulge ourselves in this sinful frozen treat to calm the heat down. 

Langues de chat cookies (Banh luoi meo)

I hope everyone had a great weekend! As for me, it was such a busy weekend, many parties, many things to do with so little time. But it was all good that I got to see my old friend, her new baby, her family and some of her good friends this weekend. While the adults were catching up with the stories of our daily lives, the kids had a blast at their kiddy pools in the backyard. The weather was nice and warm, the food was delicious and comforting. I wish we could do this more often just for the sake of our sanity after many long tiring working weeks. 

Anyway, back to business, I've been making ice cream like a mad woman ever since the ice cream maker came to my possession. I have churned out buckets after buckets of the smooth, creamy frozen treat, but the down side is that I got left with gazillion egg whites. Of course, god forbid if anything should go to waste, so what to do with the egg whites is a tough question that I have to face with. Well, beside making more macarons, which are overflown in my fridge right now, what else could I make? Then I thought of these little French cookies called "langues de chat" that are absolutely easy to make. And in no time, I got myself some buttery and quite addicting cookies to enjoy with my afternoon tea.

Durian ice cream

This weather is just so perfect for some cool, soothing desserts such as ice creams. I was looking to buy a new ice cream maker for quite sometimes now because with my old one I had to crank it manually to really work for my sweet treat.  When my mother-in-law heard that I'm looking for one, she came like a fairy making my wish came true. She gave me her brand new ice cream machine that she bought sometimes ago but hasn't had a chance to use it. Thank you mom, now what flavor is your favorite? Durian perhaps? She loves durians and I happen to have a bag of frozen durian in my freezer that I've been saving to make some desserts with. This is just perfect timing! I get to try out my new "toy" and also try out the new recipe for this decadent and exotic treat. I love this recipe, simply because of its simplicity, where only 4 ingredients needed, and the short prepping time that it requires. The ending product is a very smooth and creamy treat, just what I need to cool down in this scorching heat.

If you are not familiar with durians, you may think why on earth would anyone want to eat such a bizarre and stinky fruit like that. But if you can pass through the intense smell of this fruit, it tastes quite good with the sweet and creamy texture. This tropical fruit is quite popular in South East Asia region. In Vietnam, they are grown abundantly and people adore this fruit through out the country. It definitely is an acquired taste delicacy, and not everyone can adapt to the strong fragrant that is sometimes described as "rotten onions".  As I adore and appreciate the existence of this fruit, my husband and kids despite it as much because of that very smell. My oldest son passed by the kitchen island where I'm prepping my stuffs and asked "Mom, what's that stinky smell?" while pinching his nose tightly with his fingers. Well I can't force them to like what I like because I know it will take a lot of courage to try it if you are not immune to the smell like me. But I hope someday, I will be able to get them try and come to like it. I know it's a bit of a long stretch of my imagination, but in the mean time, that means more for me!:)

Strawberry macarons with vanilla bean buttercream

My quest for macarons is on full gear now. I don't think I will ever get tired of making nor looking at them. These little circles got me "wrapped" around their little tiny "feet"! 

With the strawberry season at its highest in the summer, I just couldn't resist giving these macs a taste of this juicy summery fruit.

Chocolate cupcakes with mocha buttercream

I have never thought that I would make cupcakes someday because I've never been a cake person. I know, it's hard to fathom that, knowing the fact that I love to bake. I mean, who doesn't like cupcakes??? I guess I'm just not a big fan of sweet treats period! (Although I would make exceptions for certain things like macarons or occasionally some sweet pastries like raisin croissants or brioches...)

Yesterday, during work, for some unknown reasons, I suddenly had this strange feeling that compelled me to make cupcakes out of nowhere! Weird isn't it? And of course, I had to follow my calling for cupcakes. So officially, this is my very first time baking cupcakes (well not really, but I don't count other times because I cheated and made them from the boxes)! Ahhh....Yes, me, baking cupcakes from ..... scratch! Not from store-bought boxes! Wow... I'm so proud of myself right now! I know, I know... you may want to laugh, but just bear with me and let me indulge my moment for a second here. 

Ok.... so now that I have made it, I suddenly feel the spark of love for cupcakes that I thought I would never have before. Still not much about eating, but more so about the fun of baking and frosting them. As for the first timer,  although there is still a lot of rooms for improvement, I think they didn't turn that bad at all. Right? Well.... even if they did... just humor me!

Anyway, I think there will be more cupcakes with different flavors to come in the near future. Oh boy! I certainly hope that my "customers'" appetites can keep up with my new baking passion. So my friends, today I introduce you to my newest "creation": Chocolate cupcakes with mocha frosting! 

And I hope you also will find the joy in baking cupcakes as mush as I do.

Strawberry and banana Crepe

I hope everyone is up for some dessert to cool down this summer heat, because I have a great treat that will satisfy the craving that you are having right now!

Crepe is one of a very versatile dish that you can't go wrong with either as a dessert or as a savory gourmet meal. The batter is quite simple to prepare and can be kept in the fridge for a couple of days. So you can either make a head to save time or store the left-over batter for later indulgence.

My boys love this particular dessert which is simply filled with some fresh strawberry, banana, and a couple scoops of vanilla ice-cream. Dust some confectioner sugar and a few dollops of whipped cream, it is divine! If you have other fillings in mind such as seasonal fresh fruits, caramel sauce or chocolate sauce, Nutella, fruit preserves, by all mean, use them. Be creative! The sky is the limit.

And if you are not up for dessert, but rather hungry for a real gourmet meal? Not a problem at all. Instead of sweet fillings, just sprinkle some cheddar cheese (or any kinds that your taste is calling for), add some cooked, diced chicken and any vegetables that your like (such as saute mushroom, onion, or spinach...) and voila... a mouth-watering savory crepe is calling your name!

My husband actually adores the plain, simple cheese crepe where only the crepe batter and cheddar cheese involve in the business. I tried it and he was right, it is quite good for such a simple filling.  A small touch of sweetness from the crepe and a whisk of creamy, nutty flavor from the cheese blend perfectly together creating an addicting meal on its own.

Rose water Macarons

 I can't say enough about the love that I have for these little round "circle" cookies. They are just too adorable to describe in word. I think, the more I make them, the more I got addicted and fall in love with them.  In this hot summer day, these pink little circles are dazzling in the sun rays and that is just so beautiful to look at.

Cranberry cookies

To tell you the truth, I'm not a big cookie fan at all. As the matter of fact, I like to bake more than I like to eat my baked goods. Every now and then, I would bake my favorite cookie recipe for my work family, but rarely I would want to eat it. Everyone at work loved it, everyone .... except myself!

The other day, while searching for  new flavors of  macarons, I came across this very simple to make and yet very addicting to eat cookie recipe. So the next day I went and bought some cranberry to try it out. In less than an hour, I produced a fresh batch of yummy cookies that I actually like to eat. 

At the first bite, you probably won't feel anything special about the taste, but as you go on for a few more bites, I bet you will reach out to get the second one as soon you are done with the first. The taste and the texture of the cookies resemble the taste of shortbread cookies. Not too sweet, but buttery, tangy and addicting.  And also very cute to look at. Don't you agree???

Salted caramel pistachio Macarons

 I don't know about anyone else, but I just love...love... the look of these tiny little guys. They are just so adorable to look at! I think I'm obsessed with not just eating macarons but also making and looking at them. The feeling of excitement when I can see the feet forming from these little guys through the glass window of the oven is indescribable. Only if you have tried and failed to make these picky little cookies successfully, you won't be able to understand what kind of emotion I am talking about here.  

Even with this successful batch of macs, it could go all wrong the next time I make it. Therefore, I want to savor and enjoy the fruit of my labor as long as possible.  

At our home, we all love these little French cookies, so I make them very frequently to keep the supply from going under. This time, the recipe for the shells is the same as I have previously posted,  but instead of the usual butter cream filling, I tried to pair the pistachio shells with the salted caramel sauce.  The sweetness of the caramel combines with the saltiness and creamy taste of the heavy cream and butter make me want to dance in happiness. I think it would taste even better if I can pair this heavenly filling with the mocha flavor macarons. Maybe that will be the next task for my macaron quest.

Caramel Flan

This caramel flan dessert was introduced to me by my Mom since I was just a little girl.  I remember she used to have a collection of French dessert recipes in form of index cards that my Dad got for her after they got married. And from there, she had make many delicious treats for us. Whenever I had her flan, I always tried to savor the melt-in-your mouth texture of the custard mixed in with the sweet and slight bitterness of the melted caramel syrup. I just love everything about this simple dessert treat.

Now as a Mom myself, I want to pass on my childhood delight experience with flan to my boys. Luckily, they both also love flan just like I do. Oh, did I mention my hubby is also a big fan of flan? However, his taste for flan is a little different than mine. He likes the thicker and creamier texture like the one you see in the Brazilian flan, while I like it a little bit lighter and more custardy flan. As for my boys, they don't really care, as long as it is flan, they'll love it!

The recipes below I followed from a dear friend of mine. I made some modifications to suit our taste buds and it turns out just heavenly. It brought me back to my childhood flan that I haven't had for a long time. I hope you will give it a try and enjoy it just like I do.

Thai fried banana and vanilla ice cream

     The last time we were at a Thai restaurant, I ordered a dessert called "fried banana and coconut ice cream". It was a delight! Fried banana and Thai authentic coconut ice cream, what's not to like? The crunch of the batter mixed with shredded coconut together with the cold creamy ice cream give your taste buds a pleasant and balance kick that make you want to reach for more. 
     I decided to replicate this dessert dish at home so we all can simply enjoy it after a nice homemade dinner. The result turned out very close if not better than the restaurant version (confirmed by my husband). It is very simple to prepare and in no time you will have a very elegant dessert to serve your family. If you allergic or don't like coconut flavor, you can omit the shredded coconut in the batter and substitute coconut ice cream with vanilla bean ice cream. I didn't  have coconut ice cream on hand so I replaced it with vanilla ice cream  and it does the job nicely.  When served hot with the frozen ice cream, it makes this dish even more desirable. 

Pistachio macarons

     These little macarons originate from France. And if you are "macaron-naive" then you should beware that these are not the same kind with the coconut macaroons, they are far from being related! 

     I fell in love with them at first sign. I mean who can resist these little cuties??? The rainbow color circles (as my little son calls them "circle") were arrayed neatly in the display at the pastry shop when they first got my attention.

    Since then I told myself I've got to learn how to make these little "circles" since I don't want to go broke trying to satisfy my palate with this decadent dessert.

    My very first batch of macaron was a total disaster. They looked more like "macawrong" because I over-mixed the batter and they turned out flat and footless. Nevertheless, they were consumed by my supportive customers (my hubby and my boys). I decided not to give up and keep on trying, the second time was a little better but still far from being called perfect. This time at least they had some protruding feet and I was really excited to see them. Since then, I have tried several more times. And each time with different results, some cracked, some hollow, some flat, some wet, some dry... but I told myself "don't give up". And with practice I got a little closer to the look that I fell in love with. 

    These were made a few days ago and since my hubby loves pistachio so I made these for him and the boys per his request. They are not perfect but it's the best that I have got so far. I made with 1/2 almond and 1/2 pistachio flours. As for the filling, I sandwiched them with pistachio buttercream. They are still hollow inside and a little crunchier than I wanted, but the size got more uniform than the most important part is the feet that I am long for! And as for the taste, they are scrumptious! My customers told me so:)

These were resting before being baked.