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Recipes that include sour cream

Cheesecake Brownies

Saturday, March 16, 2013

As a blogger, I’m often asked to explain, “Why do I blog?” Frequently people assume the goal is to get a cookbook deal.  That’s not why I blog and I’m not working towards a cookbook deal nor have I pitched one to a publisher. However, I have said that should one ever fall in my lap, I would certainly take it. I have said that to so many people over the years and I can still hear my voice saying that. It’s always been more of a joke and I was sure that would never happen.

Here I am in total shock. Last week, I was offered a cookbook deal! By a really lovely editor!! And… I didn’t take it!!!

Cheesecake Brownies with Text

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Connecticut Cheesecake

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

People are always amazed at how much Jessica and I have in common.  From being born in the same hospital to sharing the same ice skating instructors (years apart), some coincidences are uncanny; another is our mothers’ birthdays. Caya’s Wai Po and Grandma are the same age, born a day apart. We have celebrated together and separately, this year we did separate. On Saturday we celebrated my mom’s birthday and Jessica wanted to showcase the sugar flower work she’s practicing with Sophia.  What better canvas than a very white cheesecake?

Decorated Cheesecake with Sugar Flowers 1

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Plum and Brie Bites

Monday, December 20, 2010

We love that our new condo building has a sense of community. It’s something our old apartment building really lacked. Now, we have a yahoo groups message board where people try to meet up for doggie play dates, share info about our developing area, or voice concerns happening in the building.

Yesterday, my condo had a little holiday party in the lobby so we got to meet some more of our neighbors, now surpassing the number of people I knew in my old building after a few years. It felt so nice and festive with the glowing fireplace and big red poinsettias. Everyone brought treats to share, cookies, beer, champagne, fruit…I brought these Plum and Brie Bites.

Plum and Brie Bites

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Horseradish Cream

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Finally! We moved, but it’s not all smooth sailing yet. We’re living out of boxes and we don’t have a kitchen yet. While our perfect kitchen is being built (which we will be talking about soon), I’m going to have to get crafty. I do have many plug-in appliances (rice cooker, toaster oven, panini press, waffle maker, microwave, etc.) so we’re still going to have a ball here. I think we’re going to be pleasantly surprised with how much I (or you) can do without a kitchen. (Gulp) Determined to eat well every single day without exceptions, here goes…

During holiday weekends, you make plans to go out. One day with family. One day with local friends. Another day with friends from out of town. You know you won’t be home much so you keep the fridge pretty slim. Then, a meal sneaks up on you and you’ve got to throw something together.

Steaks are one of my favorite quick & easy meals, and at the last minute, I decided to dress it up with some Horseradish Cream. Lon loved it and it’s made with only three ingredients that are almost always in stock: sour cream, horseradish, and mayonnaise. The next day, I used the left-over Horseradish Cream on diced roasted beets. What a delicious side salad! Next, I’m going to smear some in my roast beef sandwich. More points for being so versatile.

Bowl of Beets with Horseradish Cream 4

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Blueberry Topped Fiori di Sicilia Cake

Sunday, February 7, 2010

It was time to make a birthday cake for my little brother, Justin, 6 foot 1 inch tall and about twice my weight, but still my little brother. He doesn’t really get excited about cake so I struggled a little over this one. Lon reminded me that Justin isn’t into frosting. It seems he often wipes some off. Janny reminded me that Justin likes blueberries. So, despite using blueberries on a cake just recently, I was going to do it again, but in a birthday cake with no frosting. I know some would not call it a birthday cake if it does not don the billowy puffs and swirls of sugar, so if that’s you, just call this a perfect tea time cake.

Blueberry Topped Slice 4

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ABC Scrambled Eggs

Sunday, January 3, 2010

When I was in Taiwan (a long long time ago), I’d start speaking to a vendor, and they’d immediately say, “ABC”, nod, and go on with their answer to whatever my question was. It was a little odd that everyone wanted to clearly acknowledge and label me as an American Born Chinese. It was obvious from my accent, or long hair (school girls are not allowed to have hair past shoulder length), or being XXL by their standards (which is a size 2 in the US).

Chinese Scrambled Eggs 3

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Mini Refugiado: Guava Cheese Pastry

Thursday, November 5, 2009

One of our favorite stops in Los Angeles was Porto’s Bakery. Everything was fresh and delicious at shockingly low prices. I’m dreaming about them expanding to New York one day but I know that’s a long shot so I may have to recreate some of their treats for myself. One of the pastries we enjoyed was a flaky and buttery pastry with a guava and cream cheese filling. They called it the Refugiado, but I’m not sure why it’s called the Refugee. (Hey Latino friends, holla if you know. ) Those layer-y doughs are a lot of work for home bakers and so is the idea of getting fresh guava to make a jam or preserve for yourself. Don’t worry, I came up with an easier alternative.

Guava Cheese Pastries lined up 4

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Peaches ‘N Cream Pie

Monday, September 21, 2009

Peaches 'N Cream Pie Slice

There’s a couple of things that lead to the making of this pie. One, I’ve been wanting one of those ceramic deep dish pie plates for a long time, the ones with the ruffled edges. They look so modern country, new yet classic. Unfortunately, it was $44 at Williams Sonoma so I tried to forget that adorable pie plate. Months later, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw one for $3 at TJ Max. No choice in color, but red will do for $3. I couldn’t wait to use it. (TJ Max does not have a consistent product line so you may not find this pie plate but they have great prices on kitchen stuff. You’ll find something.)

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Mini Matcha Green Tea Cupcakes

Friday, August 21, 2009

Mini Matcha Cupcake 3

You may remember the Matcha Green Tea Cupcakes I made in November of last year. I gave a batch to my friend Sara for her birthday and she shared some with a co-worker, Jean. Jean loved the cupcakes so Sara asked me to make some for Jean on her birthday. There’s nothing that makes me feel better than people enjoying my food so of course I said yes. As I made these cupcakes, I was debating whether or not to post the recipe again. After all, it’s the same recipe, just cut in half. But, I decided that I have a few helpful tips to add so I’m posting. Plus, this is one of my most popular recipes and it’s so easy to make. I hope you make these for your best friend on their birthday.

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Peach and Cherry Galette

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Do you remember when Carla won all those Top Chef rounds with a simple galette? I thought that was a bit ridiculous considering how easy a galette is to make.

Peach and Cherry Galette - slice 2

There is so much great fruit around now that I was thinking about making a Peach and Cherry Galette. The next day,  I saw the Peach and Raspberry Galette on Dr. Food, who had adapted hers from Use Real Butter, making it this week’s double Weekend Shout Out!

Peach and Cherry Galette 2

Jennifer, at Use Real Butter, has insanely good photos on her site, food porn heaven! Erin at Dr. Food took the sugar and butter down just a bit, which I thought wise, especially because I was going to use cherries which are not as tart as raspberries. The crust they used interested me because it was different from my go-to recipe. I was bit nervous when it looked pretty wet but the result was so incredibly delicious, flaky with a little pull. I will find it hard not to make this every day. So thank girls for giving me the basis for this Peach and Cherry Galette.

Note: Using good ripe fruit is essential!

peach and cherry filling 3

Peach and Cherry Galette
~makes two 8-inch galettes

  • 3 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1/2 cup ice water
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 7 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

filling

  • 2 cups sliced ripe peaches (peeled and pitted)
  • 1 cup cherry halves (pitted)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter
  • water for brushing
  • 1/2 tablespoon turbinado sugar

Instructions -

1. To make the dough, mix sour cream with water and set aside. Combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut in butter until it looks like coarse sand.

cutting in butter

2. Add sour cream water mixture 1 tablespoon at a time and toss with a fork. Only add what you need to get the dough to come together. (Doing this on a humid day, I found that I did not need all the liquid and it was still a bit wet compared to most doughs I am used to.)

3. Bring the dough together and separate into two balls. Flatten into discs and save each in plastic wrap. Chill for 3 hours or up to 2 days.

4. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and cover two baking sheets with parchment paper.

5. Roll out dough to 11″ circles, using a generous amount of flour to prevent sticking. Let dough hang on rolling pin to transfer to parchment covered baking sheets. Split fruit among the two pieces, arranging nicely in the center, leaving a 3″ rim.

peach and cherry filling 5

6. Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon of sugar on each (mainly over fruit part). Dot both with thin slices of butter (1/2 tablespoon each).

peach and cherry filling

7. Folding the dough is easy. Just pick up any side and fold over. Take the low corner it made and fold that towards the center. Now a new lower corner is created. Fold that towards the center and repeat until you’ve gone all the way around.

folding galette dough  2
folding galette dough  3
folding galette dough  4
folding galette dough  5
folding galette dough  8
folding galette dough  9
folding galette dough  10

8. Brush dough lightly with water and sprinkle turbinado sugar over crust (1/4 tablespoon over each). Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until pastry is golden and fruit is bubbling. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes before serving. Best eaten as soon as possible.

Peach and Cherry Galette - before baking Peach and Cherry Galette 4

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