tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20596013933651124652009-11-10T23:37:51.781-05:00The name I have in mind for the "L'Empire des Gourmet" I want to create someday....as my passion for food and cooking began from inspirations that lies within the Cacao.... With a life time goal to travel for culinary experiences....hope to share some of it here with you. Merci! Gourmet Food, Cooking, Baking, Nutrition, Recipes, Travel....blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-60260042981145337052009-11-08T23:02:00.007-05:002009-11-08T23:40:11.304-05:00

Recipe: Tiramisù aux Marrons Glacésthe magic unleashes when the beloved Tiramisu and Mont-Blanc collide....This article is part of "The Chestnut Series"http://lafleuraucacao.blogspot.com/2009/10/autumn-ingredient-for-chilling.htmlServes 10 to 122/3 cup castor sugar3 cups whipping cream2 (8 oz.) containers mascarpone cheese1 tablespoon vanilla extractpinch of salt2 pkg. ladyfingers.1/3 cup cold

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-921646830610867582009-11-07T23:40:00.005-05:002009-11-08T00:03:53.599-05:00

~ le macaron noir ~sésame macaron à la crème de sésame noirThis article is part of "The Macaron Series"http://lafleuraucacao.blogspot.com/2009/10/in-mood-for-loveand-macaronthe-macaron.htmlAnd an extension to the article "All Blacked Out"http://lafleuraucacao.blogspot.com/2008/09/all-blacked-out-current-food-trends-on.htmlMakes 20 macaronsIngredientsMacaron:65g Almond meal 80g Icing sugar 40g

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-1499194016699323122009-11-05T16:00:00.008-05:002009-11-05T16:40:43.828-05:00

This recipe is dedicated to my vegetarian and vegan friends! ....and the extension of a previously published article:http://lafleuraucacao.blogspot.com/2009/11/veganism-can-be-delightful-with-tofu_03.htmlServes 4-61 package of fresh Tofu Skins (cut into 8" x 8" pieces)4 cups of shredded vegetables of your choice (Enoki mushroom, King Trumpet mushroom, and the stems of Chinese Broccoli were used)

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-44967059620789707732009-11-03T11:58:00.012-05:002009-11-04T00:00:05.562-05:00

As conscious as I am in health and nutrition, I very much enjoy the occasional helping of meat protein. But when it comes to tofu, or any of its related members, I almost have an obsession, one of my weaknesses in craving for something that is actually healthy for you!Strolling along the aisles in the local Chinese market, I spotted the item that I have always had the urge to use it as part of my

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-91888715969941219222009-10-30T23:28:00.005-04:002009-10-31T00:47:42.258-04:00

~Earl Grey Macaron~with dark chocolate hazelnut praline ganache filling....This article is part of "The Macaron Series"http://lafleuraucacao.blogspot.com/2009/10/in-mood-for-loveand-macaronthe-macaron.htmlMakes 20 macaronsIngredientsMacaron:65g Almond meal 80g Icing sugar 40g Castor sugar 50g Egg white 8g Earl Grey tea powderPreheat your oven to 325oF1. Stack two or three heavy baking trays.

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-6784875075426584972009-10-29T23:47:00.014-04:002009-10-30T00:43:35.660-04:00

This article is part of "The Chestnut Series":http://lafleuraucacao.blogspot.com/2009/10/autumn-ingredient-for-chilling.htmlSweet and savoury bites with chestnuts should be anything but foreign to those who spent their childhood in Asia. Their passion for these sweet succulent fruits has reached the obsession level, yet never plateaued at their creative constructions with this jewel. From

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-60748137676697405712009-10-26T17:53:00.004-04:002009-10-26T18:56:14.498-04:00

The most exquisite form of a pastry that carry a fashion statement, it is almost impossible to not be in the mood for Macaron. The truth is that I fell for them too like most connoisseurs, after discovering Parisian-style macarons as I strolled pass the jewels-decorated cases of Pierre Hermé and Ladurée, I became a victim of this fashion trend when I am known not to be a meringue fan. With a

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-43282631068213537302009-10-22T14:29:00.007-04:002009-10-22T14:59:24.227-04:00

This article is part of the Chestnut Series!http://lafleuraucacao.blogspot.com/2009/10/autumn-ingredient-for-chilling.htmlAn inspiration from my visit to Hokkaido....Sometimes the senses from the ice cream trickling down your throat that much more exciting while walking against the chilling wind....Chestnut Ice CreamMakes 2 quarts1 quart milk7/8 cup heavy cream10 egg yolk1 1/4 cup sugar8 ounces

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-23566450299102082112009-10-19T23:49:00.010-04:002009-10-21T17:53:08.629-04:00

The Nor'easter storm brought in the first October snow, and a harsh reminder of the chilling winter ahead. All those thoughts of black ice was wiped away by the sight of these golden luscious nuggets at the local Chinese market. The hearty fruits of the winter....As a member of the nut family, fresh chestnut fruits have about 180-200 Kcal per 100 grams serving, much lower than its cousins like

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-70042720967928303922009-10-18T22:42:00.017-04:002009-10-19T01:10:02.183-04:00

Stumbling upon my friend's travel blog has invoked fonded memories of strolling along Hokkaido's food markets. A place that is well known for the exquisite sea urchin (uni or うに-雲丹), the monstrous giant red king crab (tarapa kani or 鱈場蟹), the creamy and luscious sea scallops (hotate gai or ホタテ貝), and various fruits with scents and tastes that have been engineered by the Heavens, it is this cured

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-90185710919642485432009-10-16T22:19:00.010-04:002009-10-26T19:11:51.773-04:00

Upon recovering from a flu, my first breath of fresh air made it felt like I have not been under the clear sky for more than a month! The mercury level has fallen over 20 degrees within the past 3 days, and my stomach just aches for something sweet and soothing, and there are very few things that could battle against this enchanted one. Catching a whiff of the zesty zing as the near boiling milk

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-72529860004409827652009-10-16T20:33:00.005-04:002009-10-16T21:02:54.160-04:00

As an individual with a Chinese heritage and embraces food, cooking and culture, it is almost shameful to admit that I have not yet tried dishes with a Southern flare. A fellow foodie Kahakai Kitchen has recently posted a cookbook review on "My New Orleans The Cookbook" by Chef John Besh. It was insightful about the flavour combinations, and I was most intrigued by her intuition with personal

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-76284492629237487632009-10-15T23:50:00.017-04:002009-10-18T02:33:50.049-04:00

A follow-up on a related post:http://lafleuraucacao.blogspot.com/2009/10/memories-of-chinese-mid-autumn.htmlServes 6-8Ingredients:6 Fresh Mangoes - remove skin and stone, or approximate 6 cups of thawed frozen mangoes150g Sago1/2 Pomelo - remove rind, membrane and seeds1 can Coconut Milk (can be substituted with low-fat version)50mL half and half (optional if conscious of fat intake)200g Rock

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-76994952088519481562009-10-12T01:55:00.037-04:002009-10-13T01:23:20.705-04:00

A short drive down to Providence R.I. was a scenic treasure saturated with Autumn colours, a mesmerising sight against the heavy traffic. As the weather cools and we begin to layer ourselves with sweaters and scarfs, there is nothing better than waking up on a lazy weekend, with the kitchen filled with harvest aromas.Nothing speaks more to the Fall weather than the scent of pumpkin, and the

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-17622871874590679582009-10-08T23:46:00.018-04:002009-10-09T00:50:15.096-04:00

A few days ago during my morning ritual of NPR/protocol, a short note on camels' milk and nutrition caught my attention. Camels' milk is unlikely a familiar ingredient for the palates of the general consumers in the U.S., but half way around the globe people consider it a powerful tonic against many diseases like diabetes and cancer. The Gulf Arabs believe it is an aphrodisiac. Though such health

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-47904781144726108372009-10-08T15:50:00.028-04:002009-10-15T01:38:45.574-04:00

Spending Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival abroad often made me take trips down the memory lane. Here in North America, there would be no competitions against the legendary mooncake being the centre of attention. Not that I would object to such notion, as I consider the mooncake (white lotus seed paste with one single yolk) to be among my favourites in the repertoire of Chinese pastries. Just imagine

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-14841254645559856632009-09-30T21:54:00.016-04:002009-10-01T00:04:57.546-04:00

Scientists in Reims, France recently unlocked the organoleptic nature of Champagne's fizz, the sensory explosion these delicate bubbles envelope, 5 litres of them that dance away from a single 0.75 litre bottle of Champagne.It takes a scientist with an obsession in bubbles to discover that, they do not just win with their abundance, but it is their wittiness that gives them the edge. Though both

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-30471552608926804512008-10-09T17:28:00.017-04:002008-10-11T00:38:41.820-04:00

There is no need to explain further on our love with the French macaron....there are no pâtisseries like the macaron, a visual and sensual enlightenment in a minute elegant package. A macaron is a traditional French pastry from Nancy, a commune of the Meurthe et Moselle département, in northeastern France. Dating back to the 18th century, the macaron is made of egg whites, almond powder, icing

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-61402550337429731052008-09-28T20:42:00.020-04:002008-10-02T21:25:23.459-04:00

It is not entirely a strange concept to consume foods that are mysteriously "black". In foreign cuisines, we have pastas and sauces elegantly "contaminated" with squid ink, and the East, black sesame made its way through the shadow with its mesmerising aroma. Black soybeans came crashing into the healthy eating market with the features of being lower in carbs and higher in fibre, compared to

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-72975527854862475682008-09-26T22:38:00.005-04:002008-09-26T23:53:27.616-04:00

Makes 30-35 bunsIngredients:Sweet Crust -500g Pastry Flour100g Sweet Butter - room temperature125g Lard - room temperature400g Caster Sugar8g Baking Soda8g Baking Powder50g Evapourated milk50g Eggs - lightly beaten1 small pinch Ammonia Bicarbonate - needed to generate the signature checkered top that resembles the epicarp of a pineappleChinese Style Bread Dough -1000g Bread Flour240g Caster

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-33269784274486403152008-09-23T20:31:00.022-04:002008-09-28T20:42:03.633-04:00

Pains or "麵包" from Chinese Boulangerie are well integrated with my cytoplasm; they are the "official" after school snacks for primary school kids, the best mates with your 15:15 coffee, and as for me, it is a love affair from the beginning, one that most likely to last a life time....It is almost upsetting to see that there is barely any recognition within communities here, apart from those heavy

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-83252145303907896862008-09-19T16:38:00.013-04:002008-09-21T17:57:55.043-04:00

It is never a difficult task to begin a microscopic analysis on recent conversations with friends while you are ill in bed =PThis conversation began on pictures of the spiny crustaceans I sampled during my trip to Hokkaido, Japan....The topic: our willingness to expand of our repertoire of food and ingredientsThe panel of speakers: 2 Asian foodie vs 2 American foodiesThe verdict....wouldn't be

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-68872740803864054072008-09-12T22:36:00.009-04:002009-10-18T02:44:01.984-04:00

A follow-up of a related post:http://lafleuraucacao.blogspot.com/2008/09/affair-with-chanterelles.html~ Israeli Couscous Infused with Chanterelles.... ~by Blanche IP Serves 4 Ingredients:1 ¼ cups Israeli couscous*1 ½ cups water or chicken broth2 tbs unsalted butter 6 ounces Golden Chanterelles or other types of mushrooms3 tbs herb infused extra virgin olive oil**½ lb boneless chicken thighs –

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-46522073149467735092008-09-09T17:21:00.013-04:002008-09-10T01:56:27.446-04:00

Haymarket has done it again....discovered another species of fruit, foreign to most, but friends to Central and South Americans....introducing the Mamoncillo....I was not intrigue by them at first, since they have a strong resemblance to the green olive *something I have yet to learn to appreciate after many trials....which included the dirty martini of course....heh....but after having seen them

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059601393365112465.post-10435659166524297032008-09-06T12:54:00.021-04:002009-10-18T02:43:33.949-04:00

I often head to the farmer's market at Copley Square here in Boston, and with a rare find of chanterelles, what is more delightful than experiment with it, and share your fruit of labour with your friends....or should I put it, having your dear friends to be your guinea pigs for your experimental treats....teehee....I was never a great fan of traditional couscous....the crumbly texture like

blanche_yihhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370679331014323445noreply@blogger.com0