jessiefoodinthekitchen

  There’s something deeply comforting about a pot or a wok of lamb slowly braising on the stove, filling the kitchen with warm, aromatic spices. This Chinese-style braised lamb shoulder is rich, fragrant, and tender, infused with classic spices like star anise, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves. It’s a dish that feels special yet is surprisingly straightforward to prepare, perfect for family meals or a cozy weekend dinner. Why I love This Recipe -Deep, warming flavors from traditional Chinese spices -Lamb shoulder becomes meltingly tender after slow braising -Minimal prep, mostly hands-off cooking time -Perfect to pair with steamed rice, noodles, or mantou (Chinese steamed buns) I am using Zhu Hou Paste to my braised lamb. It helps to bring depth, warmth and balance to this Chinese-style braised lamb, acting as the backbone of the sauce rather than just a seasoning. Zhu Hou paste is made from fermented soybeans, garlic, and spices, so when added to lamb, it creates a ric...

  If you grew up in a household where mothers and grandmothers ruled the kitchen, chances are you’ve caught a whiff of this magic dish wafting from the stove. Pickled mustard green shredded pork isn’t just food - it’s a memory in every bite, a staple that’s been passed down through generations of home cooks. At first glance, it’s simple to make. Just thin shreds of pickled mustard green tossed with tender pork. But the magic happens when those two come together. The pickled mustard green brings a crisp, tangy bite that cuts through the soft, juicy pork. As it sizzles in the pan or wok, the fragrant smell of searing meat blends with the sharp, savory scent of the pickles. It’s the kind of smell that makes everyone rush to the dinner table. This dish was made to be eaten with rice. But also, it’s good to enjoy a warm bowl of plain congee. That tangy-savory sauce from the pickled mustard green and pork drizzles right into the smooth, mild congee, adding just the right kick of fl...

These steamed stuffed mushrooms are the perfect option if you're looking for a visually striking yet surprisingly easy dish for gathering or special weeknight.   Imagine luscious, plump mushroom caps with a delicate filling of prawn paste and fish, cooked until it's perfectly soft, and topped with a colorful handmade calamansi chili drizzle.   It’s a bite-sized burst of flavor and texture—savory, sweet, spicy, and tangy all at once. Why This Dish Stands Out When mushrooms are stuffed, they become a centerpiece-worthy dish instead of just a side dish.   The shrimp paste filling—light yet flavorful—pairs wonderfully with the hearty mushroom base.   Steaming seals in moisture and keeps everything succulent.   The calamansi chili sauce, however, is the true star; its zesty brightness cuts through the richness and skillfully unifies all the components. You may be wondering why the color of my seafood paste looks red. This is because my recipe contains with samb...

Sometimes the simplest meals are the ones that stick with us—and this one-pot prawns and  glass noodles with napa cabbage is proof! Juicy prawns, tender napa cabbage, and silky glass noodles come together in a fragrant sauce made from minced garlic and red shallots. It’s cozy, quick, and full of flavor—perfect for a weekday dinner or a casual weekend meal. Here’s what makes this dish special: 1)Fragrant aromatics: Garlic and red shallots are the heart of the sauce, giving every bite a savory, slightly sweet aroma. 2)Fresh, tender veggies: Napa cabbage adds a gentle crunch and sweetness that balances the prawns perfectly. 3)One-pot magic: Less washing, less fuss, more time to enjoy your food. My cooking tips: 1)Don’t overcook the glass noodles—it cooks quickly and absorbs the sauce beautifully. 2)If you like a little heat, a pinch of chili flakes or fresh diced bird eye chili adds a lovely kick. 3)Fresh prawns make all the difference. The natural sweetness really shi...

There is something deeply comforting about these slow-braised dishes. This Gula Melaka’s braised pork belly with mushrooms and dry bean curd sticks (tofu skin) has an infused sauce that brings together traditional flavors with a touch of sweetness and nostalgia. This recipe reminds me of the classis home-style braised pork my family used to make, but I wanted to give it a local twist. Instead of using plain sugar or rock sugar, I turned to Gula Melaka (palm sugar). Its deep caramel notes add warmth and complexity, balancing the savory soy base beautifully. I am using the block type Gula Melaka. You can use the granulated Gula Melaka too. If you are using the block type, make sure to cut into small pieces, so that   it melts easily. This dish strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory, traditional and modern. The Gula Melaka gives it a uniquely Malaysian touch that turning the ordinary braise into something truly remarkable.   INGREDIENTS 500g pork belly, ...

  Grilling char Siu is time-consuming? Yes, indeed!! The marinating and cooking steps involved in grilling char Siu might take a lot of time.   In order to allow the flavors to seep into the meat, the traditional process involves marinating the pork for a few hours, often overnight.   Additionally, grilling might take some time, particularly if you want that distinctive char. And also create a crispy surface and smoky flavor. You might say can make char siu, or Chinese BBQ pork with oven baking, or air frying. Oven baking produces an excellent crust and a balance of juiciness. Air fryer is the quickest way to produce a crispy outside and a soft within, although it might not cook as uniformly as oven baking. Today I am sharing a super easy stove top version. You even get a lovely sauce to go with it, and the results are just incredible. It lacks charred or roasted flavor of charcoal because it is cooked entirely on the hob.   Trust me, this method is definitely ...

Spare Rib King or Pai Gu Wang ( 排骨王 ) are popular among the public. This dish will always show on the menu whenever you look at the menu.   That’s definitely due to its unique taste and flavor. I still remember the first time I have this Pai Gu Wang in a restaurant, I thought to myself like why it is called Pai Gu Wang where there are actually no ribs in it. In fact, pork tenderloin is always used for making this dish. This meat is taken from the sides of the large ribs of the pig, and the bones are removed when it is sold, so that’s how the name of this dish is created. Anyway, boneless design makes it very convenient to eat pork ribs. You don't need to spit out the bones, you can enjoy it directly. It is especially suitable for people who are not good at spitting out bones or don't like spitting out bones. Tenderloin contains tendons, it is difficult to chew. Therefore, the meat must be loosened before cooking to break the tendons inside. This will make it taste better ...

Steamed spareribs with sand ginger is a delicious Cantonese dish. The main ingredients are spareribs and sand ginger. Sand ginger, also known as galangal, is a spicy spice that adds a unique flavor to this dish. It is one of four types of galangals, a rhizome in the ginger family. Fresh sand ginger is paler in color on the inside and woodier and coarser in texture than standard ginger. As a result, it is more difficult to peel and grate.  So, I just cleaned it with a tiny brush and chopped it with the skin. Fresh sand ginger might not be available at other places, so they will powder form instead. When dried, the flavor becomes a little less intense. I love how the fresh sand ginger tastes when combined with other spices or ingredients to create the sauce for meat. Apart from the ribs, I also add glass noodles and yuba or dried tofu skin. The ribs, glass noodles and dried tofu skin absorb all the sauce, enhanced by the flavor of sand ginger and oyster sauce. You can use san...