This adorable little penguin religieuse ($7) from Dominique Ansel is almost too cute to eat. But make sure you do, because he is divine! This little guy is all bundled up for winter with his earmuffs and scarf made of marshmallow. His eyes, beak and wings are crafted from white and dark chocolate. The choux pastry is filled with Mexican hot chocolate cream with a hint of chili.
dessert
Pies from Two Little Red Hens
The cupcakes at Two Little Red Hens were one of the first I ever tried when I moved to New York City in 2012. I’ll be honest; ‘normally’ I’m not a big cupcake fan. A lot of the time they have way too much buttercream frosting, and are too sweet for my liking. Which is why…
Apple Crumble
Apple crumble (aka apple crisp) is a dessert that has always been close to my heart. My mother would often prepare one to have after a roast dinner. There was nothing more satisfying on a cold night than to relax with a plate of warm apple crumble and whipped cream. I like to make mine with granny smith apples so the apples have a tartness to them which pairs perfectly with the sweet crumble. This recipe is highly adaptable: use a sweeter apple if you prefer, and maybe include walnuts in the crumble topping. If cooking for a larger group, you can double the recipe to fit a 13×9 inch pan.
Pecan Pie
Pecan Pie. I first tried this special dessert when I came to New York a few years ago. I fell in love with the strong flavor of the toasted nuts, mixed with the deliciously rich, sweet, chewy filling. But let me tell you: I am no expert when it comes to making pies! Pies and cakes are two totally different animals. But for anyone out there who, like me, is more accustomed to making cakes than pies, this pie crust recipe is great for beginners. It contains cream cheese, which gives the crust a slightly tangy flavor and rolls out quickly and smoothly. I think this pie is best made with a mixture of chopped pecans for the filling and halved pecans for the top of the pie. It is even more decadent served with a side of whipped cream or ice cream. You can also add maple syrup (1 & 1/2 tablespoons) to your whipped cream for a taste sensation. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!
Cotton Candy Creations at Ruimilk
Fans of cotton candy (or candy floss as it’s also known), can’t go past these adorable creations at Ruimilk in Flushing, Queens. First you choose your soft-serve flavor, vanilla or chocolate, or you can get a twist of both like I did. Then choose your cotton candy ‘rui’. As well as the super cute panda ($5.75), there’s…
Raspberry & Chocolate Energy Balls
When I was last back home in New Zealand I was introduced to a product called ‘Frooze Balls’, a healthy snack that is made up of fruits and nuts, and nothing else. They are also known as ‘Bliss Balls’ at some cafes. I was going to the gym regularly during this time, and would often…
Monsters from Las Delicias Patisserie
The Monster ($5.75) is described on the Las Delicias Patisserie website as the ‘perfect combination between a chocolate babka, a baker’s muffin and a melt-away cake in all its monstrous glory’. Being a huge fan of the chocolate babka, I was excited to try this interesting creation. Like nothing I’ve ever had before, the Monster was a…
Rolled Ice Cream from Minus Celsius
Thai-style rolled ice cream is popping up all over New York City. The latest location is on Grand Street, Chinatown. The Minus Celsius Ice Cream storefront is unassuming, as is it’s plain interior, but the flavours here aren’t compromised in the slightest. From the chalkboard you make your selection from flavours such as Crazy Cookie…
Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies
I recently got my work visa (after a lot of hard work and determination), and I’m now back in New York City. It feels fantastic to be back after such a long absence (1.5 years!), although slightly strange too. For the first week back, I felt like I was in a dream. Now, after a…
Wowfulls – Authentic Hong Kong Egg Waffles
One Saturday afternoon, I found myself at Smorgasburg, a big food stall market on the waterfront at East River State Park, Williamsburg. Before I even got inside the gates, I saw a girl walking out with with some kind of crazy-looking dessert and I thought ‘That’s what I’m getting!’ I saw the sign and figured…