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Sarah Huang Benjamin
“You might know that Singapore is an island of food-obsessed people. And I? Well, growing up here, I’m no exception. I remember sitting in the kitchen beside my Chinese grand-aunt, shaping traditional Hakka yam dumplings one moment, and preparing roast lamb with my British father the next. Or, going on late-night hunts for the best, most pungent durian with my Peranakan mother.
One thing’s for sure: I learnt at a young age that food brings people from all sorts of cultures together. Studying abroad, separated from the flavours of home for the first time, I started cooking all the Asian dishes I missed. I even started a blog to document my culinary adventures. And just like Singapore and my family, my cooking is a melting pot of different cultures. To this day, nothing makes me happier than feeding people, whether they’re loved ones or guests at my private dinners.
If I can share with you Asia’s diverse flavours and inspire you to cook, my work is done. Join me on Asian Food Network –watch my videos, read my articles and save my recipes –to discover just how delicious our region is.
Sarah Huang Benjamin is a chef and food writer based in Singapore. Check out her personal blog at www.kitchenhoarder.com .
Celebrate The Lunar New Year with Sarah's 4 Course Meal Set
Chinese
Hae Bee Hiam Oatmeal Cookies
This Hae Bee Hiam Oatmeal Cookie is an addictive treat that just screams Chinese New Year! They may not sound like natural companions, but I find that oatmeal cookies and hae bee hiam (dried shrimp sambal) go together surprisingly well. The bold flavors of the spicy and savory hae bee hiam complements the overall sweetness perfectly, creating a unique taste that you simply can’t get enough of.
CNY Charcuterie Board
A Charcuterie Board is a classic grazing dish for any party, but this Chinese New Year version injects a whole lot of fun and Asian character into a familiar option. Impress your guests with a platter filled with bak kwa (best enjoyed with Five Spice Apple Compote), mixed nuts, Mandarin oranges as well as keropok and other crackers, paired with sambal or better yet, a unique Salted Egg Aioli.
Mala Steamed Fish
A whole steamed fish is a classic element of a Chinese New Year feast, but I have a recipe that amps those traditional flavors up by adding a boost of spicy, tingly mala. An absolute treat for the senses, this Mala Steamed Fish can be prepared in under an hour for a fuss free meal that will delight the whole family.
Braised Dong Po Wintermelon
This is a plant-based take on the classic Chinese dish Dong Po Rou, replacing meat with wintermelon that looks surprisingly like the original pork belly! I love how the wintermelon absorbs the flavors of the sauce and becomes beautifully soft. Perfect for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike, this Braised Dong Po Wintermelon is a must-have at your Chinese New Year gathering.
Christmas with Sarah
Matcha
Matcha Black Sesame Puffed Rice Treats
Puffed Rice treats, a childhood favourite, are given an adult upgrade with bitter matcha powder and sesame seeds. This no-bake sweet treat is great for the whole family, and are perfect for snacking on throughout the festive season.
Wasabi Devilled Eggs
Devilled eggs are a classic festive appetiser, and in this recipe, they get a hit of Japanese flavour, thanks to wasabi providing that ‘deviled’ taste.
Miso Butter Roast Chicken Legs and Daikon
This easy dish might look humble, but it’s packed full of flavour and is the perfect comfort food for the festive season.
Mushroom Soy Butter Pasta
Italian pasta is given an Asian twist with soy sauce and Asian mushrooms. The umami of the sauce blends with butter to make this an indulgent yet light dish.
Sarah's Asian Myths
New
Sarah's Asian Myths
Sarah Huang Benjamin busts age old culinary myths, shares food hacks and more in this series of Sarah's Asian Myths. Do you really need to fry belacan before making belacan? Can you make ramen out of pasta? Ziploc bags & soft, fragrant congee? Find out now when you watch Sarah's Asian Myths.
Recipes by Sarah Huang Benjamin
Recipe
One Pot Vegan Tom Kha Mushroom Soup
Making Thai food vegan means creating flavour without fish sauce. Japanese kombu seaweed and mushrooms add plenty of umami without the use of meat
Recipe
One Pan Vegan Krapao Fried Rice
This aromatic one-pan vegan dish relies on tempeh instead of meat for its chewy texture, and fragrant basil adds heaps of flavour.
Recipe
One Bowl Steamed Lor Mai Gai (Chicken Glutinous Rice)
Sticky rice is a must-have at Chinese New Year for me, as it symbolises the coming together of family at this celebratory time of year. This is the easiest way to produce a traditional lor mai gai, with juicy, flavourful chicken and warm, sticky rice.
One-Pan Slow-Baked Wuxi Pork Ribs
Combining Asian and Western cooking techniques makes this an easy, one-pot dish. All the flavour from the Chinese sauces penetrates the ribs during a low and slow bake in the oven, where they become meltingly soft and fall-off-the-bone tender.
One-Pot Ginger Wine Chicken Mee Sua
This comforting dish is a wonderful way to start the first day of the New Year. Its warming qualities will fill your whole being, while the aroma of chicken, ginger and Chinese wine will fill your kitchen.
One-Pot Apple, Osmanthus, and Cranberry Dessert Soup
A refreshing dessert soup is a classic for Chinese New Year, and is sure to get your year off to a sweet start. This one uses dried cranberries for an easy interesting twist, adding lots of tartness and texture to this dish. The osmanthus adds a wonderful floral note for an elegant touch.
Christmas Recipes
Recipe
One-Dish Gula Melaka Bread and Butter Pudding
Bread and Butter Pudding is a classic British dessert that’s perfect for a Christmas gathering, but we’ve given it an indulgent and familiar Asian twist with tropical flavours of pandan kaya and gula melaka palm sugar.
One-Pot Tom Yum Risotto
A risotto is the perfect one-pot dish to impress your guests. This one features exciting Thai flavours, blending a classic tom yum soup with lusciously oozy risotto. Make it your own by experimenting with the different elements.
One Pan Palak Paneer Baked Gnocchi
Palak Paneer is a smooth rich spinach gravy with cubes of Indian cottage cheese. A rich, already creamy dish, it’s made even better when you combined it with any kind of starch just to cut its strong flavour - from rice, prata, even pasta. And here, we’ve combined Palak Paneer with gnocchi in this One Pan Baked Palak Paneer recipe. A great family dinner, or to bring to a potluck, especially if your crowd favours Indian and Western cuisine - it’s a perfect combination of both!
One-Pan Roast Duck with Plums
Roast duck is a beautiful show stopper of a dish, perfect for Christmas. This recipe incorporates Asian flavours by matching the rich duck meat with Chinese five spice and plums.
One-Bowl No-Churn Five Spice and Orange Ice Cream
One can never resist desserts and definitely not ice creams. Try making your own ice cream, but this time, try using our One-Bowl No-Churn Five Spice and Orange Ice Cream recipe. It's a unique Asian dessert that is especially suitable for those who don't have a sweet tooth. The addition of five-spice powder balances out the sweetness, yet at the same time, it is not overpowering. Given that this entire recipe can be completed with the help of one bowl, it is perfect for everyone!
All-in-one Feast
Recipe
One-Pan Okonomiyaki Quesadilla
Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) a japanese pancake is a must try when you visit Japan, But if you are craving one right now, this mexican version is easy to make and has all the right flavours of the original version. Add on the delicious okonomiyaki sauce and you are good to go, perfect for a lunch time snack or fast dinner.
One-Pot Kimchi Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Heard of Mac and Cheese, what about Kimchi Pumpkin Mac and Cheese? This dish is suitable for those who find the Classic Mac and Cheese too cheezy as the addition of Kimchi and Pumpkin gives this Classic Western dish a Korean twist. To make things easier, this recipe only requires one pot and two steps. Yes, that simple! Time to make your own Mac and Cheese at home!
One-Pan Red Curry Shakshuka
Want to try cooking a new cuisine? Why not try our One-Pan Red Curry Shakshuka recipe, a classic Middle Eastern dish! With just two simple steps, you can get it all done under 30 minutes. This Red Curry Shakshuka recipe can be easily recreated at home with ingredients such as Thai red curry paste, tomato passata, cherry tomatoes, and coconut milk! Grab a pan, add all the ingredients except the eggs and let it simmer before cracking the eggs in. Adjust the taste with fish sauce and sugar, and there you have it, your One-Pan Red Curry Shakshuka!
One Pot Opor Ayam Roast Chicken Thighs
Opor Ayam is a traditional Indonesian dish, packed with the alluring flavours of spices and coconut milk. This version takes those flavours and combines it with a juicy, crispy-skinned chicken thigh by using the oven.
One-Pot Lemongrass Coconut Mussels
This One-Pot Lemongrass Coconut Mussels recipe will bring you back to Thailand! Whip up a quick meal with just the use of one-pot, mussels, coconut milk, lemongrass stalks, and add some ginger! Mussels are perfect for quick meals since it is easy to cook, and they taste fabulous. Bring it up a notch by adding sugar, chilli, and fish sauce to your liking!