FOOD Archives - The Hangry Girly

Easy Recipe For The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

How do you like your cookies? Do you prefer it to be crispy or chunky? How about soft and chewy cookies? For me nothing beats a cookie with chewy and soft inside yet slightly crispy on the outside.

If you’re looking for an easy recipe for the best chewy chocolate chip cookies, then this is it! After making many batches and fails, I finally found a great ratio of butter, sugar, egg, and flour that makes the best soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies. The right amount of crunchy edges with soft and chewy interior is what makes a great cookie.

Use Cake Flour or All Purpose?

Most cookie recipes only use all purpose. Which is fine if you’re looking for somewhat of a store bought type of cookie. Meaning it will be harder in the texture.

This recipe calls for all purpose flour along with cake flour. This will help create a softer cookie texture. Cake flour helps to achieve that denser cookie without the cookie turning out like a scone.

Use Cold Butter or Melted Butter?

So the debate is whether to use cold or melted butter. I have tried with both and I found butter left outside for maybe 5 minutes till it’s soften, but still cold works best. I like to cut the butter into cubes and then leave for a few minutes. You don’t want the butter to be too hard because it will cause over mixing when you add the sugar.

Using cold butter helps with the cookie in maintaining their thick shape just like Levain’s Bakery in New York where they are know for their bumpy and chunky looking cookies. *note this recipe will be regular height and not like Levain cookies because that wasn’t the type of cookie I was trying to make. I have another recipe for the Levain cookies.

Like a typical cookie recipe, melted butter will cause the cookie to spread. Therefore, when you shape the cookie, you do not need to worry about it spreading too flat during baking. Also, too much butter will also cause it to spread out.

Tips

Do not over mix the dough after you add in your dry ingredients. It will cause the cookie to become more like a scone.
The ratio of brown sugar is important to keep the cookie slightly chewy.
Do not over bake. The cookies will continue to harden a little even if it feels soft to the touch.
Cut the butter into small cubes for easier mixing.
Walnuts gives these cookies extra flavor and texture, but of course you can omit it and just put more chocolate chips. However, I feel the taste won’t be the same.
Chocolate chunks are also great to use but for these I made I didn’t have any.
Make sure not to use oiled baking sheet because it will cause cookies to spread out flatter than you want.

Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe: Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Time to prep: 15 mins

Chill time: 20 mims

Cooking time: 12 mins

Ingredients

3/4 cups of cake flour
2 and 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
1 tsp of baking soda
1 tsp of baking powder
1 tsp of salt
1 and 1/4 cup of cold but slightly soften cubed unsalted butter (1 and 1/4 stick of butter)
1 Tbsp of vanilla extract
1 and 1/4 cups of brown sugar
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1 extra large egg and 1 extra large egg yolk
3 cups of semi sweet chocolate chips
3 cups of chopped walnuts

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Shift the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium sized bowl.
Add the salt and whisk together. Set aside.
In a stand mixer, mix the unsalted butter, vanilla extract, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes. Butter and sugar should be all incorporated together into like a paste.
Add the whole egg and egg yolk and beat on low for 30 seconds.
Next, still on low, incorporate the flour mixture in three separate batches. About 30 seconds each batch. Do not over beat. Only beat till flour is mixed in.
Stir in chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. Just stir a few seconds.
Put the cookie dough into the fridge for about 20 minutes.
After, remove from fridge and use a cookie or ice cream scooper to form the balls. *use a scale if you want the cookies to the same size. Mine weighed 50 grams each.
Place each ball of dough onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Do not over crowd the balls. *I put about 8 balls on each baking sheet.
Bake for 12 minutes at 350 degrees F. *every oven is different so around 10 minutes check to see if the edges are getting too burnt. If it does happen then turn off the oven, but leave the cookies inside for about 3-4 minutes to let the middle bake thoroughly.
Don’t worry if it is soft in the middle when you touch it. Let stand for 10 minutes and if will continue to harden to a chewy texture.

*can make about 16 medium size cookies

Hope you enjoy this chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe!

Check out a twist on the trending Dalgona Coffee Recipe

Nostalgic Taiwanese Snacks-Where to Find Them in LA

Even though I grew up in Los Angeles, I still remember a lot of the favorite things of Taiwan especially the food and snacks. Sometimes, after watching travel shows that introduces some local stores and their specialties, it makes me crave them more. Therefore, always on the look out for nostalgic Taiwanese snacks and where to find them in LA.

Though access to Asian markets is relatively easier here in LA, there is still a lot of nostalgic Taiwanese treats that are unattainable. Of course, unless you have a kind relative or friend willing to bring over or if you are luckily enough to travel abroad a few times a year. However, now there is another way!

Where to Get Taiwan Specialities

If you have an Facebook account, you will be able to find a group named Asian Goods. Here you will be able to find a variety of Taiwanese goods.

Note that when you come to the group page you will see it is all mainly in Mandarin. Do not worry! The administrator is able to communicate in English.

Since it is a private group, you will need to be approved first to see the content.

This is not a store where you will be able to purchase right away. You will need to pre-order and then wait for shipment. Usually it takes a two week period. Good things comes to those who wait right?

How to Order From Asian Goods

Click on the link https://www.facebook.com/groups/asiangoods
Once you are the group page, click on “join group” so you can be approved by the admin.
Once you are approved, you will be able to see all the products available throughout the page.
Each product has a separate post with its description and price per package.
Leave a comment under the post of how many orders you want.
Then the admin will reply to your comment to confirm your order. (response time is usually within 10-15 mins)
There is a choice to pick up at certain locations in LA (they even have pick up if you live in Flushing, NY) or you can have it shipped to you.
Payments are made through Venmo, Paypal, Chase Quick Pay, or cash (if picking up).
No payment is necessary until you get a private message with a confirmation and invoice.
Let them know that thehangrygirly is where you found their page when you order!

NOTE:

Do not worry if you cannot communicate in Mandarin when you see the page. The Admin (Ellison) is perfectly fine to communicate in English and super friendly.

If it is easier you can take a screenshot of the item(s) you want and privately messaged her through messenger. I sometimes leave her a voice message on messenger and she responds relatively very quickly.

Remember to be patient for your orders to arrive. Each item usually is processed in a bundle meaning orders only comes when there is enough people ordering that item.

Do not worry about picking up during this time because they make it very orderly and safe.

Taiwan snacks Taiwan specialities Taiwanese food

What is Dalgona Coffee and How to Make It

Dalgona Coffee is definitely a new trend for 2020. It is already viral on Tik Tok, trending on Twitter, and making waves on Instagram with over 50,000 #dalgonacoffee post this month.

This frothy coffee drink is super easy to make using only 4 ingredients: instant coffee, sugar, water, and milk. However, after some trial and error, I found by taking a twist on the original recipe turned out to be the BEST dalgona recipe ever!

What is Dalgona Coffee?

Dalgona Coffee is basically a frothy or whipped coffee that you add to the top of cold or hot milk.

Dalgona coffee got its name where a popular candy known as dalgona or ppopgi is made by heating sugar, oil and baking soda and mixing until it’s thick and fluffy and then letting it harden.

It is very similar to a Greek Frappe and is a stable in other parts of the world. It was not till it become popular in Korea, that this whipped coffee become an internet sensation. Especially with the quarantine, everyone is making it with their own twist.

How to Make Dalgona Coffee

Dalgona Coffee is a frothy coffee where instant coffee powder is beaten along with sugar and water until is creamy, light, and fluffy.

It might take some time if you use a whisk, so a hand mixer would be a better choice. Make sure to give it enough time to get the sugar coffee mixer to froth up.

Once you are done, fill the glass with ice and pour in the milk.

Add the whipped coffee on top and add some coffee powder for an extra touch.

Give it a mix when you are ready to drink it.

How To Make an Instagram Worthy Dalgona Coffee

To make it Instagram worthy, use a clear cup and good lighting.

When you top the frothy coffee, make sure to scoop a big spoonful right onto the middle of the cup. Then add another spoonful on top of that and keep building the layers until it reaches desire look. The dense frothy coffee will naturally spread out.

Sprinkle the top with some instant coffee for some contrast.

Be creative in your presentation, but keep it clean and of course some slight editing will help.

Note: The type/brand of instant coffee will affect the color and thickness of the whipped coffee.

The brown sugar frothed faster than regular sugar though it took more brown sugar to make the drink sweeter.

Make sure your water is hot enough to melt the instant coffee and sugar.

Using a hand mixer will definitely be easier and faster to get that thick creamy consistency.

Recipe and Tips

Recipe: Dalgona Coffee

*1 serving size*

Time to prep: 2 mins

Cooking time: 5 mins

Ingredients

2 Tbsp instant coffee
3 Tbsp fine brown sugar
2 Tbsp hot water
1 cup of milk
1 cup of ice cubes
*optional* coffee powder for sprinkling

Instructions

First, boil about a cup of water in a small pot.
Use a medium size bowl, add the instant coffee and brown sugar. *see tips below*
Next add 2 tablespoons of the hot water to the coffee sugar mix.
Use a hand mixer set to medium speed to whip until light and frothy about 3 minutes. Tilt the bowl to make the mixing easier.
Fill a glass with ice and pour in the milk. *see tips below*
Top the glass with the fluffy coffee. Dust with some coffee powder *see tips below*
Stir thoroughly before enjoying!

The brown sugar in place of regular granulated sugar gives this coffee a slight caramelized flavor. If you use regular sugar then adjust to only 2 tablespoons. It is all about taste preference.

Tip#1: You can use a whisk but it will take longer. Tilt the bowl helps during the whipping.

Tip#2: You have to use instant coffee or else it won’t froth up. Espresso seems to not froth up as well.

Tip#3: Amount of sugar is really up to how sweet you want. Regular sugar will be sweeter than brown sugar. So adjust to two tablespoons if using regular sugar. Stevia works fine but it wont be as frothy.

Tip#4: The milk can be cold or hot. It’s really up to you.

Tip#5: Chocolate shavings to a hot Dalgona Coffee is delicious

Tip#6: Adding caramelized brown sugar is another great addition.

Leave any comments or share your take on this delicious Delgano Coffee!

2020 trend dalgona coffee frothy coffee recipe

Must Try Places In Orange County

I’m always on the look out for interesting and delicious food places to try. Sometimes some restaurants are so hyped up that after you tried it you are disappointed. Below are 5 local Must Try Places in Orange County that I had to share. Leave any comments if you have any other places you would like to add to the list!

1. Chaupain Bakery

Chaupain Bakery is a family owned business that specializes in french pastries and artisanal breads. They were featured on “21 Best Bakeries in the West” in Sunset Magazine. A MUST try is their Elfroy Croissant which is a pastry filled with French custard and sliced almonds! It has the right amount of flakiness and this soft, but dense texture along with buttery almond and vanilla bean flavors that fills your taste buds with wanting more. If you are looking for something more savory then try their ham and cheese croissant. Chaupin Bakery is really a hidden gem in Orange County!

Note: Mainly opened for breakfast and lunch only. Also make sure to call if they have the Almond Croissant left if you do go later during the day because they do get sold out.

2. Fukada

Fukada is an authentic Japanese restaurant in Irvine that specializes in homemade soba and udon noodles as well as other Japanese dishes like curry and donburi. Chef Fukada has been crafting his skills for over 20 years and dedicates to bring the best by using organic ingredients and making most items from scratch. You can definitely taste how everything is so fresh and so flavorful unlike any other soba or udon noodle soup restaurant that sometimes makes you feeling thirsty from the soup being too salty or like it came from a package. One of the best part is also how affordable it is. There is option for adding side dishes with your main entree. You MUST try their spicy tuna don along with your choice of soba or udon noodles (my favorite would be the Sensai udon noodles). Add a little soy sauce on top and it will be the BEST spicy tuna don you have ever tried.

Note: Go half and hour earlier before they open or there will be a wait. Parking is relatively easy to find. They do not take reservations.

3. Oc & Lau Restaurant

If you are a die hard seafood lover than you have to try Oc & Lau in Garden Grove. It is unlike any other seafood restaurant for the vast choices of shellfish and how it is prepared. They specialize in seafood hot pots and steam or grilled seafood cooked in butter, garlic, shallots, and other spices that is really out of this world. They have dishes like grilled scallops with fish eggs, garlic butter queen clams, peppered escargot, and coconut prawns, but their MUST try is the Lobster Hot Pot which comes with a whole lobster and veggies. As it boils, you can smell all the aromas of fresh seafood, herbs, and spices.

Note: They do have two locations , but usually the one on Garden Grove is more packed and does not sell alcohol. Expect a line since they do not take reservations so usually it is better to go with a small groups.

4. The Straw: Modern Milkshake

The hip decor, the friendly service, the chill environment, and of course their milkshakes which is all created by the owner. Each milkshakes is so creative in their combination of ingredients you will not find them anywhere else. If you want an even better time then try their “spiked” milkshake and floats like The Pink Lady which is strawberry milkshake topped with sparkling rose or the Spiked Hot Chocolate which is spiked with soju. The Must get comes down to two favorites: Purple Reign which a is fruitier and slightly healthier with acai and the Donkey Kong that has bananas and cookie butter topped with a cannoli shell.

Note: If you are around Orange County on Friday and Saturday nights, there is usually a DJ playing music which makes it a really lively hangout spot. They also starting to serve some savory foods so you can stop by for a meal and desserts along with it.

5. North Italia

North Italia is a trendy Italian restaurant that is great for any occasion. Some tantalizing menu items include white truffle garlic bread (super yummy), zucca chips, braised short ribs, burrata tortelloni, and a variety of pizza choices. The MUST try is their amazing Chef’s Board filled with prosciutto di parma, pecorino toscano, crescenza, grilled piquillo pepper, pesto zucchini and much more. It is truly one of the best charcuterie and cheese boards I ever had!

Note: They do take reservations so that will be a good idea especially during the weekends. North Italia also has some really unique cocktails worth trying.

food orange county top lists

Popular Food Trends in SoCal 2020

Look out avocado toast and the infamous cronut, 2020 brings new and ever so scrumptious food trends. Whether you are a dessert lover or a savory foodie, this list of popular food trends has something for everyone. Grab a friend and try all these delicious food if you have not already!

Mochi Donut at Fill Bakeshop & Creamery

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0hiZP4Fw7_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

These mochi donuts has a crispy exterior with a chewy inside that makes this dessert irresistible. This popular food trend comes with flavors such as Guava Cheesecake, Matcha White, Milk and Cereal, and Strawberry Shortcake, these mochi donuts are as good as they look. Pair it with their dairy or vegan option ice cream!

Korea’s Famous Hot Dogs at Myungrang Hot Dog

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Ctc-hB9_d/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Unlike your traditional hot dog, Korean style hot dog is stuffed with different types of fillings and then deep fried in their own special batter. What comes out is a super crispy bread like texture and ever so satisfying flavor inside. There are flavors like hot dog and cheddar, rice cake, and even squid ink batter hot dog. If you cannot decide then opt for the variety pack.

Egg Sando at Egg Tuck

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv-isLmBken/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Taking a spin on a Japanese style egg sandwich (aka egg sando), Egg Tuck uses freshly baked brioche bread along with cage free eggs. My favorite would probably be the bacon and cheese egg sandwich with their signature egg sauce and house sriracha aioli. If you are feeling a little extra, then try the Royal West which consist of a beef short rib patty, over medium egg, cheese, and grilled onions.

Plant Based Burgers at Monty’s Good Burgers

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByT7mVDJRn-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Another popular food trend would be the incorporation of plant based products such as the Impossible patty in burgers. If you notice, even some of the fast food chains are offering it on their menus though some suffers in the taste and freshness. However, at Monty’s Good Burgers, their tasty burgers are so good you would never know it is vegan. I love how they make almost everything in house and is all environmentally friendly. Whether you are are serious carnivore or a vegan, Monty’s makes one of the best burgers! FYI: order The Dog Pile which is actually off the Secret Menu. You will thank me!

Taiyaki Soft Serve at Somi Somi

https://www.instagram.com/p/BncSUAagKCU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Somi Somi specializes in a popular Korean dessert known as Taiyaki ( a fish-shaped waffle cone) and filling it with a creamy soft serve. Taiyaki has a crunchy semi cake like on the inside which I think gives the whole dessert great texture. You can coat the inside with choices like nutella, custard, red bean, or even cheddar. Then decide on which flavor of soft serve which includes some like ube and black sesame or milk and horchata. You can of course either just have the taiyaki without soft serve, but once you try Somi Somi you will ask where has this been all your life!

Check out my other post on Must Try Places In Orange County!

What’s a Cornichons? Everything you need to know

Are you wondering what are Cornichons?

You came to the right place!

Cornichons (pronounced COR-nee-shons) are basically small pickles.

They come from a few types of small-growing gherkin plants that’s picked when they’re young because as they grow more, the pimply nubbins become sharp spikes. Although they are similar to cucumbers, they are not true cucumbers. It’s probably pretty difficult to find this particular type of small cucumber in markets in the US, but if you want to grow your own, these varieties are commonly used in France. They are minuscule sour French pickles. They are made with mini gherkin cucumbers usually one to two inches in length and harvest long before reaching full maturity for that extra tart bite!

What is the difference? Cornichons vs. Gherkin

Basically Cornichons are pickled gherkins. Here’s a look at their individual definitions:

cor·ni·chon

/ˈkôrnəˌSHän/

noun

a small pickled cucumber.

“a duck terrine with lentil salad and cornichons”

———————————-

gher·kin

/ˈɡərkən/

noun

1.

the small green fruit of a plant related to the cucumber, used for pickling.
2.

the trailing plant that bears gherkins.

Buying Cornichons

Since living in the Los Angeles area, generally I go to my local Trader Joe’s to purchase these. If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near your home, can try your local specialty store. It really depends on where you are from.

Fun Fact:

Did you know that there is a building in London named The Gherkin after its similar shape?

Gherkin London

Looking for more information? Feel free to contact me anytime!

cornichons pickles