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Sandy Tang

MasterChef Finalist
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Hey there!
I’m Sandy.

An inspiring menu developer as seen on the current series of MasterChef 2020 on BBC1

About me

MasterChef: ‘Never seen that!’John and Gregg stunned as chef commits BBC first

sandytangst

Sandy 鄧善婷 | MasterChef
Pardon the angle 🙈

They bring Ham Chin Peng 咸煎餅 (salty pancakes) to a different level! I love the gradual thickness of crunchiness with a soft doughy crust at the bottom. It's commonly served alongside with congee in many Cantonese breakfast eateries. Made with simple ingredients bread flour, water... and Nam Yu 南乳 (Fermented Red Beancurds) which gives you a subtle sweet taste as well as savory ones. Lots of sesame on top that gives you that extra aroma 👌

Swipe ⏩ They kindly cut it up as they serve us the dish
⏩⏩ Me showing you how crunchy it is 🐽🐽😋
⏩⏩⏩ Other great dim sum dishes
⏩⏩⏩⏩ The exterior of the restaurant

#飲茶#dimsum#bolei#foodie#londonfoodie#london#yumcha # 咸煎餅
*Inhaling the hotpot spirit* Tried out this new h *Inhaling the hotpot spirit*

Tried out this new hotpot place in ZH and so impressed with their varieties and the quality of their broth base. The Left is the signature Taiwanese style Mala Spicy broth with unlimited braised tofu and duck blood to take home as well. The Right is a chicken broth with mushrooms and barleys which has a thick consistency and taste great even having as a soup on its own.

What I love most is their penguin shaped squid cakes, with half made from squid ink looking super adorable... As well as their yogurt flavour sorbet served as a palette cleanser between meals! 👌

A very happy Sandy.
Thanks to Mama's feeding and great food Macau and Thanks to Mama's feeding and great food Macau and GZ has to offer, I probably haven't pick up a knife or get my hands dirty for a good month 😂

However, me and my sister decided to make some wontons together using @omnipork.uk - a plant based pork that took Asian markets by storm, along with some fresh shiitake mushrooms and chives 😋 which compliment each other really well because Omnipork is also made from shiitake mushrooms, peas, rice and non GMO soy protein.

Then cooked with a chilli, garlic and black beans sauce 🌶️👌 wontons has never been so good

Good thing is Omnipork is also launching their range in the UK this month. Make sure you follow @omnipork.uk to know where to get hold of them! What I really love about this product is how versatile you can cook with it unlike most vegan products in the market right now that is finished or semi-finished, check out @kaykayfood for more vegan recipe inspirations. 😍

#omnipork #veganuary
Fixing my sweet tooth 👌 The 'Popcorn' was exce Fixing my sweet tooth 👌

The 'Popcorn' was exceptional. I love its presentation and you can really taste the essence of corn within a bite. Complex textures of mousses, popcorn crunch, and a fluffy sponge.

This shop is just round the corner where I grew up in Macau and their sweets are just as good as it was when I first had their Mont Blanc.
Visited the local market today, and thought might Visited the local market today, and thought might as well popping down to the noodle and dumpling stalls next to it.

Another favorite of mine - braised beef brisket and tendons with egg noodles and choi sum 牛筋牛腩撈粗, some potstickers filled with Chinese chives 韭菜鍋貼, stuffed peppers 釀尖椒 and deep fried wontons 炸雲吞
What Macau feels like ☕ What Macau feels like ☕
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! 🎉🥂 Hope you all ha HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! 🎉🥂

Hope you all had some time to reset and feel ready to kick off again. 2020 has been a challenging year but we have dealt with it so big congratulations! It's also a year that I realised how passionate I'm about food and pivot myself to a completely different industry with the many opportunities I have been given. Massive thank you for those who had offered help, purchasing my products as well as your kind messages and supportive comment to keep me going. ❤️🙇🏻‍♀️

In order to pursue the exciting opportunities ahead, I finally made the move to leave my full-time consulting job with @accenture. I'm so grateful to be part of the organisation that constantly gives back and invest in their own talent. What I have learnt in this high performing environment will last for a life time and will play a vital role in my next step - starting off a new food venture! 🔨📈

In parallel, I'm still serving my clients as a food consultancy focusing on areas in new product development. Feel free to drop me a note if you have any questions and require a second option. I just LOVE interesting ideas especially when it comes to food 💡

Our 2021 will be great!
Apart from the well-known Chongqing Spicy Hotpot p Apart from the well-known Chongqing Spicy Hotpot packed with Sichuan peppercorns and chillies, Chaoshan Beef Hotpot is also very popular during the winter days in Southern China.

The Hotpot is served in a light but tasty broth cooked with beef bones and various vegetables,  the one we had today is cooked with coconut slices). Chaoshan Beef Hotpot has slight more emphasis on the quality of the beef - once the cow is slaughtered, they have to be eaten within the same day. Yes, you have to slaughter a cow to get beef and neither burger are grown from trees. The chef must also slice the beef by hand, not machines and interestingly the most premium cut here is from its neck and shin for its flavour and texture. The beef slices are then cooked in a net for maximum 8 seconds, before served with a simple dipping sauce like Shacha.

#Hotpot #hotpotseason #chaoshanhotpot
滑蛋叉燒飯🔥Perfectly cooked scrambled egg 滑蛋叉燒飯🔥Perfectly cooked scrambled egg and Char Siu (Barbeque Pork), drizzled with sweet soy

This is one of my favourite dishes in casual diners back home. Pork is well marinated with five spices and grilled with charred wood. Any fats are rendered and the edges are slightly charred, as they brushed honey to finish off the grilling. Scramble eggs have never been so good, it's silky and buttery-smooth.

Very happy Sandy here.
📸 TOURISTY 📸 TOURISTY
I was so close to have a cat for my birthday this I was so close to have a cat for my birthday this year, but that got postponed. Meanwhile just gonna enjoyed their temporary companion. 🐾🐈
🌟Reading as a Therapy🌟😌 It's not unusual 🌟Reading as a Therapy🌟😌
It's not unusual that we all feel a bit "broken" at times. I often think there is no better way to pull these broken pieces back together by indulging myself in the wonderful world of literature. Words has great power to heal and mend - at good times, it makes being more mindful of our own situation. And in the bad days, it distracts me from the outside world, providing me an instant getaway and be part of someone's plot for a while. 

Thought I will share some good reads that I have enjoyed in my week 1 quarentine, and hopefully they can provide some comfort for those who also need it. The list has a focus on mental illness and psychiatry, not the lightest kind of reads but I assure there is a lot of positivity within and leave you feeling warm, and energised again. 

1️⃣ Breaking & Mending by Joanna Cannon
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Out of 5
❤️:
Joana guided me through her journey of becoming a doctor, and how she soon realised becoming a good doctor is not just about easing the physical pain of her patient but also the emotional consequences of facing death and other uncontrollables as well. 

2️⃣ The Girl Behind the Gates by Lenda Davies
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Out of 5
❤️:
Truly touching. The story breaks me but also bring me so much joy in the end. Back in 1939, Nora was sectioned under the Mental Health Deficiency Act, being pregnant out of wedlock - moral defective as they called Nora. After enduring 40 years of unspeakable cruelty, psychiatrist Janet comes to rescue or maybe vice versa in the end. I think Nora's emotional resilience has brought me as much hope as it did for Janet. 

3️⃣ Into to the Magic Shop by James Doty MD
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Out of 5
❤️:
A great story that unravels from a boy born who was into a poor family believed that he will not become anything in his later life. However after a life changing encounter he unlocked the secret of how to become successful. He learnt lessons of compassion, opening his heart which is ironic as he became a surgeon and he also grew a fierce with determination. Jame's life story beautifully reflects this message and so much more. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is feeling lost or unsure of their future.
A little celebration for few important decisions m A little celebration for few important decisions made over the last couple days with a Sunday roast! 🎉

FIRST - After due considerations, I'm going home for Christmas to see my family after 2 years 🎉❤️ I will be in Shanghai, Macau and places in between, so do hit me up in advance for dumplings, dim sum, or anything you name it 😋 

SECOND - It's something worthy of a separate post and I will definitely let you know when it's effective 🤫

#sundayroast
✨Wₑₑₖₑₙd ᵢₛ ᵣₒᵤₙd ₜₕₑ cₒᵣₙₑᵣ✨

It’s your favourite Friday night fajita with an oriental twist, featuring Lee Kum Kee’s Chilli Garlic Sauce and Premium Soy Sauce. You can save yourself a lot of washing up too, because all you need is a wok or a saucepan, before serving with a crunchy salad on a wholemeal tortilla! Lee Kum Kee’s soy sauces are all naturally brewed for at least 3-6 months with non-GM soy beans and no preservatives (which is probably why they’re so popular in professional kitchens and households around the world too!) #ad All @lkkeurope products mentioned are available at @tescofood.

#fajita #fajitanight #lkkrecipes #Chineserecipes

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts, sliced
Wholemeal tortillas or tacos
1 red and yellow pepper
1 red onion, sliced
15g ginger, grated
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
 Lettuce or mixed salad

Sauce Mix
1 tsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp smoked paprika
1 Tbsp Lee Kum Kee Premium Light Soy Sauce
1 Tbsp Lee Kum Kee Chilli Garlic Sauce
1 Tbsp honey

Method

Marinate chicken with sauce mix and stir. Set aside for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

Add a splash of oil into the pan over a medium-high heat then add in ginger, peppers and onions and stir-fry for 3 minutes until the onions are softened.

Reduce the heat down to medium and add the garlic, followed by the marinated chicken and stir fry for 10 – 12 minutes until cooked.

Put the tortillas/ tacos in the oven to heat up.

Place the cooked chicken on a tortilla with a mixed salad. Garnish with crushed peanuts, leftover sauce and enjoy.
✨ANNOUNCEMNET TIME✨ This time, I’m so thril ✨ANNOUNCEMNET TIME✨

This time, I’m so thrilled to work with one of my most loved condiment brand Mizkan @mizkanchefuk @mizkan_chef_france @mizkanchefde, as a guest judge in their European Chef Culinary Awards. This competition is open on Mizkan’s Weibo and WeChat channels across the UK, France and Germany.

If you have a passion in cooking and the creativity it takes to win a popular vote on WeChat, show us your recipe either in the form of a short video or snapshots working with Honteri, and a host of prizes, including a brand-new iPhone, could be yours. Find out more by following the link in my bio page.

At this stage we are only opening the competition via Weibo & WeChat without automated translation, but please do watch out for more exciting activities in the future!

Tag your friends to nominate a good fit! 

#Mizkan #honteri #mizkanuk #mizkaneurope
A protein packed treat that I would like to share: A protein packed treat that I would like to share: Protein Banana Walnut (and coffee 🤫) Bread

One loaf of this contains 92g (70g protein) of impact whey isolate protein powder from @myproteinuk. They provide a great energy source and keep my carb craving in check every morning. 

I have tried out different recipes before, and it's been quite challenging to add protein powder in baking applications while maintaining its taste and texture. But I think I have finally smashed it with this version:

RECIPE
Using a 2lb tin

4 bananas, very ripen
4 large eggs
Vegetable oil
Invert sugar syrup
100g self raising flour
70g wholemeal flour
92g whey protein isolate powder @myproteinuk
50g corn flour
50ml instant coffee
6g bicarbonate of soda
6g baking powder
100g vegetable oil 
Handful of walnuts
𝔻𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕀 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕘𝕝𝕦𝕥𝕥𝕠𝕟𝕪 𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕞𝕖 𝕙𝕠𝕡𝕖

✴️ Razor clams with chilli, garlic, soy and sesame oil
✴️ Mussels with chorizo & cider

Some sweet potato fries & my five-a-day (all packed into one meal) sautéed cabbage

#sinteng #foodie #instafood
Beautiful Sunday roast ❤️ ✅ Roasties cooked Beautiful Sunday roast ❤️

✅ Roasties cooked in beef dripping
✅ Smoked bacon sautéed cabbage
✅ Honey garlic roasted carrots
✅ Wild mushrooms and onions stuffing
✅ (hidden) Yorkshires
✅ Perfectly cooked sirloin joint

#sundayroast
Happy Thursday! 🤗 And happier for my tummy thi Happy Thursday! 🤗

And happier for my tummy this morning with a special breakfast 😚 芋泥肉鬆小貝 is a mini sandwich cake with a sweet taro filling, coated with meat floss, sesame seeds and seaweeds crunch. It's one of those sweet & savory items that I just can't resist having more 😋

The cake base is super light and fluffy, I feel like biting into a pillow  filled with creamy fillings. 

Let me know if you want the recipes, because if no one is asking then I'm lazy 😂😂

#cake #cakes  #cakedecorating #chocolate #food #dessert #cakesofinstagram #birthday #instafood #cakestagram #foodporn #instacake #baking #yummy #homemade #sweet #love #cupcakes #bakery #foodie #delicious #cakeart  #pastry #instagood #foodphotography #tarocake
Since the mooncake project, I have been exploring Since the mooncake project, I have been exploring the benefits and other usage of invert sugar. It is one of the ingredients that I wished I have leveraged more in the past. In many baking applications, it is superb in increasing the product's tenderness and moistness. You can probably spot ingredients with similar chemical composition, like corn syrup and honey appear in many recipes. And above all, what I love is it really helps intensifying aromas, especially in sorbet and chocolate ganache. 
Good news is that you can easily make them at home and store them in bulk. It is essentially heating sucrose (any off-the-shelf granulated sugar) with water and a touch of acid as a catalyst, i.e. lemon juice, cream of tartar.
The catch is using a non-reactive pot/ pan, as well as a material that holds heat well and distributes it though the ingredients evenly so that you get a perfect result. This includes materials like stainless steel. For this instance, I have been using @samuelgrovesgb Classic Tri-Ply stainless steel casserole pan. The use of an aluminium core allows the pot to heat up fast and distribute heat evenly. While the inner layer does its work to maintain the heat and provide a versatile surface for any types of cooking. Here are the specification that speaks for itself:
Outer layer: 430 Stainless Steel 0.5mm Thick 
Core Layer: 1050 Aluminium 2.1mm Thick
Inner Layer: 304 Stainless Steel 0.4mm Thick.

RECIPE

1000g caster sugar
600g water
60g lemon juice
To neutralise:
100g water
2g bicarbonate of soda 
Bring sugar, water and lemon juice to boil. Brush away any sugar crystals stuck to the side of the pan with pastry brush dipped in water.
Without stirring boil the mixture to 118°C. Remove from heat. 
Mix bicarbonate of soda and water together, then add to the sugar mixture. Stir to mix well.
Let cool at room temperature. Store in a refrigerator. Invert sugar will last at least 6 months.
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