The Nameless Tombstone and a Message From the End of Life

Meditative Opening

“If you wish to move the winds of heaven, begin with your own breath.
If you wish to transform your life, begin with a single thought within your mind.”

There are stories that do not shine brightly or unfold dramatically, yet they stand quietly like a mirror reflecting the truth of human life. Among the many grand memorials inside Westminster Abbey, one nameless tombstone often draws visitors to pause — not because of its history, but because of the awakening it evokes.

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The Inscription on the Tombstone

“When I was young, free, and filled with limitless imagination, I dreamed of changing the world.

As I grew older and wiser, I realized the world would not change, so I narrowed my vision and set out to change my country.

But my country, too, seemed immovable.  In my old age, with one last attempt, I tried to change my family — those closest to me.

But alas, they would not change.

And now, lying on my deathbed, I realize:
I should have begun by changing myself.
Through my own example, I might have influenced my family.
Their transformation might have helped change the country.
And who knows — perhaps I might even have changed the world.”

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A Quiet Yet Powerful Lesson

The lesson from this nameless tombstone is simple, yet profound:

• No one can change the world while still struggling within their own thoughts.
• No one can transform their loved ones without first living the qualities they wish others to embody.
• True and lasting change always begins from within — from one individual, out into the broader community.

This is also the essence of Buddhist teaching:
Light your own torch and walk.  When the inner light is bright enough, the surrounding darkness naturally fades.

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A Closing Reflection — For You, the Reader

In a world full of upheaval and uncertainty, we often want others to change so that life becomes easier for us.  But each time we turn inward — to our intentions, habits, and reactions — we discover countless places where we can begin anew.

You may not be able to change the entire world, but you can change the world within you.
And from there, small rays of light will spread into your family, to those you touch, and into everyday life.

All it takes is one first step —
the step of returning to yourself.

Soft & Fluffy Dumplings Without Yeast: The Easiest Baking Powder Dough (Beginner-Friendly Recipe)

 If you’ve ever craved soft, fluffy steamed dumplings but felt intimidated by yeast, kneading, and long rising times, you’ll love this recipe.  Using baking powder instead of yeast, you can make dumpling dough that’s tender, smooth, and perfectly puffed—without waiting for fermentation.

This quick method is ideal for busy home cooks, beginners, or anyone who wants delicious steamed buns without the fuss.  Baking powder activates immediately when heated, giving your dumplings a light, airy texture similar to that found in dim sum restaurants.

You can pair this dough with almost any filling you love: savory pork, chicken, mushrooms, tofu, quail eggs, or sweet fillings like red bean paste or custard.  It’s endlessly versatile and always satisfying.

 Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• No yeast needed — no long proofing time
• Ready in under 1 hour
• Beginner-friendly with simple steps
• Soft, fluffy, and smooth texture
• Highly customizable with savory or sweet fillings

 Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ to 2/3 cup fresh milk (or warm water)
• 2 tbsp cooking oil

 How to Make No-Yeast Dumpling Dough:

Step 1: Combining the Dry Ingredients:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:

• flour
• baking powder
• sugar
• salt

Mixing well ensures even rising and a smooth texture.

Step 2: Adding the Milk and Oil:

Slowly pour in the fresh milk while stirring with chopsticks or a spatula.

Once the dough begins to come together, add the cooking oil.

Step 3: Kneading the Dough (10 Minutes):

Transfer the dough to a clean surface or knead directly in the bowl.

Knead until the dough is:

• smooth
• elastic
• soft but not sticky

A properly kneaded dough will spring back slowly when pressed with a finger.

Step 4: Letting the Dough Rest:

Cover the dough with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let it rest for 15–20 minutes.

Although baking powder doesn’t require fermentation, this short resting time relaxes the gluten, making the dough easier to shape and helping the dumplings stay soft after steaming.

Step 5: Shaping and Filling:

Divide the dough into equal portions, flatten each piece, and add your favorite filling.  Pinch and twist to seal the top.

(You may follow shaping videos online for visual guidance.)

Step 6: Steaming Until Fluffy:

Place buns in a steamer lined with parchment paper or banana leaves.

Steam over medium heat for about 12–15 minutes.

Turn off the heat and leave the lid slightly ajar for 5 minutes before removing the buns—this prevents sudden collapse.

 Expert Tips for Perfect No-Yeast Dumplings:

✔ Use Warm Liquid

Warm (not hot) milk or water helps the dough combine smoothly and activates the baking powder more effectively.

✔ Don’t Overheat When Steaming

Too much heat can make the buns crack.

Medium heat = smooth surface + steady rise.

✔ Rest the Dough

A short 15–20 minute rest makes shaping easier and improves the final texture.

✔ Give Them Space

Dumplings expand as they steam, so leave space between each bun to prevent sticking.

🍽 Filling Variations:

Savory Fillings

• Char Siu (BBQ Pork) – the classic dim sum favorite
• Minced chicken + mushrooms
• Ground pork + quail egg + glass noodles
• Tofu + vegetables for a vegetarian option
• Curry chicken or curry potato

Sweet Fillings

• Sweet red bean paste
• Salted egg custard
• Peanut & sesame sugar
• Coconut custard

📝 Troubleshooting

Buns cracked during steaming?

→ The heat was too high.  Use medium heat next time.

Buns came out dense?

→ Dough not kneaded enough or too much flour added.

Buns collapsed after steaming?

→ Open the lid slightly and let them rest 5 minutes before removing.

❤️ Final Thoughts

Making pao dough with baking powder is one of the easiest ways to enjoy soft, fluffy steamed buns at home—no yeast, no long waits, and no complicated steps.  Once you master this simple dough, you can experiment with countless fillings and flavors to suit your taste or family traditions.

Soft Tofu Stir-Fry with Eggs

Soft tofu stir-fry with eggs is a comforting dish that embodies the heart of Asian home cooking.  Gentle in texture yet rich in protein, it balances the silkiness of tofu with the warmth of scrambled eggs and the fragrance of ginger, garlic, and scallions.  Quick to prepare and deeply satisfying, this recipe is perfect busy evenings when you want something nourishing without fuss.  The sauce can be adapted to your taste, but the harmony of soy, oyster sauce, and a touch of pepper makes this version especially flavorful.

Ingredients:

Main ingredients:

• 8 oz. soft tofu
• 3 eggs
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 piece fresh ginger, minced
• 2 scallions (separate white and green parts, sliced)

Tofu Marinade ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp soy sauce

Sauce ingredients:

• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp chicken powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• ¼ tsp white pepper
• 1 tsp cornstarch

Directions:

1.    Preparing the tofu:

·         Cut tofu into 1/2-inch cubes.

·         Mix water, salt, and soy sauce in a bowl.  Add tofu and let it soak for 20 minutes. Drain well.

2.    Whisking the eggs:

·         In a separate bowl, beat the eggs lightly.

·         Gently fold in the drained tofu, coating the cubes.

3.    Making the sauce:

·         In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, chicken powder, salt, sugar, white pepper, and cornstarch.  Set aside.

4.    Stir-frying aromatics:

·         Heat oil in a wok over medium heat.

·         Add ginger, garlic, and the white part of the scallions.  Stir-fry about 1 minute until fragrant.

5.    Cooking tofu and eggs:

·         Add the tofu-egg mixture to the wok.

·         Lower the heat and cook gently, stirring occasionally to break the eggs into soft curds.

6.    Finishing with sauce:

·         Pour in the prepared sauce. Stir until it thickens and coats the tofu and eggs.

·         Add the green scallion slices, toss lightly, and remove from the heat.

7.    Serving:

·         Transfer to a warm dish and enjoy with steamed rice or as a light main course.

Easy 3‑Ingredients Baked Fish

When prices rise, it can feel challenging to keep meals both healthy and affordable.  But with a bit of creativity, you can still serve nourishing dishes that don’t strain the budget.  Frozen fish, simple pantry staples, and a touch of seasoning come together beautifully in this recipe.  It’s quick, family‑friendly, and requires only three ingredients—proof that good food doesn’t have to be complicated.

🛒 Ingredients: (per person)

• 1 tilapia fillet (about 6 oz, frozen or fresh)
• 1/4 cup store‑bought salsa
• 2 tbsp low‑fat Italian dressing
• 1 tbsp olive oil

👩‍🍳 Directions:

1.    Prepping the fish: Place frozen tilapia fillets in a baking dish and let them thaw.

2.    Adding flavor: Once thawed, drizzle olive oil over the fish. Spoon salsa on top, then pour Italian dressing evenly.

3.    Baking: Place the dish in a preheated counter oven (or regular oven) at 375°F.  Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

4.    Serving: Enjoy warm with rice, salad, or steamed vegetables.

💡 Tips:

• Adjust flavors to your family’s taste: try spicy salsa for a kick, or full‑fat dressing for extra richness.
• Frozen fish is budget‑friendly and works just as well as fresh.
• Double the recipe for gatherings—this dish scales easily.

✨ This version highlights simplicity and affordability while making the instructions easy to follow.

Shaken Tofu (Vegetarian Version)

 This shaken tofu (tofu lúc lắc) is my vegetarian adaptation of the classic shaken beef dish.  I simply replace the beef with tofu and use soy sauce instead of fish sauce, while keeping the remaining ingredients the same.

For vegetarians, tofu is nearly indispensable—not only because it’s a clean source of plant-based protein, but also because it absorbs flavors beautifully and pairs well with vegetables and mushrooms. Today, I’ll show you how to make an easy, colorful, and delicious shaken tofu with bell peppers.  It’s simple, nutritious, and full of flavor.

Ingredients:

Main Ingredients

16 oz. firm tofu

2 cups mixed bell peppers (green, red, yellow), cut into squares

1 cup white onion, cut into squares

Cilantro for garnish

Tofu Marinade

½ tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp vegetarian seasoning

½ tsp pepper

Sauce ingredients:

1/3 cup all-purpose stir-fry sauce (posted on 11/24)

1 tbsp ketchup

1 tsp chili sauce

1 tsp mushroom seasoning powder

1/4 cup water

Aromatics ingredients:

1 shallot

1 tsp garlic

1 tsp minced ginger

Directions:

1. Preparing this one the tofu:

Rinse the tofu, then boil it in water for 5 minutes.  This helps it firm up.

Cut the tofu into square pieces.

Fry the tofu in hot oil over medium heat until golden brown on all sides.

Remove from the pan and toss with the tofu marinade ingredients (salt, sugar, pepper, and vegetarian seasoning).

Let it sit for about 1 hour so the tofu absorbs the flavors.

2. Preparing the vegetables and aromatics:

Wash and cut the bell peppers into squares, removing the seeds.

Wash and chop the cilantro.

Blend the shallot, garlic, and ginger into a smooth mixture using a spice grinder.

3. Stir-frying the vegetables:

Remove excess oil from the pan.

Add half of the shallot–garlic–ginger mixture and sauté until fragrant.

Add the bell peppers and stir-fry.  Season with ½ tbsp vegetarian seasoning powder.

Stir-fry for about 2 minutes, then remove from heat and set aside.

4. Making the sauce:

In the same pan, add 1 tbsp oil and heat it.

Add the remaining shallot mixture and sauté until fragrant.

Pour in all the sauce ingredients and bring to a boil.

5. Combining everything:

Add the fried tofu to the pan and gently stir-fry on low heat so it absorbs the sauce.

Add the stir-fried bell peppers back in and toss lightly.

Sprinkle in chopped green onions or cilantro to taste.

Turn off the heat.

6. Serving:

·       Transfer the shaken tofu to a plate.

Serve hot with steamed rice.

Enjoy a vibrant vegetarian dish with rich flavor, tender tofu, and crunchy bell peppers—a perfect everyday meal that’s both healthy and satisfying.

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

 When the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, I love filling my home with the warm fragrance of pumpkin bread.  Sweet and spiced carries the comfort of holidays past and the promise of gatherings yet to come.  There’s nothing like the aroma of pumpkin bread filling the house in the fall.  Sweet, fragrant, and comforting, this bread is not only easy to make but also a clever way to use up pancake mix and leftover pumpkin purée.  Adjust the sweetness to your taste and enjoy it as part of a Thanksgiving feast or as a cozy breakfast with butter or jam.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of pancake mix
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 ½ cups pumpkin purée
• 1 cup oil
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1.    In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.  Beat with a handheld mixer for about 1 minute, or until well blended.

2.    Grease and flour a 9 “x 5” loaf pan.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

3.    Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

4.    Let cool slightly before slicing.  Serve warm with butter, jam, or enjoy plain.

Asian Stir-Fry Sauce (Multipurpose)

 

This all-purpose Asian stir-fry sauce is a staple in many Chinese kitchens. It works beautifully for stir-fried vegetables, noodles, vermicelli, or quick meat dishes. You can also adapt it to different Asian cuisines:

• Thai style: replace soy sauce with fish sauce and add chili flakes or Korean chili powder.
• Vietnamese style: mix in Vietnamese chili paste for a stronger, bolder flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup oyster sauce
• 1/4 cup dark soy sauce
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cooking wine
• 1/4 cup chicken powder or mushroom powder
• 1/4 cup water

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves.
2. Pour the sauce into a clean glass jar with a lid.
3. Store it in the refrigerator.

Tip for Using

For a stir-fry serving 2–4 people, mix:

• 1/4 cup of this stir-fry sauce
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch

Stir well to form a smooth cooking sauce.

Asian Chicken Stir-Fry

Ingredients

Chicken

• 1/2 chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 2 Tbsp stir-fry sauce (for marinating)

Aromatics

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tbsp ginger, minced

Vegetables

• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup sliced zucchini
• 1 cup snap peas or pea flakes

Others

• Prepared stir-fry mixture (sauce + broth + cornstarch)
• Black pepper
• Cooking oil

Directions

1. Prepare the sauce:
2. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup stir-fry sauce, 1/4 cup chicken broth, and 1 Tbsp cornstarch. Mix well and set aside.
3. Marinate the chicken:
4. Toss the sliced chicken with 2 Tbsp of the sauce and let it marinate for 1 hour.
5. Cook the chicken:
6. Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger; stir-fry for about 2 minutes.
7. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 4–5 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove from the wok.
8. Cook the vegetables:
9. Add mushrooms, zucchini, and peas to the wok. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes or until crisp-tender.
10. Combine:
11. Return the chicken to the wok. Pour in the prepared sauce mixture.
12. Cook for two more minutes, or until the sauce thickens and coats everything well.
13. Serve:
14. Spoon over hot cooked rice and enjoy.