I've not yet BEAN to Japan but it is my number one food fantasy trip! I love love love red bean desserts so this recipe is an ode to how this important ingredient wears so many cute disguises. I've attempted to learn some Japanese over the years and I get friends to send me snack packets for extra inspiration! Super kawaii foods with faces from Japanese pop culture and food packaging have been a big design influence on me so I tried to work that into this recipe as well. And finally, the little star shapes are a hard candy called konpeitō which I put in there for my lively anko to snack on. Sorry for any mistakes in my Japanese labels! The only thing trickier than learning a new alphabet is trying to do cute hand-lettering in a new alphabet!

Adzuki beans are used in Japan to make a sweet red bean paste called Anko. Anko can be used in many traditional Japanese sweets. Growing up, adzuki treats of all kinds were always my favorite. This is my memory of my kitchen table growing up, the adzuki bean treats with the smell of fresh tea brewing.

I thought it would be a good way to celebrate the 'full of protein' bean. Adzuki and Lima beans are an unexpected main ingredient of Namagashi (生菓子), which literally translates to "raw sweets". I taught English as a foreign language in Tokyo for a while and really enjoyed these beautiful sweets. These are traditional Japanese sweets that are made of rice flour and sweet bean paste filling, namagashi is delicately shaped by hand to reflect the season and is usually served at tea ceremonies.

Lahpet or pickled tea is the most iconic of Burmese foods and unique to the country. It’s eaten in two main ways – as a-hlu lahpet, where the ingredients are served in a beautiful, divided lacquerware dish (aka Mandalay lahpet), and as a salad known as lahpet thoke (aka as Yangon lahpet).Eat as a snack, as a palate-cleanser at the end of a meal or with rice.

Recipe kindly supplied by MiMi Aye, author of Mandalay: Recipes and Tales from a Burmese Kitchen.

Global Cuisine Design Challenge (although I've had this idea since the food memories challenge - of preparing food with my mum and auntie in a loving but organised chaos kitchen)

Brown sugar and oatmeal make a tasty treat from our childhood. These are my oldest brother’s favorite!

No celebration can be complete without sprinkles

*Birthday Bash submission

This bubble waffle is such a popular street food in my home town Hong Kong. It has gained its popularity here in the US for the past few years. This is definitely my favorite street food ever and I love it so much that I even make it at home for my kids from time to time. You can easily purchase this particular waffle machine online and try to make it at your own home. It taste exceptionally good with some ice-cream, fresh fruit, and whipped cream. Bon appétit. - Illustrated by Janice Lalonde @my_sweetcanvas

A tasty Italian recipe with a baked icing to take it a step further

This delicious tart is hands down a family favorite. Three simple steps and voila you have a melt-in-your mouth delicious peanut butter and dark chocolate tart!

Kids can cook too!

Super simple and delicious three-ingredient peanut butter cookies!

Tasty doughnuts from my Romanian granny's cozy kitchen

Ice shaved
Snow flies, Penguin dance

Who doesn't like donuts? If you are in a hurry and want to eat something delicious, this recipe is for sure the best option!
Hope you enjoy!

While you are waiting the donuts to get cold, you can check my work at:

www.kamillaferreira.com
behance.com/kamillaferreira
kamillaferreiraa.tumblr.com