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Cooking tips and trade secrets


Five ingredients I wouldn’t be without for Asian cooking
Suffolk private chef and author Lilian Hiw’s five ingredients she wouldn’t be without for Asian cooking
Jun 27


A new look to my cookery classes
Private chef Lilian Hiw, of Lilian’s Kitchen in Bury St Edmunds, introduces a new look to her cookery classes
May 30


Cooking can be as easy as 1, 2, 3
Cooking can be as easy as 1, 2, 3 – and 4 and 5 – quite literally.
May 3


Chef gives her verdict on new Asian supermarket K-Mart in Bury St Edmunds and provides a recipe for Japchae (Korean Sweet Potato Noodles) to try at home
I’ll admit it, this month’s column comes from a slightly selfish place. For years, whenever I’ve needed to stock up on specialist Asian ingredients, it has meant a planned trip to Cambridge or Ipswich, or an online order. So when I discovered that a Korean supermarket, K-Mart, had opened right here in Bury St Edmunds, I was genuinely thrilled. I asked the owner, Calvin, why he chose to open a Korean supermarket in Bury. His answer was refreshingly simple: there wasn’t one. He
Apr 4


Celebrating the Moon Festival: A Journey Through Tradition and Taste
This year it’s on October 6. Families and friends gather, lanterns are lit, mooncakes are shared and hot tea flows as we sit together to admire the moon, honour ancestors, share stories and give thanks.
Sep 20, 2025


The Magic of Thailand Festival, in Cambridge
https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/whats-on/experience-the-magic-of-thailand-9430282/ I had heard many good things about the annual Magic of Thailand Festival held on Parker’s Piece in Cambridge for many years, but had somehow never managed to pin the date in my diary. Imagine my excitement when I recently spotted the date on Facebook and found out that I was free that weekend! It was a very lovely day, so I thought I would share my experience with you. We paid for entry at the bo
Aug 23, 2025


Asian sweet treats
Green beans, also called mung beans, are boiled in water until tender. Then sugar and sometimes sago are added to make green bean soup, which is popular in Asia's hot and humid climate for their detoxifying properties and ability to cool the body. The soup can be eaten hot or cold.
Aug 2, 2025


Noodles and the many tasty ways they can be served
My love for noodles runs deep; I also like it served ‘dry’– cooked in water, drained and then mixed with sauces and meat or seafood and vegetables.
Apr 5, 2025


Food, traditions and the Chinese zodiac and their importance and meaning during Chinese New Year celebrations
Gong Xi Fa Chai! Happy Chinese New Year!
Did you know that 2025 is the year of the snake? Curious about why, when it takes place and the story behind it? Read on for an intriguing tale of the Chinese zodiac.
Feb 10, 2025


Ways eggs are preserved in Asia and shows us how to enjoy them
This may also be of interest if you have just started keeping chickens for eggs, as you may find yourself with a surplus of eggs in the spring and summer months and like to maintain a supply over the winter, when the chickens lay fewer eggs.
Dec 15, 2024


Let's take a journey around different countries looking at their individual take on a curry
Did you know that the UK has an annual event to celebrate the rich flavours and cultural heritage of curry? Be sure to check out what your town has planned to celebrate Curry Week in the first week of October next year – it’s a fun and mouth-watering time.
Nov 16, 2024


Yin and yang of drinks
Yin-yang philosophy, where balance is key to maintaining good health.
Yin – cooling (cooling) or yang – heaty (warming).
Nov 16, 2024


Curry is a culinary marvel, get her recipe for chickpea curry
Curry is a culinary marvel says private chef Lilian Hiw, of Lilian’s Kitchen, based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Get her recipe for chickpea
Oct 19, 2024


History of satay and Lilian's own recipe for the Asian dish
The meat is cut into thumbnail-sized pieces, seasoned, marinated in spices, threaded on bamboo skewers (traditionally the midrib of the coconut palm frond was used as a skewer) and then grilled over charcoal embers. Read on.
Sep 22, 2024


Velvet magazine- Cooking: Bin the burnt burgers: here’s how to barbecue the Asian way
My first double page column with Velvet magazine. Love the format and placement of visuals, thank you Alice! https://www.velvetmag.co.uk/...
Aug 2, 2024


My food column
May’s column in the Bury Free Press and on line at Suffolk News. https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/whats-on/amp/dim-sum-food-to-touch-the-hea...
May 8, 2024


Who knew Rice Paper has so many uses
Spring sunshine makes me think of fresher and lighter food. I was craving summer rolls the other day and while eating them with lashings of hoisin peanut dip and a scattering of peanuts, I was inspired to talk about rice paper for this month’s column.
What is Vietnamese rice paper?
Apr 6, 2024


Chinese New Year 2024
My food column in the Bury Free Press on what to hold on to and what to let go of this Chinese new year! https://premium.suffolknews.co.uk/whats-on/learn-all-about-the-auspicious-symbolism-of-traditional-chin-9351758/
Feb 12, 2024


Celebrates the Lunar New Year and know its traditions and what the food that served symbolises
Sharing some Chinese traditions for Chinese New Year in the Bury Free Press and Suffolk News. https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/whats-on/learn-all-about-the-auspicious-symbolism-of-traditional-chin-9351758/ Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important and significant festival for the Chinese. It is a 15-day celebration marked by many traditions. The exact dates vary from year to year according to the lunar calendar. The festival falls o
Feb 10, 2024


Discover Asian cultures’ Christmas dinners of choice with Suffolk private chef Lilian Hiw of Lilian’s Kitchen
Let’s chat Christmas this month. The year has flown by and I can’t believe it is already mid-November! Have any of you sneaked a mince pie yet?
Nov 18, 2023


Takes a tour of Asia to find canapé ideas
Suffolk private chef Lilian Hiw gives us summer inspiration with her Asian inspired salads
Oct 22, 2023


My latest column in Bury Free Press
Asian influenced beverages, have a little tread on this link https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-drink-up-and-say-cheers-to...
Oct 12, 2023


Refreshing Summer Drink
Top Suffolk chef Lilian Hiw looks at the drinks to cool us down on those long, hot summer days we all love
Oct 2, 2023


History of satay and recipe for the Asian dish
Bury St Edmunds Private chef Lilian Hiw, author of Lilian’s Kitchen, Home Cooked Food, on the history of satay and provides her own recipe f
Sep 22, 2023


Bury free press column
Thai iced tea- check it out … in my column next Friday in the Bury Free Press. . #foodwriter #burystedmunds #beverages #lilianhiw...
Sep 16, 2023


Everything tofu, including some tasty recipes
How to cook tofu, for people who would like to increase their protein intake through a plant source.
Aug 26, 2023


Asian Inspired Salads
Suffolk private chef Lilian Hiw gives us summer inspiration with her Asian inspired salads
Jul 1, 2023


Best use of Asian sauces and condiments to boost flavour
Suffolk private chef gives us the lowdown on the best use of Asian sauces and condiments to boost flavour
Jun 3, 2023


Lilian Hiw takes us on a trip to foodie heaven in Singapore
You can eat like a king in Singapore. There is a cuisine for every taste and budget. A full meal can be enjoyed for less than £3 at hawker centres, or, at the other end of the spectrum, there is an abundance of fine dining restaurants, including three-Michelin-star establishments where the country’s vibrant fine dining scene has emerged as one of the world’s most exciting.
May 19, 2023


Lilian Hiw simplifies Asian cookery with this tasty tandoori recipe
Using the same recipe, you can replace salmon with raw king prawns or chicken to create a new dish.
Apr 15, 2023
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