Savour Presents: The Gift of Sharing

Savour is a monthly, WeChat-based digest about cultural dishes and the stories behind them. Follow Savour at ID: laurensnaps, or on Patreon @SavourMagazine.

The COVID-19 pandemic has confined billions of people to their homes worldwide, with well over 100 countries instituting either a full or partial lockdown. With outside activities largely on hold, what exactly are people getting up to within the confines of their homes?

According to Google Trends, the search term “recipe” has reached an all-time high with the terms "baking" and "cooking" duking it out in a close second. It's true, during lockdown and self-quarantine, many have found baking to be more than a time-killer. In fact, it's reportedly been one of the most effective coping mechanisms for quarantine anxiety. Scroll through your WeChat feed, or do a quick online search for “anxiety baking” or “stress baking,” and you’ll find all the cakes, pies, and cookies that forced-recluses are taking solace in these days.

For university student Yvonne, however, baking is more than just a feel-good activity; at the heart of baking for others is the very act of giving. Essentially, baking has become a new way to connect with loved ones when physical contact is impossible.

Savour Issue 02: The Gift of Sharing

Butter sizzling as it glides across the heated base; powdered sugar fluttering as it diffuses through the air.

Why do we bake? Just as often, it’s the intricate processes involved. For Yvonne, finding the ideal blend of eggs and flour to create a perfect chiffon cake has provided much-needed relief. But more importantly, it’s when she gets to share it with loved ones that really counts.

With shops closed and restaurants shut down, perhaps the greatest birthday gift one can wish for during quarantine is a creamy, sugar-coated cake. Little by little, the icing's sweetness coats the air, mingling with Yvonne's best wishes for her friend turning 18.

As famed American food writer M.F.K. Fisher said, "First we eat, then we do everything else." As such, baking is an avenue through which we connect, share, or simply create laughter and joy. The result, a recipe not only for the perfect dessert, but for the perfect 18th birthday as well.

Recipe - Matcha swiss roll

Serves: 1x 25 cm swiss roll
Total Time: 1hr 12 min
Difficulty: Intermediate

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• ¾ cup cake flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 2 Tbsp matcha (green tea powder)
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 Tbsp whole milk

Matcha cream filling:

• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 1 ½ Tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp matcha powder

Instructions

• Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 190 °C. Line a 38 cm x 25cm jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
• Separate the egg yolks and whites into two bowls. Add ¼ cup of the sugar into egg yolks and whisk until the egg mixture volume doubles.
• Add egg whites into a large bowl. Using an electric hand mixer, beat the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add the remaining ¼ cup sugar over three separate times and beat until stiff peaks form.
• Add the egg whites to the egg yolk mixture. Sieve the dry ingredients into the bowl. Using a spatula, fold in gently until just incorporated.
• Spread the batter evenly with a scraper onto the prepared pan. Tap the jelly roll pan a few times to remove air bubbles, and bake for 12-13 minutes.
• Remove the pan and gently take out the cake. Slowly roll the cake on the parchment paper. Once rolled up, cool to room temperature.
• Combine heavy cream, sugar, and matcha powder in a large bowl, and beat until firm and spreadable. Using a spatula, spread the matcha cream mixture evenly over the cake. Carefully reroll the cake. Refrigerate for at least two hours to firm up the cream.
• Enjoy!

READ: Meet the Young Mind Behind Beijing’s Newest WeChat Food Channel, Savour

Images: thelittleepicurean.com, courtesy of Savour