Female Chef Du Jiaying Shares Budget-Friendly Pastry Recipes: Belgian Waffles for Just 10 Yuan

▲ Belgian waffles (right image) paired with vanilla ice cream (right image) are incredibly easy to make — costing just 10 yuan and 12 yuan respectively. (Photo / Provided by Du Jiaying)

Lifestyle Center / Comprehensive Report

With electricity prices rising 8.49% starting in October, many businesses have begun raising their prices, including ice cream and biscuits, which could see hikes of up to 25%. Du Jiaying, champion of the 2013 World Culinary King Taipei Championship in the team category, has publicly shared her cost-saving recipes. She said you can make Belgian waffles for just 10 yuan, while store-bought ice cream will rise from 20 yuan to 25 yuan — but homemade costs only 12 yuan. The top-selling nougat biscuit in group buys can be made for just 3 yuan, with a simple recipe that saves money and offers peace of mind.

Du Jiaying explained that making nougat biscuits is very simple: just boil sugar, maltose syrup, and water to 130°C, then add the “secret ingredient” — salt — to prevent it from being overly sweet. Next, whip egg whites and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until soft peaks form, then gradually pour in the hot maltose syrup while continuing to whip. Finally, mix in unsalted butter, sifted high-maltose powder, and milk powder until well combined — this becomes the nougat filling. Du Jiaying suggests dividing it into 5-gram portions and sandwiching it between soda crackers, or adding roasted peanuts to make nougat candy — averaging just 3 yuan per piece.

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Belgian waffles, popular at trendy cafes, can be made at home for just 10 yuan. She said all you need are fine sugar, eggs, butter, milk powder, and pearl sugar. First melt the butter, then stir in the syrup and cook for a moment. After it cools slightly, add the “secret ingredient” — vanilla essence — and pour it into the well-whipped egg mixture. Cook for a short while, then add the pearl sugar. The waffles won’t melt even when baked, resulting in a sweeter taste.

Homemade ice cream, a favorite among kids, can be made with just a refrigerator. Du Jiaying boils fresh milk, vanilla bean pods, and seeds, then pours them into a pot with whisked egg yolks and fine sugar — remember to stir constantly to avoid scrambling the eggs. After straining, cool it over a water bath for a smoother texture, then mix in fresh cream. Freeze for about two hours, then scrape the mixture with a spoon to incorporate air eight times before freezing again. She pointed out that constant air incorporation is key to achieving a soft texture, and using real ingredients ensures peace of mind.

Du Jiaying is an assistant professor in the Department of Hospitality Management at Taipei City University of Science and Technology. She has published "The Million-Dollar Business of Champion Pastries," revealing the secrets behind popular gift pastries, best-selling snacks from street vendors, restaurant afternoon teas, desserts favored by affluent women, and even the century-old pineapple cake recipe from traditional bakeries. She has also shared recipes for trending items like nougat biscuits and taro rolls. She is often invited to guide low-income families and single mothers in starting businesses. She explained that due to previous scandals involving tainted milk and starch, along with soaring prices, many mothers want to learn pastry-making to save money, start businesses, or supplement family income.

Du JiayingDIY Cost-Saving Recipes