Chinese Fried Sesame Balls (Jian dui煎堆) & Prosperity Cakes (Fa Gao发糕)

[@Jenniedoingstuff]

I love watching the videos of you and your grandma. It brings back so many memories of my childhood. My favorite is the Canto-English. It’s exactly how my grandma used to talk to me.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks Jennie! I hope you and your family are well. Happy New Year!

[@mlee895]

Your popo is the sweetest!

[@normacastro6072]

I’m glad that you spend quality time with your grandmother. Experienced cooks don’t measure because they cook with practice. It’s nice that you stay patient. One day these will be great memories. My mother passed away from cancer when I w

[@jmc4202]

I love you and your Porpor. Your respect and relationship is so precious. It’s a joy to watch and learn Porpor’s cooking and your fidelity to her.

[@vivianpazos4889]

Your popo is so cute. I love that no matter what all grandmas are all the same lol.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Hey Vivian you are absolutely right! No matter the culture. I'm very lucky! Wishing you and your family the best!

[@goburma]

Your grandma is very entertaining to watch. Treasure every moment cooking with your grandma.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thank you! Wishing you the best

[@lisadare]

It was so much fun watching you and your Popo and thank you for sharing her recipes. We are starting to lose a lot of these traditional recipes and dishes. I also love you are able to use Chinglese as we used to call it growing up. These are precious memories and it's nice how you are taking advantage of this time with her

[@MichaelNicastro]

Hey, thanks for your comment! It means a lot. I'm happy that now I have a chance to spend time with my grandma and family! When I was younger I did not appreciate it. I feel like my grandma's sense of purpose right now is cooking, it makes her happy. I hope to continue these traditions that's why I want to film them and share. Wish you and your family the best.

[@lisadare]

@@MichaelNicastro - that's great that you are going to continue these traditions. Video is such a great way to capture these recipes as many times like your Popo there are no specific measurements ;)! My parents used to own a restaurant and my dad passed away last fall but I had thought about compiling a recipe book - is that something that you had considered? Wishing you and your family all the best!

[@athena8729]

I love those red bean sesame balls 🤤🤤🤤🤤

[@ravent2631]

Your Popo is adorable and seems fun. It's nice to see people keep their cultural traditions alive.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thank you for your support. Wish you and your family well!

[@hapachina]

i just came upon your youtube channel. I am half chinese/half english. I lived with my Popo and Gung Gung when I was young and living in Hawaii. I loved to see the closeness you have to your Popo. You are lucky that you can speak and understand her. That is something that I regret not having with my Grandparents. I am looking for traditional recipes since I moved away from Hawaii. Tough to find traditional chinese food where I live now. Thank you for sharing your special relationship with your Popo!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thank you, Yeah I'm on a journey to learn more too. When I was younger, I did not appreciate it, now I'm lucky I have a chance to learn and share this with good people like you. Check out Made with Lau on KZbin too, they provide really good explanations and deep dives in culture. All the best, Michael

[@proudasiangirl576]

I love your interactions with your Grandma. You are always so sweet and respectful to her. She's fiesty!

[@nancyfong5635]

Yay! PoPo came out of winter hibernation to share treasured CNY treats! Michael, thank you for showcasing lost traditions that were important to my mom, who used to haul bags of special ingredients from Chinatown, on myriad crowded Muni bus trips, in preparation for the most important holiday of the year. Brings back a flood of memories! On new year's eve, my family always lit up every light in our heatless third floor walk-up flat all thru the night to welcome the new year. I was extra careful not to drop my chopsticks and not say anything negative in fear of being scolded.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Hey Nancy wow I can feel the emotion in your story. This makes new year even more special no matter the circumstance. Yes Popo came out of hibernation I’m lucky. I wish you and your family health, wealth and happiness happy new year

[@noritawong8008]

Ayayay! We use to live with Chinese Cantonese mother in law. She loves to cook like your grandma. I have to watch her cooking otherwise she told me someday I'm gonna do all the works. Lol! I did listen to her now everyone wants to come to my house for chinese new year. Lol!😊

[@rayachan1794]

How cute n sweet ur grandma is she doesn’t use the measuring cup instead she uses the small bowl 😃thanks for sharing this video

[@runningwater7873]

I love this video because of the genuine warmth between you and your grandma. It is heart warming. These are special moments. 😊More young people need to be in the kitchen with there grandparents. Not everyone prepares sesame seed balls the same and your grandma is absolutely right when using steam compared to gas for cooking food. I use both steam and electric. Gas makes me sneeze and I stopped using it 10 years ago. I didn't know about the red bean paste that the moisture is removed. I hope I can find the same packet in a local Korean store. What is the companies name that makes this paste? I notice the Korean people do not use red bean paste, they use a red yam. I do not like it. Red bean is so delicious and it is versatile. In my home town of southern Kerala, India we make Green Mung Bean soup and it is extremely healthy. We also make desserts too from the mung bean. I am new to your channel and I love to cook. I will make these delicious Sesame Seed balls. Everyday I make Sesame Seed Porridge and it is delicious. Thanks so much for producing this amazing video. Can you kindly accept a virtual hug from me? Keep on cherishing your beautiful grandma.😊😇😇😇🥰🥰🥰💖💖💖💖

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thank you so much for your heart felt message! Yes everybody and every culture can relate to the warmth and the feeling of life. Thank you for sharing with me some of your culture! Green mung bean soup sounds amazing and healthy. India has such a rich food culture and traditions which I'm so fascinated by. Thank you so much. All the best to you and your family. Thank you for your support. Sending you love and light - Michael

[@marylee9802]

Michael; Ur gmother loves u, but ur very respectful to her too! She always cooks specially 4 u! Ur her gSon!

[@anniewong9743]

Makes me miss my grandma

[@MichaelNicastro]

Sending you good energy

[@lilylin3281]

I love watching you and your grandmother. She is so adorable and you are so sweet and patient with her.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thank you, wish you and your family well!

[@listerchen778]

and keep up the family cooking videos. Am sure your popo and mom are delighted that you take interest in traditional cooking. A lot of home cooking is lost now because the kids are not interested in learning or find easier just buying at store bakery restaurant but many times not as good as home made. Wish i had learnt to make dim sum from my dad who cooked jee cherng fun or rice rolls. Also steamed dumplings.

[@MichaelNicastro]

I hear you! Yeah I realize it's not too late to learn and I'm lucky

[@chefcscreations]

Please tell Porpor a big 謝謝 for showing this sweet potato dough. I've been trying to get my Toisan friends grandmas to share the recipe. Toisanese people makes it with a sesame peanut sugar filling. soo good

[@MichaelNicastro]

Of course! Yes I'm grateful that she showed me too. That sounds good I need to learn these special recipes. Happy New Year! Sending you good vibes.

[@chefcscreations]

@@MichaelNicastro 新年快樂 to you & your family

[@MichaelNicastro]

@@chefcscreations 新年快乐to you too!

[@suelee5149]

Happy Year of the Ox to you and your family, especially your PoPo. You and she make a great team! Sesame balls and prosperity cakes are both new year's favorites, excellent demo choice 👍. Thank you for continuing to cook together and for making these wonderful videos! Gung Hay Fat Choy!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Hey thank you sue! Happy New Year to you and your family as well! I appreciate your support. Sometimes I think what's the point of posting the video. But I'm happy that it can illicit good memories and feelings for people. Gung Hay Fat Choy!

[@susanjungg4369]

My mother used to make something very similar for new years. Sweet potato wrapper but inside was coconut and sugar. Then fried. She called them "tee doy". Ask your Po if she ever heard of them.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Ahhh yes that's how you say it in Toisan I think! My popo and mom were saying that. Yeah off camera another time we made coconut and sugar and some with peanut and some with lotus paste. Happy New Year Susan.

[@aidamorales3329]

Luv those sesame balls your grandmas is lovely your so nice to do this with her learn as much this is a special time wish I had a grandma

[@MichaelNicastro]

Sending you good energy and positivity.

[@marylee9802]

Ur very smart, Michael. U understand when ur gmother teaching u Chinese cooking!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks Mary, I know realize that the time that I spend with her is important :). Wish you and your family well.

[@wugglebuggle2592]

We will definitely try on this. Thanks grandma😊

[@MichaelNicastro]

Great, enjoy every day like it's new years!

[@fenk3054]

my grandma has the same exact kitchen ware your PoPo has. Watching this video was like sitting in her kitchen again.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Wow that's a very special feeling. I wish you and your family the best!

[@senneymark4096]

Your Por Por reminds me so much of my mom. She spent days cooking yummy desserts for CNY. Like your Por Por she use to keep her pots in the oven too 😆. Happy New Year!

[@MichaelNicastro]

That's so special! I'm sure she did not precisely measure, she just felt it. Happy New Year to you and your family! Thanks for your comment. Did your mom cook any other Chinese desserts?

[@senneymark4096]

@@MichaelNicastro Definitely a New Years staple my mom made was Cantonese Sweet Fried Dumplings - Gok Zai / Yau Gok (角仔/油角)

[@MichaelNicastro]

@@senneymark4096 Yes I know those! They look like empanadas. I have to make them with popo.

[@listerchen778]

@@senneymark4096 just finished eating gok jai with my wife. My wife always talks of spending all new year's eve chopping the peanuts and making them with her mom

[@marylee9802]

Michael, I did as u asked. Liked, comment & subscribe. I think u r doing a really good thing. Lucky, u have a grandma who knows how to make all Cantonese food. She is smart.

[@listerchen778]

enjoyed this one too. Gong Hay Fat Choy. We always buy jeen dui at the chinese supermarket or bakery. Never seen it with sweet potato although we eat lots of korean yam cooked in air fryer.

[@MichaelNicastro]

I'll have to try that Korean yam in air fryer

[@listerchen778]

@@MichaelNicastro we buy the 10 pound box from korean supermarket. Comes from California. About 8 korean yams in air fryer for about 20 minutes. We just scrub them and leave skins on.

[@kayveron7]

Thank you for all the precious and meaningful videos with por por! God bless your beautiful family! :-)

[@MichaelNicastro]

Appreciate you. Wish you and your family well!

[@alvarieroberts720]

Your Grandma is freaking amazing! So wholesome!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thank you sending you good vibes!

[@verybearygood]

Thank you! I enjoy watching you in the kitchen with your PoPo...she’s adorable❤️ And thanks for the recipes!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks Karen, I'm happy that you like the videos. Again Happy New Year! ;-)

[@marylee9802]

Wow, Michael! Ur Amazing, I didn’t u were so smart in the culinary arts! I am still on ur 30th bday video! Ur parents ate ur good w/o critical comments, it must have been very good! I am impressed! See, ur young so u can do all that w/o tiring out! Happy, happy bday! U have had a good upbringing!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thank you Mary! Sending you and your family positivity and love.

[@eddiechan1873]

Wow PoPo you can speak English very well 👍 . I love your cooking .. 🥰

[@MichaelNicastro]

She can speak english very well, better than my cantonese. Thank you for your support!

[@prettypurple7175]

PO PO SO KAWAII////❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@kennethwu115]

great video Michael

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks Kenneth, all the best to you and your family!

[@ediblecomplex]

Almost Lunar New Year again, so perfect time to try these recipes out myself! I found you through the Hoisan FB group :-D I've never seen sweet potato in a Jeen Dui dough recipe, but it sounds delightful so I'll try her way. I love watching the interaction between you and your poh-poh, and listening to your dialogue. It cracked me up the way she measures stuff as I had to guestimate quantities whenever my parents cook too- everything is measured with rice bowls! A lot of time with my Hoisan dad (who is no longer here) was spent watching him cook/learning his techniques, and it's wonderful to see your curiosity and cultural interest. Thank you for keeping it real and please keep it up!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks for your support! Yes I enjoy that group and I showed my Popo. I feel like they just cook with love and measurements are not important. Anyways wish you and your family abundance in the new year and lunar new year.

[@masakalacindytan1729]

love pho2.. come from tiktok

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thank you

[@VEGAS-N-BEYOND8543]

My favorite when I want dim sum! Happy Lunar new year 🧧 to you and especially Grandma 👵

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thank you, All the best to you and your family as well!

[@rat108]

Classic PoPo answer: “Sometimes”

[@MichaelNicastro]

This true lol

[@DopeCantonese]

新年快乐啊 Michael. Nice tradition~ My mom told me that when they were kids, they all made 煎堆 and gave them as a gift when they visited ppl during new year. Now we just buy some daan gyun or cookies.

[@MichaelNicastro]

I see the traditions change over the years. In overseas Chinese communities some things don't change, like frozen in time :-).

[@MichaelNicastro]

Also, if anyone is interested in some fun Cantonese/Mandarin lessons Check out Gloria's youtube channel (Dope Chinese) above. It's also great to watch with your children so they can learn! I wish I learned more Cantonese when I was younger :(. Now I talk to my popo and practice. Gloria's videos help me a lot!

[@DopeCantonese]

Michael Nicastro That's nice. haha I hope you got lots of lucky money this year 🧧🧧🧧

[@DopeCantonese]

Michael Nicastro Thank you so much, Michael. 😘😘😘We should definite make a zoom video together soon. Let me brainstorm a little bit. 🤯 hahha

[@MichaelNicastro]

@@DopeCantonese Haha thanks you too

[@normacastro6072]

Oops, it sent before I finished. Anyway, I wish I had time with her like you have with your grandmother. I am of Chinese decent so I can relate. Tell your grandmother “thank you”for sharing.

[@MichaelNicastro]

I'm sorry to hear that! Happy Lunar New Year! You make me even more grateful. I totally agree with you about very experienced cooks, they tend to avoid what's in front of them. I tell her all the time. It's a process of filming with her. She does not wait for anyone lol. But I can go back and appreciate it. Also, I taught her how to watch youtube, so she watches alot of cantonese cooking videos :). All the best to you and your family

[@maermajunsay496]

Thank you for sharing this recipe I'm happy have english complete ingredients and procedure hope more chinese food you share❤️

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thank you! You are welcome!

[@winane]

Hahaha...I love your Poh Poh's stubborness! "MMm duk ah!!" Hahahaha!!! Hoisan food is Hoisan Love ;)

[@MichaelNicastro]

Hoisan love Happy Holidays to you and your family sending you good vibes. Have you seen this video where I try to speak Hoisan. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKGlpI2DgtqFmdU

[@winane]

@@MichaelNicastro Too funny!! Hiang hoy neigh!!

[@winane]

@@MichaelNicastro Too funny! My mom loved it too!! You did very very well!

[@MichaelNicastro]

@@winane Haha its cool I try to learn more. My mom speaks Toisan better than Cantonese

[@winane]

@@MichaelNicastro I sent you a message on FB messenger. Your mom speaks Hoisan wah well!

[@rat108]

Wishing you and PoPo a wonderful year of the Ox!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks Rebecca Happy New Year to you and your family too! Health, wealth, and happiness!

[@kellyb8237]

Where's the video where u made bbq pork buns? I saw a glimpse of buns on kitchen counter.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Hey Josie, I think that video is on our tiktok. www.tiktok.com/@michael.nicastro?lang=en

[@Tophluck22]

Really enjoy these videos ! great memories with your popo. Keep it up

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks Samantha for your kind words. Hope all is well with you. Happy New Year to you and your family!

[@crissey162]

Those fried sesame balls look delish. Happy New Year to you and your family!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks Crissey, Happy new yer to you and your family too!

[@chopstickspoon9969]

lunary new year treats look gooood!

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks! Happy new year! Wishing you and your family the best

[@bigapplehits80]

Damn these look so good

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thank you!

[@MisterSketcher]

Happy new year bro

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thanks Happy New Year man!

[@lynsalay4393]

Typical Popo .... cute!

[@MichaelNicastro]

She is the best. Wish you well

[@BeefOffalEditing]

The "faat" in "faat go" has two meanings, leavening and getting rich.

[@MichaelNicastro]

Thank you!

[@luvlyhun]

Is this the first time you saw your grandma making Chinese New Year food?

[@MichaelNicastro]

Hey Winnie, first time she made these desserts. She usually makes a CNY dinner every-year! Hope you had a nice celebration.

[@luvlyhun]

@@MichaelNicastro usually during CNY, my mom cook, and my siblings came home to celebrate and eat dinner together. But I did have a fun celebration with my siblings, nephews and niece.

[@MT-wn3wj]

婆婆可好？

[@rayachan1794]

lol 😂 don’t tell grandma what to do that’s y she’s yelling at u

[@ksoo8938]

grandma so small ball wasting time