1 Standard measuring spoons are too wide to fit into slender spice jars but these ones by Cuisipro will squeeze into the narrowest of necks (well, most of them will; the spoon measuring 1 tbsp is too large, but just remember the standard conversion of 3 tsp = 1 tbsp). The set of five spoons (starting at 1/8 tsp) is HK$130 from PanHandler (Prince's Building, Central, tel: 2523 1672).

2 Fresh buttermilk is expensive in Hong Kong and we rarely use a whole carton before it goes bad. Powdered buttermilk is convenient - you just need to add water. Bob's Red Mill dry buttermilk powder is HK$98 for 680 grams from Oliver's (Prince's Building, tel: 2810 7710).

3 Baumkuchen is so called because the layers that make up the cake look like the rings of a tree (baumkuchen is German for tree cake). It's made by spreading a thin layer of batter in a pan or mould and baking until set, then adding layers and baking again. It's not that easy to find but Muji (3/F, Lee Theatre Plaza, 99 Percival Street, Causeway Bay, tel: 2808 0622 and other locations) has a few types, in flavours such as lemon, salted caramel and pumpkin. It costs HK$16 for a 115-gram piece.