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Kolachys

These traditional Eastern European cookies are made with cream cheese and pureed prunes. I found this recipe here Essential-Baker. The dough is definitely a challenge I had problems rolling it out to 12 inches wide. I ended up rolling the dough into cylinderical shape, put it back into the fridge to harden a bit then cut it up into rings and then rolled out a bit and filled it. I also noticed I had to bake the cookies a little longer than what was stated in the book. Initially when I took the dough out of the fridge after chilling for 12 hours the dough was quite hard. Once taken out from the refrigerator it doesn't take long to soften and dough can be quite sticky and difficult to handle. The end result the cookies are great! Hubby loves it and so do I.

Martini Chicken with Ginger

I think we are getting the cold weather again soon. I can feel my bones are a bit sore. The wind outside has started to pick up and more leaves are falling on the ground. I think I have to take my thick woollies out soon and my mitts!!! One of my home remedy is to warm up a pot of nice Martini Chicken with Ginger. This will definitely getting my bones warm up and put me to sleep too :) Very funny, ya. My family doesn't care for this soup so I have to slowly finish it up or maybe one of my sister will come and finish it up for me. Ingredients: Some sesame oil, a bowl of ginger which I smashed it up into bites with a mortal and pestle, 1 whole chicken washed and cut up to bite pieces, 2 - 3 Tbs dried black fungus soaked, washed, and drained, half a bottle of Martini Rossi, 1/4 bottle of home-made glutinuous rice wine, some salt and sugar to taste. (Sugar is optional)

Ma'amoul (Middle Eastern Cookies)

Another cookie recipe to try out. This time Middle Eastern Cookies (Pistachio with dates) exterior is coated with semolina and flour. I didn't use the ghee or butter instead I used what I have in the fridge, margarine. Since I have a big tube of margarine why not try it out. My mistake was I placed the dough in a warm oven and as a result the margarine became too runny. Overall the cookies turned out great except I didn't make it as puffy on the bottom as I would like it to be like the picture I saw here nandyala.

Silver Noodle with Choy Sum

Somedays I just ran out of ideas what to cook for my family. I wanted something fast and easy and ended up with this. My family likes it and do so I. At times I'm just pressed for time and since I had been out all day and cooking was the last thing I had in my mind. When I felt I am in a crunch I just dreamt up one within seconds. So for those interested here it is.

2 packets Fresh Silver Noodles, pour hot boiling water and drain immediately

Some fresh ground pork meat (minced pork) or you may use char siew slice into thin strips

1 - 2 Tbs Tang chai (preserved turnip shreds)

1 garlic smashed and chopped to pieces

1 shallot sliced

Less then a pinch of salt

Some dark soya sauce & oyster sauce adjust according to your taste

Vegetable - whatever veggies you prefer shredded cabbage or Choy Sum or Kai Lan if you wish

Heat pan, sautee shallot, garlic, and tang chai until fragrant and add ground pork. Stir it until the meat is partially cook and add in your seasonings, vegetables, and noodle last. Do not over cook your vegetables. Bon Appettito!

Red Bean Mooncake

Mooncakes are out at the downtown oriental stores. My sister gave me two Red Bean Paste with 1 Yolk Mooncakes. I think they all taste quite similar except for different fillings. The ones I found downtown were Lotus, Pandan Paste, Durian Essence, Red Bean Paste, and Pineapple. I had the pineapple mooncake and my conclusion is it tasted like pineapple tart. T & T have some reduced sugar mooncakes. BTW the pineapple mooncake was about 4 cm (approx. 1 1/2" square) and there were 10 pieces for CA$16.99