Kumquat Blueberry Orange Cake and an Elephant for Lyanne - Kumquat #1

Lyanne turned 3 last Dec 31st. Phew! She's 3. Time flies. She's not as chatty as Lydia, special in her own way. Handy in the kitchen, loves podding beans, peeling chestnuts and make cookies! And once she comes in to help, she stays until the end. Sweet girl. She just started Kindergarden, in a 4 year old class, but she's just 3 years and 5 days old. I worried..but I think she's doing fine. She loves school.

She loves elephants. So, I made her an elephant cake. I was hoping it'll be something like Elly of Pocoyo. It wasn't very much like Elly, but haha, a cousin of mine said it's Elly the moment she saw it. So, I think.... I think... I think I am successful .. I think.

Happy Chinese New Year and a Fortnight of Break

Dear Readers,

I've finally got all my goodies prepared and done! 5 more days to Reunion dinner and 6 more to the first day of CNY. Very near already!!
I have baked another 3 more cookies, peanut cookies, Goiabinhas and Sugar cookies.
Sorry I don't have the time to post up the two new cookies, maybe next time.
Today I'm baking Prune Layer Cake for an aunt to bring back to New Zealand after CNY.


I still have to do this

1. start cleaning the house
Yes, not yet, not time.. plus I don't have a maid to do this for me while I cook and bake. I'm the maid!

2, Stuff the fridge full with ingredients
Preparing for the reunion dinner and to anticipate another gathering with my buddies ont he 4th day. They are expecting a feast at my place! *Faint*

3. fill up angpow
I am always late for this, doing it just the day before. I guess I must do it earlier this year

4. Buy lots of Shandy and 100plus
Yesterday Jusco had Anglia Shandy at around RM25.. I think. But I heard they were all "sapu habis" within a short time.

5. And think of a cake for my mom whose birthday will be celebrated on day 1 CNY.
Headache! Fridge full and yet have to bake a few cakes....for mom, for my niece, for.......

What about u? How's ur To-Do list going on?

I'll be busy so I'll be on break for a fortnight.
I think you all will be too busy to read anything I post as well, hahahahah!

See you on 30th January 2012.

Sesame Beancurd Crisps 芝麻巧果 - CNY Crispies # 3

This is another traditional Chinese snack. There are 2 types, one is called DanSan 蛋散 and another QiaoGuo 巧果. You probably might have heard about the word DanSan from Southpark, Cantonese version. Cartman(fat boy) is known as Dansan in the translated version. Dansan is also used to describe someone who is useless. "Lei jek dansan la, zhan mou yoong!" 你只蛋散啦，真没用

What's the difference between these 2?

Woo Ha (Crispy Taro Shreds, Hong Kong Style) 港式芋虾 - CNY Crispies # 2

Woo Ha .... It literally translates as Taro Prawns. A Cantonese Chinese New Year Treat.

Is it almost extinct here? Is it so?

I'm not sure. But I think it's not very well known because it was super tedious to make. Very!!! And expensive too. Taros are not cheap.

Sesame Honeycomb Cookies - CNY Crispies # 1

Last year, I did a cookie week for CNY, this year and Fried-Up week. Hopefully next year when CNY lands on end of February, I'll be doing a Dried Up week for CNY, because the sky is blue and air is dry when January begins.. right up until end of February.

Pepita and Cranberry Granola Bars - Bars Week # 3

Initially I wanted to submit this to Swee San's Red/Green event. But, it didn't turn out as green or as red as I hoped for. So, I scraped the idea.

Dried Berries Rocky Road with White Chocolate - Bars Week # 2

I made this for Lydia's Year End School (Kindergarden) Party. Being in a small town, it's something new for everybody, including me that has never eaten anything "rocky road". The teachers told me it was very good  (and special... and you may go nah) and every kid loved it. And the best time to try making such sweet stuff is when you have a large group of kids to feed. *evil grin*

Apricot and Raisin Bars - Bars Week #1

Recipe tried out in May 2011



Happy New Year! Err, a day late! Lyanne will start kindergarden this year and her first day will be on the 5th. I'm sure dear readers who are parents will be busy at this time of the year, especially those with new schoolers.

I'll start the ball rolling with Bars Week