White Chocolate Raisin Cookies II (The Christmas Version)

How was your Christmas? Mine was spent indulging on my nephew's toes. No, not really. I'm just best buds with him right now.

Anyhows, everyone on blogger-sphere is doing some sort of Christmas cookie and I wanted to join in the fun too.

A while ago when I did a white chocolate raisin cookie recipe- it was crunchy, but somehow lacked in the looks department. I like cookies in any manner- as long as they're freshly baked. Psychologically they taste better, I like tasting them while they're still warm and soft from the oven and harder when they cool. And, the house smells divine.


This time I wanted a soft-melt in your mouth sort of recipe, trying the slice and bake method.

White Chocolate Raisin Cookies II (Christmas Version)
adapted from Women's Weekly Cupcakes Cheesecakes Cookies


250g Butter softened
1/2 cup Icing Sugar
2 cups(300g) Cake Flour (you may use plain flour, just that I didn't have any on hand)
1/2 cup (75g) Rice Flour**
1/3 cup (50g) Cornflour
2 tablespoons Milk
1/3 cup (50g) Raisins
200g White Chocolate Couverture chopped
100s & 1000s for decoration


1. Beat butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Sift the 3 flours. Add raisins and white chocolate. Stir into butter mixture in two batches.
3. Add milk.
4. Knead until smooth. Divide mixture in half and roll into 25cm logs. Wrap each log with baking paper, sprinkle with 100s & 1000s, roll the log and refrigerate until firm (approximately 1 hour).
5.Preheat oven to 150C fan forced and line baking trays with baking paper.
6. Cut logs into 1cm slices and bake for 20 minutes.

*Note: I'd omit the icing sugar if I had the 100s & 100s sprinkles next time.- I thought it was a tad too sweet.

**I ran out of rice flour and used glutinous rice flour instead. Worked out fine.This is great for storing in the fridge and baking when you need it.

I think I found the perfect recipe for Chinese New Year.

Mrs Incredible

Part of being a domestic goddess and incredible wife is saving money- on things like wrapping.


Ok, I completely made that up. I'm just stingy and not willing to spend dosh on dodgy looking Christmas wrapping paper OR buy beautiful wrapping paper at exorbitant prices.

So guess what I did? I mean, this tops the list of stingy- but it works. Especially when you know your recipient is no Martha Stewart and keeps wrapping paper for recycling.


Wrap the present in plain white paper, graffiti design it, tie a ribbon...TA DAA!! Its easier than stamping and you could write any ala carte message on it. Super. Done in a jiffy.


Note of Disclaimer: Please don't use such wrapping advice if your recipient is super sensitive about wrapping. I think this wrapping method only works for spouses.


Ps. I once heard of a man who asked for his gift balloons to be wrapped. Who wraps balloons? I mean fully inflated balloons!! Wrapped!! Seriously?! Please don't be that man. I beg you.

Where Frosty Doesn't Come

It's hard to resist Christmas. I'm living in a place where Frosty would melt in two seconds and there'd never be a white Christmas, but I just can't help but enjoy the happy spirit- that, or I look forward to new years - I haven't quite worked it out yet.

H and I had a cuppa at Starbucks. If my sister read my blog, she'd snicker 'Neh, over-rated coffee.' Which to some extent I agree. In my mind [ and note I'm no coffee connoisseur], the best coffees are from kopi-tiams. The Asian scaled down version of Western cafes and coffee is filtered through coffee stockings. They're strong, bold and plain old kopi- coffee. No frills. Real deal.

But then again, I guess places like Starbucks offer frilly coffee- by that I mean whipped cream, caramel lattes, hazelnut flavours and so fourth. Being a foodie, I can't help but try new flavours. Things that could potentially excite my taste buds and make me go oohhh!. Its the whole coffee and cake phenomenon, the commercialised chill factor and cashing in on events like Christmas.

And I fall for it. Bad. I go to Starbucks for exactly all those frilly bits. I get sucked into having things like toffee bits on top of my latte. Apparently a limited edition Christmas drink.

Yes, these toffee bits that delicately lay above the foamy cream.

And I totally lose myself when there's chocolate- this case, Caramel Chocolate Cake. The exact piece I forced H to share with me- just so I dont feel as guilty. We succumb to the chocolate sensation, the flavour gently melting in our mouths silencing us for atleast a few minutes.  Ahhhh....

Merry Christmas everyone!

When Thomas is part of my Vocab

Recently I've befriended a pretty wicked bunch. I've never met anyone like quite like them.

Thomas. Percy. Ernie. Bert. Jeff. Yes, all introduced by my 2 1/2 year old nephew. I now know that Thomas the Tank Engine is blue,

Percy is Green,

Bert-the egghead is significantly taller than Ernie and Jeff, well..he's the purple Wiggle.

Oh! And I go to sleep singing Toot toot Chugga Chugga Big red car..and I wake up seeing The Big Red car thrown in some odd manner around the living room- evidence my nephew was there the day before.

Then I see my nephew and start acting like a monkey, throwing my arms around to make him laugh, squishing my face together just to get a reaction and wave 'hi' [complete with flabby grandma arms] like a imbecile. And just when I think I've got enough of his attention, he kisses me, I go all gooey inside and start acting like a idiot all over again.

Kids. Hmph.

So slow, so me, so sorry.

Nearly a year after I've gotten married and I still haven't written my thank yous. Well, does writing 4 cards and figuring out I'm not writing anymore count? I do plan to mail them, I promise. But by the time it comes to you, it's most probably my anniversary. I know, my bad.

I've got a annoyingly organised friend who always manages to write her thank yous within a few days- I even told her not to give me a thank you for her baby's birthday since I haven't given mine -which are long overdue. These type of people should be sent to the moon, they're not suppose to live with normal people like me. Serious. They make me look bad.

It took me 9 months to make my photo album! - thats basically getting pregnant and giving birth - just that I gave birth to a book. And the only reason I gave birth to the book was because there was a enormous discount for photobooks, otherwise I may of been able to get literal-ly pregnant twice over.

Anyhows, a few years ago I did a photobook from a online shop- program. I loved how easy it was and how professional it looked. I decided to do another one for my wedding album. One that I could personalise and wasn't too bulky to carry around. I learnt that lesson from my pre-wedding photo album- it was too bulky and heavy that I haven't opened it up since our wedding.

I like coffee-table type books. They're convenient for handling and storage.

I went with Photobook.my this time. Boy was I impressed.

Bound nicely..

The colours turned out how I imagined..

Layouts could be formatted any-which-way..

And it's totally personalised.

Adding to this, I had a great discount- followed by great service and it was mailed promptly. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to document their special moments. I've even thought of collecting great recipes in such manner.

If you're interested, pop over to www.photobook.com.my- and if you type MYHOLIDAY40 you get 40% discount!! Just to re-assure you- I don't get any royalties, I'm just a satisfied customer whos finally done her wedding album.

One Life

I first heard of World Vision in primary school. Those days, there were seniors who did the 40-hour famine and collected donations. Then I heard of child sponsoring and got to understand more about helping people in poverty and injustice.

A few days ago, World Vision did a great exhibit called One Life Revolution promoting the knowledge of AIDS/HIV and child trafficking. You can read more about it here.

It's a great exhibition providing a interactional experience. Visitors get to walk through on a specific child's life narrated through photos,scenes and audio castings.

Without giving too much away, I experienced the life of a Cambodian girl named Srey Mon. She is HIV positive, but lives a better life today due to World Vision.

And here's my brother-in-law, volunteering for the One Life exhibit- walking around giving free hugs amoungst other things. Aww.

If you would like to know more or show your support, visit www.worldvision.com.my (or any other country).

Tres Leche..I think.

Is it morally wrong to give chooks their own by-products?

Like..if I bake a cake, the cake has eggs and assuming (and I do mean assuming...) the cake was a flop and I fed the chook the flop-cake, does that make me subject to Greenpeace? I mean, the chooks loved every bit of it -I swear! They ate, they chirped,cockadoodled and did their birdwalk thing, so I'm sure they're happy and all. Really.

Because I made Tres Leche Cake. Well, I think I did anyway. Because I've never eaten it before, just that it looked like this-

image from www.thepioneerwoman.com

... sounded great and appealed to my brain..my tastebuds...whatever.

But err..mine looked like this-

... tasted like a sweet omelette and was loved by chickens. The cake rose, fell, got drenched in the milks, went totally overboard in the sugar department and was thoroughly enjoyed by chooks.

And I'm sorry I just spoiled your appetite for the week. I really thought long and hard about whether such photos should be posted on my blog. I did. Really. And, I'm sorry. 

Its all sounding a bit wrong. But I think I've totally got the recycling thing going. I mean, chicken- egg, egg-chicken..bleh....you know what I mean.

Free Range?

My mum's currently rearing some chooks.  5 to be precise. Its pretty nifty I reckon. It's our say against those farming battery chicks.

The chickadees don't have a coop or anything. So they're pretty much free range and organic- no awful stuff like growth hormones or unknown injections. Well, technically they're not 100% free range,because err...they are attached via a nylon string. But I don't think its anything that concerning, they still get to run around a fair bit..

So much so that one decided to go totally free range..it escaped the mighty strings and err..decided to find another abode amoungst my mum's mango trees. Its the one that got away.

I say chooks are a snobby bunch. They always give me their rear end. Like Blackie here nearly always goes the opposite direction. Hmm..I wonder why?!

I haven't worked out the names for them yet..but we have quite a bunch of hot chicks.

2 Weeks 'Til Christmas

Hey, where did 2009 go?

Ahh..but its the spirit of giving.. and if you're anything like me that scrunges on things like gift tags (you can always save the dosh for the pressies)..here's a few simple ones I did over lunch. Nothing elaborate, just print them onto A4 paper-card/coloured/plain and cut on the lines. Done.

Merry Christmas!! ..I've been good all year!

Oh My!

5:00am- I haven't woken up this early since..I got married? And it feels mighty good.

I went to sleep the night before at Fat Cat time. Actually, is Fat Cat still alive? - You know, the big cartoon feline with red overalls that appear (or shall I say appeared) on Channel 7- when I was a kid ofcourse.

I only did something constructive for my tummy though- which meant eating at the morning markets. Ahhh...rice noodles and a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Aroma Love! I could get use to this!

And just incase you're wondering, I haven't been taking much photos because
a) H nicked the camera for his outstation trip last week, and:
b) I'm still lazy!

Could I tempt you with this?

Kamo Shio-Grilled Duck

Or this?

Soft Shell Crab Handroll

Or possibly this?

Touzani- Pork

Some soba perhaps?

Ume Ten Soba

More soba?

Oyako Soba

And finish off with green tea ice cream and mochi?

Because if you're anything even remotely like me, looking at these photos will make you salivate. Reminsce about the abundance of tastes and textures, and then think 'Darn, why I can't I be in Singapore right now?'

And just incase you happen to be there, I ate like a glutton at:

Shimbashi Soba

Paragon, Level B1

Singapore

PG Rated

The next time I'm going to watch a movie in the public, it will have to be PG rated, filled with cartoons or Disney produced or something.

Because the world just turns you [ well, me] upside down sometimes. I'm a wimp now. I cry. In movies.

Excuse me, did you hear? I said- I cry, In movies!

I never use to cry. Who cries in movies? Who cares if Danny Glover dies on film?

I did. I took out my Kleenexes when I was watching 2012. I think its one of those moments where H thinks 'silly wife'  and shakes his head in disbelief he married me. Me! But then, he's too attached to the movies he doesn't notice I cry. Most of the time anyway. Thank goodness. But err..does it make it any better if I told you his friends noticed I cried? Does that make me any better or worse of a wife? Hmmm...

Well, all in all I loved 2012. It was epic. Something uncanny and surreal about it too. And for those who cry in movies, bring a box or two of Kleenex and forget about the mascara. Second thoughts, keep emergency numbers on hand too, because your heart will be palpitating faster than you on a treadmill.

Peek here.

Soft 'N Spongy

Thirteen years ago I took my first trip alone to Japan for a school exchange programme. It was horrible! I had motion sickness and basically spilled my guts out. The poor Japanese girl sitting besides felt so sorry for me she started patting me on the back, handing me tissues and calling the stewardess- who then gave me like a million vomit bags. I got off the plane in a horrible state hoping that Japanese girl would never see me again- how embarassing! Anyway, I was soon tucked under warm blankets by my host family and all was well.

..Technically...

....until they introduced me to Japanese cakes. Then I got into trouble.

Japanese cakes are just too soft and the cream is just too fresh. Their fault really. I mean, why can't they make cakes just like any other country does? Why do they have to make theirs extra soft? Extra creamy? Just isn't right really.

Fast forward one decade and hail Singapore- Arinco King. I found the soft cotton creamy cakes in Singapore on my last trip at Ion. Going to Singapore just isn't healthy.

There's so much to choose from. Which one? I actually wanted this..

But it was a tad too big and I wasn't that greedy...

So I got my Caramel Sand instead and just about salivated when the girls were making it..

Then I just about melted in all its sugar creamy-ness when I got hold of this.

So if you, like me, get reminded of a particular country because of a certain food- you gotta try Arinco for Japanese cakes.

Ps. H tried the Matcha Sand flavour which is just as loveable.

Arinco King

Ion Orchard

#B4-60

White Chocolate Raisin Cookies

Hi blog, I know I've abandoned you lately- no excuses, no reasons- I just went missing because I had a bad case of lazy bones. I know you'd understand. But to be extra nice I baked you cookies. Well, I get to eat them but hey I'm sharing. Sharing is caring.

So..err..anyhows..

I love the smell of freshly baked cookies. I love how the sweetness lingers in the air. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy before I grunt out 'COO-KIEEEEEE!' much like the blue furry monster found on Sesame Street.

White Chocolate Raisin Cookies

50g Raisins
200g White Cooking Chocolate, chopped into pieces (or you can use chocolate chips)
40g Icing Sugar
110g Softened Butter
130g Plain Flour
1 egg yolk
Sprinkle of Bicarbonate Soda

1. Preheat oven to 180 Celcius.
2. Cream butter and icing sugar until fluffy.
3. Slowly add plain flour and bicarbonate soda, mixing until even. Then add egg yolk.
4. Stir raisins and chocolate into the mixture ad refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. Shape into small balls and place on tray. Flatten each cookie with a fork.
6. Bake for 20 minutes or until slightly browned.

Cool off cookies before storing into air tight containers or if you're like me- you'll gobble them while they're still soft and shout 'COO-KIEEEE!!!'

Meet Ms Grumpy

If you're grumpy and you know it clap your hands ** If you're grumpy and you know it clap your hands ** If you're grumpy and you know it then you really ought to show it, If you're grumpy and you know it clap your hands**


No one should be around me these few days. I'm edgy,grumpy and annoyed at everything. I had a sore throat, which transcended into a cold and now a cough. I can get evil, very evil because I haven't been having a good night's sleep since I don't know when.

I've drank herbal teas, weird concoctions and wicked potions, befriended Strepsils and tissues. I might as well attach a tissue box to my neck.

I've slept with my head propped up; face up, face down, face side..you name it and I've tried it. 

I'm a sore sight too. Dark eye bags and a real grumpy face. I'm not a nice person at the moment. Really.

My brain's kinda stuck too. But atleast I came up with a grumpy song.

Ohhh...go awayyyyy...!!

Loveboard

I like graffiting drawing on surfaces. Any surface. From napkins, to scraps to toes. It releases my endorphins. Its therapeutic. Really.

H is glad I finally found my permanent drawing board [I only sacrificed his toes once!] Precisely, our Loveboard. It's where we scribble, leave silly messages and write our love notes.

If I may say so, I am falling in love with our Loveboard. It cleans easily, doesnt leave any residue or dust and I dont need to waste any paper in the process.

But I guess I'm also causing H to have a minor heart failure. And I stress it should only be minor. ..Well, we kind of have alot of glass and some mirrors at the new house- and he can fully visualise his somewhat crazy wife sabotaging all such surfaces.

I promise I'll just stick to one glass panel...or maybe 2? 3?...Ok....4! 4! I settle at 4 and promise I wont draw on other areas.

Wanna see my rocks?

My rocks are up! My rocks are up!

Ok, so it isn't that amazing but atleast something got done and my drawings are finally in it's realization. I'm finally starting to see the end of this house building journey especially now that the paintwork is being finished up.

If you notice,our wall is painted too. First coat only though. Kinda whitish though the real colour is 'Purple Lint'- it's really a grey tint with a purple name...hmm.

Oh..and this is a looong story. But its the beginning of a glass roof covering my entrance porch. I'll tell you the story if you ever visit, but meanwhile, H dubs it as a steel pole with a Ultraman hat! - Not as per my drawings mind you!! Guess our contractor didnt have his thinking cap on when installing this baby.

Hawker Food- Miri Style

I haven't been quite fair to Miri- I realised I've just about never posted much on the eats and treats here when I blog so much more about other places. In all honesty, its most probably because I look a tad weird if I bring out my camera. I'll most probably get so much gawking I'd be more eager to stuff my camera in my bag.

A few days ago I felt brave. Camera brave. [Stuff the gawking, oohs and ahhs, I'll just pretend I'm a journalist of some sort.] So if you're in Miri and see me in a awkward pose photographing food, just ignore me.  

Now, you really haven't been to Miri if you've missed out what the locals know as 'Open Air'. This market, officially known as Miri Central Market is not only known for fresh local produce, but has a variety of good eats. I could go there everyday. Seriously. They have what I think is the best coffee too!

This Sunday, we went for:

Curry Rice. (Ah Sen Curry Rice-5th Stall) You know something is good when their income relies soley on one dish. Their rice is served with a good dashing of curry or meat sauce accompanied by chicken, char siew and marinated pork. Run by a team of siblings, this stall has been around since I was a kid. But don't come if youre in hurry- because good food needs waiting!

You Tiao (Street facing corner stall, Kueh area) - Otherwise known as You Char Kueh. I love it with kaya or sweet yellow bean soup. RM 1 for 4 pieces. A family stall recipe passed down from generations. Many times if I head to the market at a later time, the stall won't even be around anymore as they've packed their goods and are done for the day.

Head down early and be prepared for a little sweat. Its all worth it I promise.


Miri Central Market
Between Brooke Road and Jalan Kingsway