Gong xi fa cai, Gong xi fa cai

Wishing all my friends and readers a very happy Gong Xi Fa Cai.

Today is the 2^nd day of Chinese New Year in the year of Tiger. The Tiger symbolizes bravery, strength, determination and energy and I hope that like the Tiger, you will have the strength of mind and spirit and energy of the Tiger to meet any challenges that may be ahead and may you emerge victorious!

May the roar of the Tiger brings good luck, good health, prosperity, peace, love, calm and success to you and your family. Here’s wishing you “chut-yap-ping-onn” (Keep safe always), “shen-thai-keen-hong” (Good health always), “ma-tou-kung-seng” (Success), “pou-pou-kou-xing” (For those who are working, may you climb the corporate ladder with great success) and “sum-seong-see-sing” (May all your wishes come true).

I hope that this holiday also gives you the opportunity to foster better ties with your loved ones, family and extended family and relatives, your neighbors and friends too. It’s a great time to catch up with friends and old school-mates.

Have a blessed new year and stay safe.

As this year’s Chinese New Year also coincides with Valentine’s day, I’ll like to wish everybody a very Happy Valentine’s Day. Chap Goh Mei (the 15^th day of CNY is on 28^th Feb), it’s also the Chinese Valentine’s Day… don’t despair if you have missed the 14^th Feb, there’s always the 28^th Feb… J

Have a great week, or rather fortnight J.

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Butter Cookies

An all-time classic butter cookies that is buttery, tender yet slightly crisp and practically melt in your mouth. I’ve been searching for months and tried a few that left me even more determined to find a better one… till I stumbled on one but this was quite a few years ago. The ingredients are simple. I can’t remember the source but I’ve since adapted it, adjusting the sugar amount.

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Coffee Hazelnut Bites

I found Malaysians and some Asians are tempted by the aroma of coffee in their drinks, chilled dessert and baked goods. Probably that's why you see many Cafes mushrooming in addition to the traditional kopitiams.  And, I too began to include this flavor in some of my stuff and found it somewhat pleasing. I admit that coffee is growing on me… hmmm, am I turning to be a coffee person? J

Perhaps I shall experiment more…

I made some Coffee Hazelnut Bites last year for Chinese New Year and received favorable comments. Here’s the recipe, which I have made some adjustments.

Coffee Hazelnut Bites

(Coffee Hazelnut Cookies, original recipe by Chef William Tan)

175g butter

100g caster sugar

1 egg yolk

2/3 tbsp instant coffee powder dissolved in 1½ tbsp of boiling water (I use Nescafe classic)

45g ground hazelnut

225g + 2 tbsp self-rising flour

15g chocolate chips

1.      Beat butter and sugar till light and fluffy.

2.      Beat in egg yolk, coffee mixture.

3.      Stir in ground hazelnut

4.      Mix in flour till combined.

5.       Using a teaspoon, spoon dough, press and insert in 3 pcs of chocolate chips. Arrange on a greased baking sheet.

6.      Bake at 170C for 15 minutes. (I usually remove the tray after giving it 5 minutes once I the aromatic smell of coffee started reaching me). Do not overbake.

7.      Cool on wire tray and store in air-tight container.

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