Tasty Pineapple Tarts

With raya just around the corner, I guess there couldnt be a better time to share cookies recipes..

I went to the baking class with Poji sometime back. We found that the chef will be teaching how to make cheese tarlets (which we both love) and pineapple tarts. I've been trying the latter a few times but had not been satisfied with the results. I even went to my sister Leli's house to see how she had it made .. maybe it was the teacher (I mean, it couldnt be me!) but my pineapple tarts pastry seem too hard..

Anyway. After attending the class I had tried the recipe twice more and both times Eirfan just cant let go of the cookie jar. What I love most about cooking is when I get responses like that. So here's how the chef made her pineapple tarts.

Ingredients
For the pastry ~
200g salted butter
50g icing sugar
1 egg yolk
30g fresh milk (evaporated milk works as well)
30g custard powder
270g all purpose flour

Egg yolk (for egg wash)

For the jam ~
1 pineapple (grated)
1 cinnamon stick
150g castor sugar
4 cloves

Method:
For the jam :
1. Put all ingredients in a wok. Over a slow fire cook till it turns golden brown. Stir often. Cool.
2. Once cool, shape into oval shapes with fingers. Set aside.

For the dough:
1. Beat butter and icing sugar till light and creamy.
2. Add egg and milk. Beat.
3. Add in flour. Mix well.
4. Put into pineapple tart mould and pipe into long lines. Place jam onto the dough. Roll the dough into a rolled tart. Brush egg onto the tart.
5. Bake at 170degrees for 20 mins.

Makes about 75 - 80 pieces; depending on the size. Do try; the recipe works fabulously.

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Pecan Supremes

Pecan by itself doesnt excite me overly much actually. But there is one pecan biscuits off the racks that I like but it so costs the earth. And I also love butter pecan ice cream at Baskin Robbins.

I wanted to try something with pecans and oats for quite sometime and I found this recipe in Mrs Fields cookie book. Now this recipe book I first saw in KLCC. And then later when I was in Florida I enquired about the book but it seem that particular outlet is not aware about it. I purchased the book in 2000 in BSC Bangsar - it was almost christmas (was it - or was it raya?) - whilst out shopping with Ginny. I tried a couple of recipes in the book and they turned quite alright (how bad could I be? I had the book for 8 years and I've tried only a couple..?)

Anyway. I like this cookie as it is light (credit goes to the oats) but unfortunately Eirfan said my usual choc chips tastes better and the others are already so blase about cookies anyway. I think I'll do this for the upcoming raya anyway.

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup quick oats
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup salted butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Combine flour, soda, salt & oats. Mix well. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl beat sugars and butter to form a grainy paste.
3. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat till light and fluffy.
4. Add the flour mixture, pecan and chips. Beat until just combined. Do not over mix.
5. Drop dough into cookie sheet. Bake at 180 degrees in a preheated oven for about 12 minutes.

Enjoy. And the image is from here.

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The Best Choc Chip Ever! (At least That's What I Think)

When the children were small, a friend of mine called them cookie monsters (like in Sesame Street). & they truly adored chocolate chip cookies.

All their lives I've been making these cookies, throwing out recipes one after another once I found a recipe that tastes better than the previous I have tried. And I've tried many, believe me. These days I dont try them as much - the children are so blasé about choc chips anyway (except for Amos' or those great ones by Peppridge Farm if I am not mistaken..)

So if you love choc chip cookies, try this recipe:

250g butter, chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
2/3c (130g) firmly packed brown sugar
2/3c (150g) castor sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 1/2c (375g) plain flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
1/2c (60g) chopped walnuts, toasted (if you like)
2 cups chocolate chip cookies

1. Beat butter, essence, sugars & eggs until smooth.
2. Stir in dry ingredients and mix.
3. Stir in nuts and choc chips and mix well.
4. Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheet.
5. Bake about 10 - 12 mins in a preheated oven (180degrees C)

Enjoy!!

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