Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

What a Merry Christmas and New Year we had, enjoying these crisp, buttery, cut-out cookies which brought out the kid in anyone who tasted them. These creative extravaganza was an inspiration from Renee who consider the cookies a blank canvas for her sweetest artistic skills - with my help of course.

This recipe is for HIGH ALITITIDE and made with all-purpose flour which is moderately strong although cake flour is softer and contains less protein, and makes a more tender cookie, but at high elevations, cake flour made this recipe too soft, so that it needed extra flour or chilling to get to the right consistency or it will  spread too much when baked. The cookies are perfectly tender using all-purpose flour when you roll them thin.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla or almond extract

2 3/4 cups all-purpose, plus extra for rolling out

3/4 tsp baking powder(for friends who reside at sea-level - use 1 tsp)

1 tsp salt

Glaze:

1 egg white or whole egg, beaten

1 tsp water

Icing:

2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract or fresh lemon juice

2 - 3 tbsp milk or water as needed

Food colorings

Method:

Divide the oven into thirds and position the racks. Preheat the oven at 350 f .

Line Cookie sheets with baking parchment or nonstick baking mats or light coat with butter.

In the large bowl of an electric mixer, preferably with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until well blended. Beat in eggs, one at a time and vanilla, then scrape down the bowl and beater. Remove the bowl from the mixer stand.

Place a sifter over the bowl and measure the flour, baking powder and salt into it. Stir/sift the dry ingredients onto the egg mixture, then beat with a sturdy spoon or the electric mixer on the lowest speed until well incorporated. Form the dough into a ball. If it feels too sticky, add 1 or 2 tbsps flour, until it is easier to handle (in very hot weather, if dough still feels too soft, divide it into four pieces, shape into flat disks and refrigerate in a plastic bag until firm).

Work with about one-third to one-half of the dough at a time and keep the rest in the refrigerator. For ease in handling, using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out each portion of the dough about 1/8 inch thick on a piece of baking parchment or on a Silpat or other baking mat fitted to a coookie sheet. Dip the cookie cutters in flour to prevent sticking, and thhen cut out shapes. Use the tip of a knife to help lift and peel away the between-cookie bits, leaving the cookies in place. Slide the parchment or other liner with the cut-out cookies onto a cookie sheet.

Gather the dough scraps together, reroll, and cut out more cookies.

Alternatively, roll out the dough on a lightly floured counter, cut out the cookies, and use a broad spatula to transfer them to a prepared cookie sheet.

If desired, brush each cookie with a little egg glaze(egg white makes a clear glaze, whole egg gives a golden color) and sprinkle with finely chopped nuts, cinnamon, or sugar. Or you can decorate the cookies with icing after baking and cooling.

Bake the cookies for 8 - 12 minutes or until they look slightly golden around the edges. If baking seems uneven, rotate the pans back to front in the oven halfway through the baking time.

Cool cookies on a wire rack. If cookies were baked on parchment or baking mat, simply slide it off the cookie sheet onto the wire rack to cool.

If using the icing, mix it while the cookies cool. When the cookies are completely cooled, spread on the icing with a butter knife. Or put some of each color in a plastic bag, seal the top(s) and cut a tiny hole in one corner of each bag with scissors. If you want a carefully controlled fine line, drop a metal decorating tip into the corner of the bag before adding the icing. Squeese the icing out of the bag to make designs. Leave the decorated cookies on the wire racks to air-dry the icing. At sea-level, this can take an hour or more, at higher altitudes, the icing will dry more quickly. When the icing is hard, store the cookies in an airtight container, separated by layers of wax paper or plastic wrap.

Method of icing:

Combine the butter, sifted sugar and vanilla or lemon juice in a medium bown and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.

Add enough milk or water a drop at a time to make the icing smooth enough to spread. If desired, put a couple of tablespoons of plain icing in each of several cups and stir a scat drop of color into each, then add more color a tiny bit at a time if necesarry. Cover unused icing (especially at high altitudes) with plastic wrap, to prevent it from drying out.

Serves

Forever Friends

I am very honored to be a friend to tt who, being so young and yet so knowledgable in cooking and baking, has put in the highest ranking in 'The Hall of Shame'.

I would like to pass this on to my really really good friends

Little Corner of Mine

Do What I Like

Simple Pleasures

Tahai

East Meet West Kitchen

Yin-Yang Cookie

Originating in the early Han dynasty, around the time of the birth of Christ, yin and yang are two opposing yet complementary principles or forces such as light (yang) and dark (yin), or wealth and poverty. The shape of the black-and-white symbol that in Chinese philosophy represents the understanding of how the universe works. To me, when i think of yin-yang , it is balance and harmony and what better way to honor the new year than with harmony and balance in our universe. So, instead of wishing for prosperity, i will serve all my friends, yin-yang cookies and wish them harmony and balance. YIN-YANG, -YIN-YANG

Ingredients:

Vanilla Dough

2 1/2 cups(12 1/2 oz) unbleached all-purpose flour

3/4 cup (5 1/2 oz)superfine sugar(process granulated sugar until superfine)

1/4 tsp salt

16 tbsp(2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 16 pieces, softened but still cool

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 tbsp cream cheese, at room temperature

1 tsp cream of tartar

1/2 tsp baking soda

Cocoa Dough

2 cups(10 oz) unbleached all-purpose flour

3/4 cup(2 1/2 oz0 cocoa

3/4 cup (5 1/2 oz)superfine sugar(process granulated sugar until superfine)
1/4 tsp salt
16 tbsp(2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 16 pieces, softened but still cool
2 tsp vanilla essence
2 tbsp cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 tsp baking soda

Decoration:

Black and White sesame seeds

Method:

For the vanilla dough:

In the bowl of a standing mixer or with a handheld mixer, mix the flour, sugar, and salt at low speed until combined.

With the mixer running on low, add the butter 1 piece at a time; continue to mix until the mixture looks crumbly and slightly wet. Add vanilla and cream cheese and mix on low until the dough just begins to form large clumps.

Knead the dough by hand in the bowl for 2 to 3 turns to form a large, cohesive mass. Turn the dough out onto a work surface; divide it into 6 equal parts and roll into a 1 inch log. Let dough rest in fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Cocoa Dough

Follow the same method for Vanilla Dough

To make Yin Yang Cookies

Throughout the process it’s best to work with the vanilla (the yang) dough first to keep it free of chocolate (the yin) flecks.

Imagine a 3-D apostrophe when shaping each dough log into its half of the cookie — that’s what a cross section should look like..
To create the shape, slice the log into half horizontally then use the handle of a wooden spoon to tip slightly off center on the log making a depression along the length of the log. Then gently flatten the smaller side and round up the bigger side.

The two logs fit together like pieces of a puzzle, and you solidify the connection by smoothing the seams and rolling them together. Put in the fridge for 30 minutes and then slice into 1/4 inch thick cookies.

Dab a little egg white on the spot where the sesame seeds should be.

Bake at 375 f preheated oven for 8 - 10 minutes

Serves

Snail Buns

These delicately flavored steamed buns are so named because they are shaped like snails. They are often deep-fried until golden brown after having been steamed. Either way, snail buns are excellent as a subsitute for rice. This recipe defers slightly from 'Flower Buns' and has less ingredients and the texture is just as soft.



Ingredients:

Basic Yeast Dough:

1/4 cup sugar

2 cups water

2 tsp instant yeast

6 cups unbleached all purpose flour

2 tbsp shortening

2 tsp double action baking powder plus 1 tsp water

Snail Buns:

1 recipe of basic yeast dough

1/4 cup melted lard plus 1/4 cup melted butter plus 1/2 cup sugar(creamed to a paste)

1/4 cup minced cooked ham or grated carrot and /or chopped spring onions

Method:

Basic Yeast Dough :

Mix all the ingredients except the baking powder, to a rough dough, turn the mixture out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 - 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.(if it is very sticky, knead in 1/4 cup additional flour - the dough should be soft)

Lightly grease a bowl with oil and place the dough in the bowl. Turn it so that all sides of the dough are coated.

Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise for 4 hours in a warm area, free from drafts.

Uncover the dough, punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.

Flatten the dough and make a well in the center. Place the baking powder solution in the well and gather up the edges around the baking powder to enclose it. Pinch the edges to seal.

Lightly knead the dough to incorporate the baking powder evenly.

Note:

The dough should be used immediately. If that is not possible, punch down the dough after the 4 hours rise, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to proceed.

Snail Buns:

Prepare the basic yeast dough as directed and cut it in half.

On a lightly surface, roll out each half to form a rectangle approximately 10 by 14 inches and 1/6 inch thick. Spread the surface of one rectangle with half the lard, butter and sugar mixture. Starting with one of the long exges, roll up the rectangle jelly-roll-style. Pinch the two ends to seal the dough; lightly flatten the roll with the heel of your hand. Cut the roll crosswise into thin shreds. Separate the shreds into 15 groups, and let them rest.

Repeat the process for the other rectangle.

Gather up each group of shreds, and lightly stretch, wrapping them Maypole-style around your index finger and thumb. Tuck the end underneath to secure.

Repeat the procedure for all the shreds and arrange the shaped buns 1 inch apart on several steamer trays that have been lined with wet cheesecloth or with parchment paper punched with holes.

Sprinkle the tops with the minced ham or grated carrot and/or chopped spring onions, and let the buns rise for 15 minutes, covered.

Fill a wok with water level with the bottom edge of a steamer tray and heat until boiling. Place one tray of buns over the boiling water, cover, and steam for 15 minutes over high heat. Remove, and steam the remaining buns in the same manner.

To reheat, steam the buns for 5 minutes over high heat.

Serves

Kok Chai/Mini Peanut Puffs

These are must-have for the Chinese New Year and they are so good, it is worth the time spend in making these tiny mini puffs.

KOONG HEI FATT CHOY/HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR


Ingredients:

300 gm. all purpose flour

70 gm. rice flour

120 gm. margarine or butter or lard

90 - 100 ml. cold water

1 large egg

Filling:

225 gm. roasted peanuts - skinned and chopped fine

3 Tbsp. roasted sesame seeds - crushed

120 gm. fine granulated sugar

50 ml. oil (preferably peanut oil)

Oil for deep-frying

Method:

For pastry:

Using the food processor, pulse magarine , flour and rice flour till it becomes breadcrumbs like.

Add water , beaten egg and pulse into a pliable dough.

Rest for 15 mins.

For filling:

Mix all the ingredients together.

To make the puffs:

Use the pasta machine to roll pastry into a thin sheet and cut into 1 3/4 - 2 inches rounds.

Put in 1/2 tsp of filling into the center of cut pastry and wrap up filling . Pinch edges neatly.

Heat up oil for deep-frying peanut puffs and fry till golden brown using medium heat.

Remove and drain onto kitchen towel.

Let it cool before storing into containers.

Serves

Golden Flower Buns

Frying transforms Steamed Flower Buns into a totally new dish; the crisp, golden crust contrasts nicely with the flufy lightness of the steamed interior. I was told by my friend, Agnes, that these fried buns are very popular in Singapore and they are served with Chilli Crabs. In her recent party, she made Chilly Crabs and i told her that i will make the Golden Flower buns and they turned out so good that guests just ate them straight.


Ingredients:

1 recipe Flower Buns - refer here http://lilyng2000.blogspot.com/2005/05/flower-buns.html

2 cups peanut/cooking oil

Method:

Heat oil, add the oil, and heat the oil to 350 f.

Add 2 or 3 of the buns, depending on the size of the wok, and deep fry, turning constantly, until the loaves are golden brown.

Remove and let drain on a cake rack placed on a kitchen-towel-lined baking sheet.

Deep fry the remaining buns in the same manner.

Serve immediately

Serves

Double Sided Gold Noodle/Leong Mean Wong

This dish is all about the noodles. Noodles fried in this manner excite your palate with crispy and soft texture at one go. The topping does not have to be seafood, this noodles go well with whatever topping you can dish up - anything available except the kitchen sink.


Ingredients:

1 pound dried thick egg noodles
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1/2 lb choy sum , cut into bite-sized pieces
1 lb of mixed seafood - salt and pepper just before browning
1 tablespoon sesame oil

2 cup stock

1 tbsp cornstarch dilute with 2 tbsp water

1 tbsp shao xing wine
Cooking oil for frying
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Boil noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain and combine with sesame oil to keep strands from sticking together.

Heat a large, flat-bottomed non-stick pan over medium-high heat covered well with oil. When oil is hot, add noodles in an even layer, covering the bottom of the pan. Let cook, without moving, until golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. When browned, flip and brown the other side, adding a touch more oil to pan. (To flip noodles, put a big plate over pan and flip pan. Then slide the noodles back to the pan)

Meanwhile, in a wok over high heat coated lightly with oil, brown scallops on both sides, dish out and leave aside. Do the same with all other seafood.

Reheat wok with a little more oil and add sliced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant. Add choy sum and stir-fry until tender-crisp.

Add in the stock and bring to the boil, thicken with cornstarch solution and lastly add in shao xing wine. Adjust the taste with salt and pepper.

To serve, gently place noodle cake on platter. Top with the seafood gravy, spreading to cover entire surface of noodles.

Serves