Mouse Baked Alive In Our Home-Oven!

Partially, this post belongs to the previous posted post. An unfinished ramblings of baking goods, celebrations and the past. Speaking of the past, the eve and the actual celebration of this year's Chinese New Year was not really enjoyable and does not seem to be one. That was the term where distressing news arrived; grandma with her badly infected ulcer needed to be warded and hospitalized. It's a pity to see such an old-aged sub-consciously mumbles about the excruciating pain she had been suffering since the admittance. With frail movements and a stop to pant for more air, that was painful to see. Even more painful to withstand. A tough woman as all I know, may god blesses her all the time.


The days were gloomy and the celebration was not happily celebrated. Thus, cookie-making were not as much as what we have for the last time. Only some of the favorites were there to entertain the guests and shall we say, us. Most of the time, we visited grandma and it's pointless somehow, for guests to come over. We've celebrated the new year with grandma, that's the least that we can do for her.


The truth is; that is the only time we sincerely had a talk or two with her. Her existence and consciousness was very much appreciated and that is the time when I, myself had realized that I couldn't care less to share my thoughts and days with her when she's all good. Pathetic. Grandma is now all good, though she might have some breathing difficulties at times. We were grateful to have her with us, knowing that part of her blood does run through our veins.


Apart from pooches and our personal ramblings, we do speak of rodents too. Since this year is the year of rodent and mouse, we get in touch with other bakers and manage to get a pineapple tart recipe, which will be in the form of prosperous rodents. The mouse-look alike pineapple tart were small, moulded in bite-sized pieces. The tart was not as great as we've expected. We wanted a smoother and milky texture; the one that melts in your mouth kind of tart. As lazy as we usually are, the pineapple fillings were bought from the bakery supplies. Not a wow-tart after all, since the fillings aren't home-cooked.


The other mousse-look-alike cookie that made into our list of new year cookies were the one on top (shot above). These babies were made out of butter, flour, baking soda, finely grounded almonds and orange zests. Orange zests were used to spice things up, we were afraid that the cookie tasted too bland, hence here goes the zests.


Moulded the dough into an oval shaped-cookie, stuffing in chocolate rice to resemble the eyes and the nose of a mouse and lastly, two almond flakes for the ears! The rodents turned out flatter than they do before they were trapped into the oven. And we've missed out their tails. Let's put it this way, we've actually docked their tails. Ouch!


Mom had her best cookie on the mill too; almond cookies and groundnut cookies. Thus, the cashewnut cookies does not leave far behind too. The cookie was a normal shortbread cookie with addition of grounded cashewnut to it.


The grounded cashews were lightly toasted to enhance and to intensify the cashewnut flavor. The surface of the cookies were brushed twice with beaten egg yolks after each of the cookies were decorated with halved-cashewnuts. We love the egg-washed cookie's color though - golden brown.


The one with great crunchiness all over were these home-baked melting moments (shot above). The other name christened to these babies were cornflake-cherry cookies. The secret to a melt-in-your-mouth cookie is a sticky dough. Too much flour will only lead to bad repercussion; hard as a rock cookie. The cookie was a simple shortbread cookie. After rolling a cookie dough approximately 1 tablespoon in size, we rolled it onto a bowl filled with lightly crushed cornflakes. This ends with the cubed cherry as topping.


The shortbread was so crunchy and melts-in-your-mouth at the same time, we went crazy over the dough and came up with a simple chocolate chip and butter cookie; chocolate chip crunch. The cookie jar which was the home for sheltering the choc chip crunch lasted for 2 days. Much were gone into our stomachs. It was very buttery and crunchy. This was one of our favorite cookie of all. Yum!


The same shortbread cookie recipe for used for the M&Ms choc chip cookies. The only difference were the additions of handfuls of M&Ms. But we found out that the M&Ms was tad hard after the baking session. But the cookie was still good.


We have so much leftover cereals - cornflakes. We bumped into our CNY book recipe, and land our hands on this (shot above). The cornflake cups were easy and doesn't involve much work. We replaced the golden syrup over honey. Yum! Oh yeah, last but not least, happy belated CNY. This is so over. Like the old adage goes, better late than never.

Lavender Or Cocoa?

As appetizers, feast this!


This baby here do really reminds us of Colby, the red Miniature Pinscher.


Before my arrival here, Colby had been the prince and a baby to Fatass Michelle.


The perky ears of Colby stands out from the rest of his body parts, and that is how that mini attracted Fatass. Perky ears equals handsome.


One might wonder where on earth is he now. Happy to bark that he's been sent away due to his yappy and horny attitude, for that; he have been molesting Missy each and every day, and I've been taking over his role as Fatass's baby ever since then. (*Devilish Lame Signature Grin*)


We've been slacking off every now and then. And great to know that while we're typing this, we've totally forgotten that Pan Dulce is still heating up in the oven. Not for long, we'll be sinking our teeth into those C-grade Pan Dulce in a grosteque manner. As for today's long winded paw printed post, we'll get back to the basics; which is most likely making easy breezy pretty cookies. It might not be as pretty as the IT thing for now; cupcakes. Fatass Michelle and I got ourselves into mixing the lavender cookies dough and the chocolate infused truffles cookie dough.


As for the Lavender Cookies, the aroma was fairly too strong though only half a tablespoon of dried lavenders were added into the dough.


That is the actual starting point that we realized that Fatass had her own doggy sense too. From that cookie onwards, lavender is a no-no for the two of us. We choked whenever the baked cookie were placed under our nostrils.


After surfing throughout the net, we learn that the sugar needed for the cookie dough can be stored with half tablespoon of dried lavenders for a couple of days. By then, the sugar will be used as part of the lavender cookie's ingredient while the dried lavenders will be omitted and could be used again. Then, the aroma of the cookie wouldn't be real strong.


To make these dainty looking cookies looked a edible and pwetty, we topped them off with colored sugar. Any type of sugar will make them looked good - from coarse to super fine sugars. As lavenders are purple, there's no doubt that we, smart asses would be mixing the color purple with the sugars. A cup of sugar were mixed with 2-3 drops of one's favorable choice of coloring.


On the unbaked cookie dough, one can sprinkle the colored sugar on the cookie's surface. If time allows, you might want to try to sprinkle only one part of it. To create a contrast heart-shaped pattern, we used a smaller heart-shaped cookie cutter to assist the entire decorating process. The baked cookies turned out great. The cookie itself was buttery and tasted like traditional shortbread. But... There's always a BUT... My bad; as we've not planned to substitute the dried lavenders with the so called lavender-sugar.


Moving on, we tried our hands on Truffle Cookies, which came out wonderfully like rocky roads. Thumbs up for its texture and the cocoa aroma. A good quality of cocoa powder were used so that it tasted like the actual truffle. The dough was rolled into a bowl of icing sugar and was covered thickly with it.


The cookie deforms during the baking session begins, which is a pretty daunting sight. It should be like asteroids or shall we say it should be in the form of rounded rocky shape. It should be... (*Frowns*)


Thanks to Fatass lame instinct, we've gotten ourselves a flatter edible dirty looking asteroid. The truffle cookies should be taken out from the oven earlier. Baking it for a lesser time will help in retaining its rocky cum round shape though. (*Frowns Again*)


Like the old adage goes; do not judge a book by its cover. And it do relates for this C-grade baby truffle here; do not judge a cookie by its appearances. It tasted very much like a truffle. Since it's a truffle cookie, it is less sweeter than the real truffle is. The kids love them, simply because the chocolatey and chewy texture. (*Smiles*)

A Canine's Joyride

The so-called cute poochie of this doggie blog had already made a wise decision to chop off his white curly locks. To be exact, Fatass had make a few arrangements with the one whose responsible for shaving Fatty Rufus's fluffy furball. A white schnauzer should have a schnauzer's haircut, not a poodle's or a sheppy's hairdo. The good news is; Rufus gets to go for an hour plus joyride while I'll be sitting in my antique kennel, whining and wailing for non human being companions. This is so unfair.


Before making their way, Rufus had his sauna bath in a private room, a secluded area where most VIPs had their bath.


Two sexy hot mamas were sent in by Fatass Michelle. Massage anyone? BOL.


These hot mamas cleaned and groomed that super lucky fat dog. Not professionally groomed.


Snipped off the entangled wired hair and brush off the remaining dead locks. Blow-dry was included as well. Oh boy, look what we have here? A super white and clean poooooooochie. Hey, I smell Clorox! (*Wicked Smile*)


Why didn't Fatass lay her hands on Fatty Rufus? What an owner?! Responsible dog owner konon... Any excuse to lament, Fatass?


Okay. Fine. Solid picture with great values of proofs. Busy; just because you're baking some C-grade cookies. Fair enough. Groundnut Cookies to fill my snacking sessions while both of the fatass were away. You've just make me love you both! Rolled unbaked dough into cute tiny weeny rounded balls.


And pop them into the oven soon after. 15 minutes - all done! It melts in your mouth although it looks dry in this shot. Grinding the nuts were the most crucial part of all. If blended too long, a layer of oil will be seen. So, we called for pestle and mortar rather than an electronic blender. Muscles gained!


Once they were baked, Fatass rushed to the pet store with Rufus. He sat comfortably on a cushion, in the passenger seat, given a ragged rug whenever he starts to drool. Baby meh? (*Sweats*)


Fatass! You had never treat me that nice - EVER! (*Grr*)


Rufus made her proud, that's what she said when she gets home. He doesn't wiggle his bum and moves around whenever Beautiful Liar was aired in the radio. Unlike me. (*Gulps*)


Well, he's quite obedient and come on, he's on a safety belt! How is he gonna shake his bum with that thing attached to him?! He IS just like me!

Broken Pieces

It's been another busy and hectic week for both of us. Fatass Michelle have been getting on my nerves, blames me for breaking up her years old puzzle. In a doggy point of view, I did what I should do. Rubber ducky was threw to one end, the shabby corner where she kept her artificial frame holder and the arranged puzzles. I ran hurriedly to get the ducky's ass. That is where all fun things come to an end. KABAAM!


Pieces of puzzles were scattered everywhere. Lessons? Adhere with sticky tape or glue before placing the puzzles to the cardboard. (*Shrugs*)


While Fatass had been searching for sticky tapes, I was lying down on my favourite yellow mat, crunching at Fatass's Chocolate Chip and Hazelnut Cookie.


Made out from scratch. Thanks to the leftovers we had in the refrigerator.


As for the puzzles, it was glued properly onto a hard cardboard and was sent away. Not to the garbage bin, but to the frame shop.


RM60 bucks for that piece of crap. Geez. It's an official day where both of us will announce bankruptcy. Yes, today. (*Sulks Lamely*)

Gramp's Loving It

Surprising as it sounds, of all the C-grade babies Fatass Michelle and I have baked, Gramps love this as much as mum do. No... Not this gramps...


We're referring to a real gramps... Not a breakthrough, but this is something good that we should celebrate. Thinking of no more food poisoning and as hard as a rock cakeys and cookies, we, indeed should celebrate a little. Just a little.


Grabbing a high calorie cheesecake tartlets from a bakery stall located somewhere in Taman Muda's night market, Friday's night market!


Yes, that's what we call for a tiny weeny celebration. (*Gulps, that would be more than 200calories*). The elderly loves foods or desserts which are in the softer texture. That's what most of them use to say.


No wonder, mum and gramps love these mini Hup Tou Sou...


These babies were crumbly and most of all, the saltiness of these babies stands out. That's what Hup Tou Sou taste like, right?


Baked in a few batches, egg washed once, because twice is a lot of work.


Fatass Michelle is too HEAVY to do that. She'll make the Hup Tou Sou tasted more like a dried salted fish by then. (*Devilish Grin*). Enough barking about Fatass consuming too much calories, there'll be post-ups of mama's day celebrations soon. Now this is a real call for celebrations!

Fast Food. How Fast Would It Be?

When you're dogdamn hungry, do bark loudly, in a polite manner, showing how you're really feeling right now. Breathe in, sucked those fats in, rub your flat stomach and put up a dull, lethargic expression. Bite your paws, or if you want to go overboard without anyone suspecting, chew your paws. Hardly. Warning! Do not fart! You will end up with nothing good. No solid food, nor beef-sticks. So, I let out only a pint of foul gases, is that the main reason why you're starving me to death? Fatass Michelle, my loyal dumb servant, apologized, saying that she will bring me some food which largely contain carbs. That'll be good. Apologies accepted. Fast, I'm starving.


Bought a baguette, and baked them in the oven. For better tasting, I suggested wonderful add-ons. Real garlic chunks and chopped parsley sprinkled on both sides of the baguette, which Fatass had spread Tru Blue's garlic butter spread, which has a very garlicky fragant, before hand.


Wrapped into the foil, popping them into the oven for 15 minutes. Voila!


My garlic toast is ready!


For more varieties of carbs product, we bought a loaf of chicken floss bread in a local bakery shop to be served as snacks. Snacks, as a subtitution goodie for my daily casual tasty snack; beef-sticks. Ma's not around, no beef-sticks bought. How sad.


Very brilliant idea, stuffing flosses into the bread, with swirling effect. Soft and spongy white bread, freshly baked from preheated ovens. Good snack, good snack.


While I'm snacking, Fatass would be working out her collections. Another C-grade baby, the peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies.


Again, I suggested that we should use one tube of PB jam, specifically, with strawberry and PB jam. The aroma of strawberry can be smelt, but not too strong. The outcome was okay.


Lucky us for dumping the choc chips into the dough because the PB cookie will not ever make it into my stomach though it's chewy and aromatic. The PB cookie alone is bland. So, PB cookie and choc chips would get along better, like how Fatass and I are now. Ahoy, ahoy.