Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Recreating Pineapple Tarts

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, we went to my cousin's place. Mama brought along all the ingredients for making pineapple tarts because there was one more packet of pineapple paste that she had no plans on keeping for 2010.

A few weeks ago we had made some yummy ones and they took a long time to make because we had to decorate each one. This time, she and my cousin were looking for new ideas, and perhaps some creative"short cuts". Papa was ready to give all sorts of suggestions.

First, they snipped bits of the pineapple paste and mixed them into the pastry so that every bite of each pineapple tart would have pineapples!

I am not so sure that was such a good idea. So other than snapping a few pictures here and there, I was not at the scene of the crime. I was happily watching videos and playing games on the computer (which i only get to do during public holidays!) in my cousin's room.

Initially (at least this is what i overheard), Mama just wanted to make "shapeless" balls and put them on macaroon paper cups. But my cousin had other ideas. She wanted to make shiny round tarts. These are smooth, golden pineapple balls!


Wait, I need to show you one more thing they did: sausage- shaped pineapple tarts :-)

Just so you know, normally, this is how pretty our pineapple tarts look like ... (sorry for the poor quality of this last photo)
















Saturday, January 10, 2009

Assembling the 5 and 0


Here's where it all began ... yes, in a piece of paper that clearly showed Ma how to cut each slab of cake to shape. It seems complicated, but hey, look on the bright side - it's gonna be easier next year when Pa turns "51" :->
This was how it looked when ma assembled the cake (I was at golf training when she did this).


One digit done, one more to go!
Done ;-)

Pa's Birthday


Today, Pa turns 50. We decided to make him a cake with the number "50". Without any idea on where to begin, we sought the help of my engineer cousin who painstakingly drew a model to help ma how to assemble a "50" cake using an 8" square, a 9" round and a 6" round Banana Cake. Here is how it eventually turned out.

Do an eye check first: Can you see where the "Happy Birthday" sign is?