Hari Raya Delectables: Part 4

I am proud to say that this kuih is a totally new creation of my mum’s. Adding her own infusion of Ghirardelli chocolate powder bought from California into the cookie mix, she has produced a cookie with a soothing chocolate aroma that will simply titilate your senses! (I know it did for me!) Using the ingredients from Kuih Dahlia (translation unknown. Its main ingredient is Bird’s Tepung Custard or Bird’s Custard flour. Also made using vanilla essence), she produced this kuih, improvising as she went along. We were quite surprised when after placing the first batch into the oven, the cookies started to expand rapidly, utterly destroying the flower image she wanted to portray, becoming totally flat and circular (as seen in the photo above). But aren’t these simply beautiful flat circular cookies? In fact anything with chocolate in it would taste great! But that’s just the chocoholic in me talking. Sigh. The aroma is simply tantalising. Wish you were here to smell it too! And yes, I think I shall call it Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookies!

Next in the kuih Hari Raya line up we have cashew nuts! A perennial regular among my family’s kuih raya, this is one of the many little traditions of my family, directly influenced by my father, who loves eating cashew nuts (Also known as gajus in Malay)! Deep fried in oil, the cashew nuts are then lightly sprinkled with salt to give that added taste to the whole nut. Besides cashew nuts, one other little tradition of my family is cooking delicious curry chicken on Hari Raya! (This is again introduced by my father) Traditionally, who would even think of eating kari ayam on Hari Raya? But after eating it for many years now, it has become an indispensible ingredient of a scrumptious Hari Raya feast at my Grandma’s house. Can’t wait to eat it once again. Sigh!

Hope I can find more delicious kuih to sample! 😀

Hari Raya Delectables: Part 3

This is my aunt’s version of the Chocolate Chip Cookie. Though having the same name, my aunt’s version of this popular cookie is way different in terms of taste and texture. And that’s the beauty of Hari Raya! There’s simply no homogeneity in Hari Raya goodies and each visit to a relative’s home is a mouth watering gastronomical adventure! And I’m only showcasing kuih-muih and not the plethora of Malay cuisine like Satay, Lontong, Ketupat and rendang (though I promise I will once I get back on the first day of Hari Raya)! My aunt’s version of the cookie is much more crispier in texture and has a very subtle taste of caramel and honey (though I’m not exactly sure whether caramel and honey are the exact ingredients of the cookies). But its so delicious and fantastic once you take a bite of these marvellous creations. And according to my mum, her cookies are in high demand! Great job Makcik (that’s what we all call her!)!

This is another one of the many creations of my aunt. Though I’m not certain what its called, I must say it was quite a surprise eating one of these purple cupcake cookies. Don’t be taken in by the hard and cold exterior. When you take a bite off these kuih, you discover that its hollow and what’s inside are a few pieces of chocolate chip, totally unharmed and unadulterated! Its amazing how its able to withstand the heat of the oven and remain totally cool and fresh underneath the hard pale veneer. It was quite crunchy too. Though wasn’t as great as her Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Hopefully my mum will bake more kuih in the coming days…

Hari Raya Delectables: Part 2

Continuing on with this mini-series we have the most traditional of all Kuih Hari Raya which is Kuih Tart or as most of us know it as Pineapple Tart. My mum’s recipe is extra special because of the softness of the dough used to make these special tarts. The meticulous intricate clipings framing the pineapple centre of the tart is a labour of love of my mother who learnt it from my grandmother. Sadly its a skill that is slowly fading from the traditional Malay kuih scene. It took us a whole four hours to do everything to make these Kuih Tart a reality. A must try for visitors to my house later during Hari Raya!

Next we have a very unique Kuih named after one of the Great Malay celebrities of the past, or rather her bolster that is. Its called Kuih Bantal Peluk Saloma or in English, “Saloma’s bolster” tart. Okay I know it sounds weird. I immediately laughed out loud when my mum told me the actual name! Made using the same dough used for the Kuih Tart, the dough now covers a thin piece of date or Kurma. Many would guess the reason behind the existence of this tart in the line up is partly because of the large amount of dates leftover from Ramadhan itself! But its still an original recipe. It was terribly difficult making these because of the stickyness of the dates itself! (And yes I made these! Judge me however you want. My mum needed the help and being the filial son that I am, I decided to help :)) These simply melt in your mouth! Literally.

Okay, to those very observant people out there, you may realise that these cookies look vaguely familiar. If you guessed Corn Flakes, you’re right! Upon discovering that the previous batch of Corn Flakes Cookies were quite rock hard after buka, my mum decided to make a whole new batch again, this time with less cornflakes and it worked! Now its much much more softer and easier on the teeth. I told my mum to make it look more rocky and natural, rather than the previously sanitised version. It looks great does it? Taste great too!

More to come tomorrow, or in the coming days! Stay tuned! (While I get to enjoy the fruits of my labour. :D)

Hari Raya Delectables: Part 1

Today is the first day of making Kuih Hari Raya (Hari Raya cookies and delicacies!)! The next few scrumptious posts will be parts of a new mini-series purely dedicated to HARI RAYA FOOD! Yum Yum Yum! The tray of cookies you see above is the delicious Chocolate Chip cookies which is famous throughout Singapore (and maybe Malaysia)! It has become an essential staple (besides Kuih Tart or Pineapple Tart) of our Hari Raya festivities! As you can see, the two main ingredients of the cookie are Hersey’s chocolate chips and roughly chopped almonds. A sure favourite among all the little kids and Makciks of all ages! I love this version of the cookie, but I think my auntie’s one is better! I’ll try to take a picture of it later. Maybe Andee can help? 😀

Next we have a new face among all the Hari Raya cookies out there (or according to my mum, a reincarnated one since she once made this a very long time ago till she even forgot how it looks or tastes like!): the Corn Flakes Cookie! Looks may be deceiving but these little pockets of crunch is a delicious morsel of memories and times past. The verdict is still yet to be announced on how well it would be received by the public (aka visitors to my house which includes all my relatives and friends). Hopefully this new face will make an reappearance in next year’s line up!

Stay tuned for more delicious cookie updates tomorrow!

Thoughts..

The only place I have been so far this year was Taiwan, and that was because of the army. I was supposed to go for a family holiday overseas but due to unforseen circumstances, it may not materialise. Sigh. Really loved the beautiful picturesque scenery at some parts of Taiwan, even though the winds were bellowing past you due to the typhoon. Believe me, this picture was taken right after the stormy winds started blowing, nearly blowing me off the slope!