Getting Inked in memory of Love

I got inked (again)! Because all you really need is love <3. You can find love in the strangest of places, in every nook and crook of life.

[photo credits]

First attempts..

For the most part while I was growing up, Chinese New Year was always all about the goodies and baking a shitload. I remember being in the kitchen, helping Aunt Yang brush the tops of almond cookies with egg, topping little pineapple tarts with cloves and making chocolate almond cookies with her help. They were all great memories for me to hold on to because I grew up to the smells of goodies baking in the kitchen but my aunt moved out and these activities seem to have dwindled down in significance because afterall, my mum doesn’t bake (much). I decided this year I shall bring back the old school and try my hand at baking Pineapple Tarts from scratch.

Many people often buy store-bought pineapple filling rather than making their own. And god damn, I am proud to say that I MADE MY OWN FILLING. Not that it was easy, I stood over the stove stirring for 2 hours, making sure the sugar doesn’t get charred and was significantly panicking when the texture of the filling still didn’t hold up. My boyfriend told me everything was going to turn out okay, just as long as I let it cool. And well, much to my denial to admit it, he was right.

So well here it is folks, my first attempt at these Chinese New Year novelties. Please pardon the unattractive appearance of the cookies, nonetheless, I thorougly enjoyed it plus the sense of achievement just makes up for everything else. Nice and crumbly on the outside, sweet and tangy on the inside, just the way I like it

Recipe adapted from here

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 10 tablespoons butter
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 1 pinch salt

For the Filling:

• 2 cups fresh pineapple – peeled, cored and shredded (Important! Must drain juice out before preparing, I didn’t and that is probably why it took me ages to get to the consistency I wanted)
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• cloves for decoration (if you are using the directions as it is, then u wont need the cloves)

To brush the Tops of the cookies:

• 1 egg, beaten

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine all-purpose, self-rising flour and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the mixture. Pour in 1 beaten egg and water. Bind the ingredients together gently. Do not knead too much. Shape dough into a ball, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine pineapple and sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, for 30 minutes, or until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C)
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch in thickness. Cut 24 rounds, using a 2 inch round fluted cutter. Place on cookie sheet. Put a spoonful of pineapple jam in the center of each piece. Decorate with criss-cross strips of pastry over jam, extending slightly onto pastry shell.
5. Cut 24 more 2 inch rounds, then, using a smaller cutter, cut out the centers, creating a ring shape. Moisten the edges of each pastry, and place the rings on top of each pastry shell. Brush the top of the pastry with beaten egg.
6. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

ps: I didn’t follow through with Steps 4 and 5, instead I followed directions from this video accordingly:

And the results...

Next up, cornflake cookies and other Chinese New Yearsy stuff, if I can find the time!

Ps: I will be leaving for China in a couple of days (exciting!) but it’ll be mainly for work purposes, might be slow in updating. Pls spread the love to your friends about Pots and Pants in the meantime and comment!

Florence + The Machine

I am in utter love with Florence + The Machine, I hope I get to watch her when she gets to Singapore this Feb. Her eclectic sense of style and unique talent will truly make her one enjoyable act to watch. Plus I love that her videos are always so beautiful and stylized. I especially love “Dog days are over”, watch it!

{First and last photo credits}

ps: sorry the video isnt the full thing, can’t find it

Still isn’t she breathtaking?

Fashion Inspirations #1

My first fashion inspirational post but really, how can you not get inspired by all of these clothes created by Charles Anastase. Despite being somewhat backdated (Spring Collection 2009 RTW), but I still love it to bits. And I love that every piece/look in the collection represents each individual in society – be it schoolgirl chic, or punk rock bad-ass. One for every individual or all for every single colourful character, all a matter of how you play it. <3

{photo credits}

FLAWZ

Oh god, this has to be the most inspiring thing I have ever seen. Watch it, let your heart feel inspired. Trust me, YOU WILL and YOU MUST BELIEVE. <3

Thanks Caitlin for reminding all of us that it IS that simple. Remember guys no matter how ugly we feel some days, we all deserve to be happy. And that is something I truly believe in (but very often, fail to practice). So let this be a reminder to us, to embrace each and every flaw that we have, because we are, in every way, imperfectly perfect.

{photo and video credits}

BBQ IN MY OVEN WOOT

I told you I was going to bake off my depression and nothing is more comforting than roasted marshmallows and melted chocolate topped on mini chocolate chip cookies. The outcome? A campfire must-have – SMORES cookies. Tasted comforting and the sugar was what I needed to feel like the days will be better from here on out Don’t they just look ohmygodbbq yummy to you? Three cheers please!

Adapted from here, the original recipe bakes 3 dozen cookies which is a wee bit too much so I halved it but still they didn’t disappoint!

S’mores Cookies
recipe from Cookie Madness

ps: this is the original recipe before halving, makes 3 dozens

3/4 cup softened butter (1 1/2 sticks)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups flour
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used mini chips)
1 cup mini marshmallows (I used slightly more than a cup)
2 Hershey bars, chopped up

Preheat oven to 375ºF.

In a stand mixer, combine the butter and sugars until fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla until combined. Add the flour, graham crackers, salt, and baking soda, and mix well. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Drop by rounded tablespoon onto baking trays lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8 minutes, and remove from the oven. Push 3 to 4 marshmallows and a few pieces of hershey bar into each cookies. Return to the oven and bake an additional 3-4 minutes until fully cooked. Cool cookies on a wire rack.

Definitely gonna make these again for my beautiful friends whom I miss terribly, let’s meet soon pls!

A slight bump in the road

I haven’t updated in awhile because I went to Langkawi for a short holiday! It was awesome while it lasted The beach was beautiful, people were friendly..food was excellent! I really needed a break but only to come home to some bad news work wise. My dad was right, never put your eggs into one basket. Humans are selfish and we always think about ourselves before others. Do I sound emo? I apologise. But still, I am at a major crossroad and my mind is working at lightning speed, affecting my sleep and my days. I will be jobless (or not) soon, and that leaves me to think, what do I really want? I will leave that thought to myself..here’s some trip pics to cheer me up (and you of course) If you guys know of any job openings pls comment! I hope to get into the kitchen really soon (maybe today!) so I can bake off this depression.

Simply Breakfast

Your parents always tell you that breakfast is always the most important meal of the day. Unfortunately, often I miss out on the goodness of that meal and in comes along plenty of excuses why not – busy, rushing for work, etc. But chancing upon simply breakfast has somehow inspired me to take better care of my body, eat healthier and well, EAT BREAKFAST. Do yourselves a favour and spend half an hour each morning making something light and healthy. I am already thinking honey granola parfait, banana + strawberry smoothie, whole wheat pancakes, baking my own muesli bars.. well, here’s to something!

Now that wasn’t so hard was it?

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies and Rainbow Cupcakes!

A bright and colourful post to cheer u up!

Fashion + Food + Art = ?

I love love love love love this. Marrying fashion AND food? Sign me up!

The results of it is obvious – just pure unadulterated awesomeness.

photocredits