I’ve always been fond of cookies. Maybe because they were a rare treat we got from the local bakery only once in a while. We didn’t actually bake any cookies growing up. Our oven was used mostly for roasts. Somehow, though, we did have a cookie cookbook in our household. I can’t remember how young I was, but I was still too small to “touch the oven” when I had my first baking adventure. I decided to microwave the cookie batter (not sure if you’d call it that since the dough was mostly flour … [Read more...]
Who Wants Cookies?
Foodie Friday: ANZAC biscuits
ANZAC biscuits: simpler oatmeal cookies with flair! I've gone Down Under! At the request of one of my kids, we made ANZAC biscuits. These were cookies sent as part of care packages to soldiers in Australia and New Zealand during World War I. Note the name of the treats: ANZAC = Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Made from simple and spoil-proof ingredients, these biscuits are quick to make. I love how they're rolled in oats, so I feel like I'm eating kind of healthy. Also, I like … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Chocolate-Covered Fortune Cookies
Chocolate-covered fortune cookies: sweeter fortunes! I couldn't pass these up. They taste like you would imagine; the chocolate enhances the natural sweetness of the fortune cookie. The ones I tried came in two flavors: milk chocolate and white chocolate. (I'm not really a fan of the latter, though.) It's a lovely dessert treat. You get the yumminess of chocolate and still get to read a fortune! Fun fact: My preference for fortune cookies goes way back. See the bottom of the right-side … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Green Tea Oreos
Green tea Oreos: chocolate sandwich cookies with green tea cream Now this is what I'm talking about! If you remember, I was trying out a green tea version of a well-known candy a while back: green tea Kit-Kats. My verdict? Dissatisfied. That's because I was yearning for chocolate in the mix. Well, I've finally found the right combination. It's got the chocolateness of Oreos, along with a delicious green tea middle. Do I split the cookie? Eat the middle first and then the rest? Nope, I'm more … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Almond Cookie
Almond cookie: shortbread type of cookie with almond flavor As a kid, we used to buy a box of these from the local Asian store. Those almond cookies were crisp and featured a red almond in the center. (The color of fortune? I don't know, but after one of my kids reacted to the food coloring, I skipped to getting more natural-looking cookies.) I once tried to make them in college for lunar new year or some sort of celebration, but failed. I couldn't get the proper buttery flavor. (Key … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Ground Peanut Cookies
Ground peanut cookies: crumbly rectangular peanut treats This is one of my favorite childhood treats along with White Rabbit candies. I have good memories of sharing this snack with my dad. (What can I say? We're both peanut lovers.) It comes shaped in rectangles. Watch out, though! There are flaky layers that cover the ground peanuts inside, and everything crumbles at the slightest touch. It's like a Jenga cookie. Some of my go-to munchies come from pleasant childhood times. What about … [Read more...]
Simple Holiday Treats
*Special Winter Edition* I've participated in annual Christmas cookie exchanges before, but never online. Thanks to an invitation from Patience Brewster, an artist who makes handmade ornaments and gifts, I'm involved in an exciting virtual cookie exchange. Through the Internet, I can connect with other foodies and find lovely holiday recipes. In the past, I've baked tangy lemon bars or sculpted popcorn balls to bring to parties. This year, though, I'm lazy. If you're swamped like me, here … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Red Bean Cookie
Red bean cookie: pastry-like treat with sweet red bean paste inside C is for cookie! Around the time I was immersed in Sesame Street, I decided to follow in the footsteps of my favorite blue-furred monster. I cracked open our cookbook to create snickerdoodles. Alas, I wasn't allowed to use the oven, so I substituted the microwave instead. A shout-out to my brother who tried those rock-hard sweets and even managed to swallow a few pieces without breaking his teeth! Thankfully, I soon learned … [Read more...]