.: Crushing cardamoms :.

With the mortar and pestle.

Sister Farhana organized an Eid food swap; Delicioso Swap. 

1st Photo:: From Sister Nadi.
2nd Photo:: From Me.

To Sister Farhana:: Thanks for arranging the swap. Had loads of fun fixing up the parcel. ^

To Sister Nadi:: Thanks a mil' for the gorgeous package! I still remember that I owe you the Kleeja recipe. Insya'Allah, I'll email it to you later today. ^

Because of the swap, I'm finally moving on the whole cooking thing. :) Mum got pretty excited when I started asking her where's the saffron. She was like "What do you need?". Next thing I know, she brought massive amounts of ingredients as if I'm cooking a gargantuan feast. Looking on the bright side, we now have ample spices, nuts to last us till next Eid.

Think I'll rummage through Nadi's package so I can whip something up to soothe this dry throat of mine. :)

Have a good day!

2.17pm Malaysian Time

.: Blut ist dicker als Wasser :.

Care for a sip?

"Kuih Bangkit." One of the many choices of cookies baked during Eid. Mum used to bake it by the dozens, and I'll pile it up in the cookie jars. Nowadays, mum prefers to make the chocolate-based varieties since most of my little cousins favor it. There's really nothing wrong with the chocolate ones. Only that I much prefer the ones I had when I was a kid. I guess I am still deeply rooted with our traditional fare. Insya'Allah, I'll badger my mum to make some when she comes over. *nothing beats mum's cooking, I'll help out of course.*

All along, I never know the origins of the cookies that my mum bakes. Whenever I ask her, she'll say it has been in the family, or that she got it from someone. Our conversations often get sidetracked along the lines of the family tree and history.

*direct translations of Kuih is cake, but it can also be cookies or biscuits. Bangkit really means rise, as in the cake rises, so "Kuih Bangkit" can be referred to as raised cookie.*

Did a little research of my own.

Kueh Bangkit were originally used for altar offerings for the ancestors. Then they were made in the shape of currency. Today they are made in various animal or floral shapes with their own symbolic meaning such as goldfish, peonies and chrysanthemums. They can be sprinkled with sesame seeds to symbolize fertility. Tan (1991) stated that kueh bangkit are typical of the evolution of the cultural osmosis from mainland China to overseas Chinese communities.

Source :: Asian Festivals and Customs A Food Exporter's Guide by Grant Vinning and Kaye Crippen

Like the pineapple tarts that my mum makes, the "Kuih Bangkit" is in fact a Chinese New Year Goodie. The justification of us taking it as our own can most probably be traced back to our ancient ancestral roots, particularly on my dad's side. All that mattered to me is how scrumptious they are. *they're really good ... all light and crumbly, they seamlessly melt in your mouth.*

Here are my little cousins. *they aren't that little anymore, are they?* Time sure pass fast.

Eid is most likely the only time I get to see all my relations. Now and again, we do have family functions, yet not everyone are present. Though we hardly meet, the bond is very much intact. Alhamdulillah. :)

I reckon in a couple of years time, these girls will be much bigger than I'll ever be. As it is, they're almost the same size as me. *some have surpassed me.* Is it just me or are kids today becoming bigger? *haha~*

Love the smiles. ^^

12.50am Malaysian Time

.: Arabian delights :.

The chocodate.

Had this in Saudi. *pic from je t'aime amer* It's basically dates stuffed with whole almonds and coated in chocolate. *tastes absolutely wicked*

For Eid, I did a bold attempt to make a mimicry version of my own, with a slight twist. Dates stuffed with whole almonds, covered by a layer of dough, then coated with chocolate, topped with chopped almonds.

The process is quite tedious since:

1. You have to get your fingers dirty *and sweet* as you take out the seeds from the dates and stuff the toasted almonds. *made easier when you pop a stuffed date into your mouth each time you're done with a dozen* Don't ever lick your fingers until you're done. *unless you're making for your own consumption*
   
2. Prepare the dough, wrap the stuffed dates *not too thin or it'd break, and not too thick* and bake it.
   
3. Once it has cooled down, melt the chocolate and start dunking it in. *use a gigantic pot for double-boiling. In this case, size does matter since it cuts down the time.*
4. Place the choco dipped pastry wrapped dates into cupcakes. *you don't want to lose any of that sinful choc. do you?* End it by sprinkling chopped almonds.
   

I tried it out with a myriad selection of dates. *there are tonnes stocked up at home* Didn't get to make much because I was using the leftover dough from my mum. Outcome? No pictures. It was long gone before I manage to take any. Can't say that I have destroyed the Dubai confectionary. Justice was made, I suppose. As it is, I already have requests for next Eid. :)

*What have I gotten myself into?*

On the bright side, I may just be upgraded to Pastry Chef. Adieu to my dearest precious dishes, kitchen sink, the such and hello to Mr. Oven, Mrs. Dough Mixer, brother Rolling Pin and sister Cookie Cutter. *i should really stop*

Haven't had breakfast.

10.45am Malaysian Time

.: Mishka :.

Open house, 4th day of Eid.

Mum played the role of Chef de Cuisine, sis the Sous Chef, uncle was the Aboyeur, sis-in-law the Chef de Partie, which leaves me as the Commis *upgraded from a kitchen assistant* and Escuelerie *commonly known as the dishwasher*. Dad helped with the heavy stuff, while my brother and aunt were M.I.A.

Despite the fact that we could have catered, mum decides to cook. She advocates home cooked food. Her rationale is that you don't know what kind of stuff outsiders put inside and whether it is prepared hygienically. Some of that thinking must have rubbed onto me. Anyway, it's more fun that way. Take it as family bonding time. When my mum cooks for others, she really cooks for their hearts' content. And her spread, quantity wise is equivalent to a Chinese wedding dinner.

Close to 1pm+, my sister's friends arrived and she had to retire from the kitchen. Things were rather topsy-turvy there. Guests were supposed to arrive after 5pm. In the meantime, I was tied up with other preparations. I reckon that Iqbal and family noticed me as a klutz, so they offered to help to which I refused. Being such nice people, they totally ignored me and continued helping.

The little one, Mishka *hope I got it right* is the sweetest little angel. Extremely pleasant, delightful and courteous. I'm sorry for not stopping you on time. It must have taken every bit of your strength strained on that fragile stature of yours just to move the chair. I'm sorry again.

To Iqbal and family :: Thanks for being such wonderful people. I would have loved to spend more time with all of you, but I was really rushing for time. Pertaining to Facebook, we know you're kidding. If not, kindly feature my sister only. You have my blessings. *kidding, do wipe that thought away or she'll massacre me*

To my beloved, compassionate, benevolent, and beautiful sis to whom I shall never swap with :: I never cajoled them into helping me. They're nice people, simple as that.

To family, friends and others :: Thanks for helping and coming. To the ones that didn't make it, there's next year. Insya'Allah.

I'm surrounded by good people. ^^

12.23noon Malaysian Time