Happy Chinese New Year 2012

Sadly, we had to take down our Christmas decor and replace it with our fiery red Chinese New Year ones. Not quite my cup of tea but if we don't, we're like not really getting into the festive groove. But, there's the long weekend to look forward to next week, albeit a tiring one for most of us Chinese.

Let me just say here that I'm not much of a baker. I've never fancied baking. I prefer the smells and colours of cooking. So this is Mike attempting to make pineapple tarts for the Chinese New Year (although at the rate we are devouring the tarts now, I doubt we'll have any left to feed guests):

Running the flour through whatever sieve we could find in the kitchen drawer.

We're like:

'Is this the only sieve we have?

Yep, shall I run to buy another?

No, we'll just use this.

You sure it'll work?

Yah lah, can lah. 

(That's how seriously we take our baking).

Heating the margarine - frankly, I feel quite uncomfortable putting margarine on high heat.

I don't think margarine's meant to withstand high heat. It probably turns into plastic or something. 

It's a family recipe Mike's following but I think I'll try butter the next time round. Wait, I don't mean 'I'. I mean I'll politely ask him to use butter.

Mike, rolling out the dough

(Wow! 'Rolling out the dough', sounds nice. I could definitely do with winning the 7 million Reunion Toto draw tomorrow. THAT would be rolling in the dough)

Mike patiently and meticulously cutting out the pastry.

What was I doing? Oi! Plenty of washing involved, leh.

I was slaving in the kitchen whilst the baker was at work.

Quite a nice shot of them tart bases all lined up, huh?

I was annoying Mike no end with my photo taking. Hee hee. He actually quipped that I should have been a journalist. My son then said, 'Mummy can cook, can paint, can take pictures, can write. She can do many things.' Wah....haha.. Not sure if he was being sarcastic like his dad but who cares. I'll take all the compliments I can get! Used to them poking fun at me. It's all in good fun. I know at the end of the day that they love me no end. Ha ha.

And TADAH.......!!!!
Pineapple tarts made by hubs.

With that outta the way, I've to see to my next headache; Reunion Dinner at our place.
Oh well, managed to swing Christmas Eve dinner so should be able to do this too. Will just pray for God's love and guidance.

XING NIAN KUAI LE!
WAN SHI RU YU!
GONG XI FA CAI!

Happy Chinese New Year! (23 & 24 Jan 2012)