Nail Biting Witch Finger Cookies...

Happy Halloween...

Don't have time to make fancy Halloween treats?

Why not gross everyone out with these creepy cookies. ...

When I think of Halloween the first thing that comes to mind is candy, but this year I wanted to try something a little different - Witch Finger Cookies, so I thought I would give that a try.

I have to say from the start I am not what you call good at making cookies. I have a tendency to either under cook or burn cookies; I can never get them to be just right.

My cookie adventure ...

All set to go into the oven...

Once they are done, let them 'sit' on the baking tray for at least 5 minutes – I discovered that the hard way... !

My mom would say patience is not one of my virtues. After they rest for 5 minutes, place your slightly cooled cookies out onto a cooling rack to finish cooling.

As my cookies cooled, I set out to decide on how I wanted to finish my fingers.....

I like the look of painting the fingernails with red gel.

WITCH FINGER COOKIES
Ingredients:

1 cup Butter - room temperature

1 cup Icing Sugar

1 large Egg

1 tsp Almond Extract

1 tsp Vanila essence

2 1/4 cups All Purpose Flour

1/2 Cup Corn Flour

1 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Salt

3/4 cupwhole blanched Almond

(I ran of stock of Almonds, so I use Cashew Nuts instead)

Red Piping Gel - blood for fingers.

(or you can also use Strawberry Jam.. anything red and bloody will do the trick...!)

Preparation:
In bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla; beat in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Working with one quarter of the dough at a time and keeping remaining dough refrigerated, roll heaping teaspoonful of dough into finger shape for each cookie.

Press Cashew nut firmly into end for nail. Squeeze in centre to create knuckle shape; using paring knife, make slashes in several places to form knuckle.

Place on lightly greased baking sheet.

Lift up cashew nut (or you can leave it as it is) ; squeeze red piping gel onto nail bed and press cachew nut back into place, so gel oozes out from underneath. I was hoping it would give them that spooky witch look I was going for, and it did...!

Remove from baking sheets; let cool on racks. Repeat with remaining dough.

Now go and freak out some kids...!

Congrats UniTAR Graduates 2010...

Oh yes, its that time of year, again... Graduation...!

Last night I made some graduation cupcakes for a friend's friend BF.

The common decorations on cuppies, motar board and scroll...

Thanks Nadiah for the order.

...and...Huge congratulations to all UniTAR graduates 2010...!

...for the Lady 'yang Ayu...'

What if one fine morning you get into the office and all of a sudden the colleagues and boss, who give blunt look at you everyday are smiling.

The receptionist welcomes you with gratitude and you suddenly start feeling that you are entering into Eden Garden of heaven as the Queen of the sovereign place.

The office is well decorated with flowers that you like and everywhere there is a friendly tone, when people talk and the overwhelming gestures through hugging you is taking you to the paradise...

I can go on saying long but you should get the hint at the very beginning...

Yes, Ayu Nurul, you are the Queen for the day... because its your birthday.

A simple birthday celebrations & recognition of the day can boost your staff morale.

To Puan Niza of Jab Perkhidmatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, Selayang Hospital..

...thank you for the order.

I hope the birthday 'Girl' likes the cupcakes and the floral decorations.

Who says Runners Can't Cook...!

Run-Kooky-Run...

Run to the Kitchen,

... and bake me some Fudge..!

Who says Runners can't cook..!

This is a melt-in-your-mouth, easy homemade chocolate fudge recipe from a friend of mine -K-Kash. Trust me, this recipe should be in every kitchen, at every party, picnic, barbecue, company function and family gathering....!

A plate of this Choc Fudge, with the Recipe, makes a good welcome gift..!

Beat eggs, sugar and vanila until fluffy...

...while waiting for the egg mixture to fluff, melt chocolate and butter using the double boiling method....

...Once chocolate/butter mixture is cool, add to egg mixture - stir well...

...Add in flour, vegetable oil and salt - mix well with spatula...

My household likes nuts.

So, for that crunchiness I throw in some roasted chopped walnuts and almonds...

...pour into a greased baking dish... and bake....

...and wait patiently... very patiently...!

...out from the oven... after 45 mins...

... dust with icing sugar... and cut into squares...

This is one of the best chocolate Fudge recipes ever...

...the results were amazing and loved by everyone - truly chocolatey, crisp edges and gooey filling. ...

A chocoholic's heavenly delight...! These chocolate fudges really are to die for!

Kooky's Super Fudge Brownie

Ingredients A

250g butter

250g chocolate bars

(use double boiling method -

ie. not over direct heat- place another pot over a pot of boiled water)

Ingredients B

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

(beat well)

Mix:

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup vegetable oil

(add Ingredients A and B to the above and fold in the mixture well)

Optional:

Toasted and chopped Walnuts and Almonds

Chocolate syrup

Sugar icing to sieve over after brownie is baked

Before pouring the mixture, make sure you layered the baking tin with oil/butter.

Bake in 190º celsius for 35-40 minutes.

These Choc Fudges are so additive you'll want to make a seconds batch before the first is finished

Thanks Kooky for sharing the recipe...

Easy Baked Penne Pasta with Cheese

Life is busy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have tasty, home cooked meals.

Pasta dishes are both hearty and comforting.

This recipe does'nt take much time to prepare.

All prep-up and set to go into the oven..

Out from the oven, hot and bubbly and cheezy...

Plate it up and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

You can easily add extra, seasonal vegetables to this dish, but you don’t have to.

A quick and creamy pasta bake that can be reheated for lunch the next day - if you manage to have any left!

Easy Baked Pasta with Cheese
Ingredients
1/2 packet Penne Pasta

2 tbsp olive oil
1 bulb white onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Jar Prego sauce (the small one)

1 packet Chicken sausage - slice horizontally (not so thin)
1 cup grated Mozzarella Cheese

1 cup grated Ceddar Cheese
1 tsp freshly ground Black pepper
salt to taste

Parmesan cheese for sprinkling

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 deg.
Boil the pasta until it is slightly el-dente. Drain .

Toss the pasta with 1 tbs. of oil, and then set aside.
Heat 1 tbs. of oil in a pan, and sauté the onions, garlic, pepper, and salt for about 2 minutes.
Add Prego sauce to the onion mixture and stir for 2 minutes.

Add Penne pasta into the sauce - stir well

Pour half of the Penne pasta into a greased baking dish - arranged the sliced sausages and sprinkle with Mozzarella and Cheddar. Then do a second layer - pour the remaining Penne pasta on top, arrange sliced sausages and sprinkle with Mozzarella and Cheese and black pepper

Bake for 15 minutes, until the cheese becomes bubly.
Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

OK, what dessert to go with this Meal..???

I know..... its time for KOOKY's Super Choc Fudge.!

Runners visit @ HUKM Pediatric Ward on 17 Oct 2010

....We hosted 25 kids from age just over 1 year old to about 12 years old. All were with Leukemia or Lymphoma. Some were in wheel chairs and some still had IV/ drip tubes still attached. All were accompanied by their parents. Five were confined in their own rooms....

More stories & clips, visit:

Kooky Kash @ http://run-kooky-run.blogspot.com/

Allen @ http://feelgoodfeelinggood.blogspot.com/

PT @ http://runwitme.blogspot.com/

Thank you Teachers....

When it's time to say goodbye, a farewell party is a fun way to share some memories with friends and teachers before you move.

Why not make saying goodbye simple .

It doesn't need to be a fancy, expensive spread.

Add some cupcakes..., and you are all set.

Everyone can visit at one time, no one gets left out and you can leave with warm memories of friends and teachers
Pre-farewell cuppies for Class of 2010, SMK SKT Hulu Kelang.

Thank Nur Adilah for the order.

& to all the Fitfh Former... Good Luck in your SPM.

Open Your Eyes.... The Signs...

Mom's Work Never Ends...

Listen ...

Familiar to your ears?

Exasperating?

Wish your mum isn't like that?

This is song is dedicated to my lovely daughter....

Maymun Nalubega-Rozanita Naziwa...

It takes two to play a game well ; may all parents and children clap well...

...the Brave Cancer Kids...

The Ribbon of Hope...

Reaffirming its unwavering stance on cancer awareness, a group of Marathoners (Allen, Kash, Julie, Karen, Ijam, Khirul, Tina, Azza, PT and a few others - sorry I tak sempat ambil nama you all...! ) organised a 'fun-filled day' on Sunday 17 Oct 2010, at the Pediatric Cancer Ward, HUKM which cares of young children with cancer.

I knew I would be confronted with heart-breaking scenes when I visited the Children's Cancer Ward HUKM- the day I will never forget. I did'nt realise that I will come face to face with children who would have been a promising youngster.

First to arrive, Adik Awiyah being pushed into the playroom by her devoted 'Atuk' .

(...at this point I just cannot hold back my tears....the Guys cried too.. )

Such a Darling... Adik Awiyah and me..

The aim of the visit was to cheer up children admitted in the ward.
The children, who suffer from various types of cancer, were happy and in good spirits as they merrily recieved gifts and medals..hard-earned medals won by the Marathoners...! Akif and his younger brother, Aidil - also have cancer...
Adik Akif Iskandar - very bubly and charming. I was told by Akif's mom that he is due for another operation tomorrow. Our prayers are with you Akif..

Marathoner Ijam a.k.a. 'The Clown' with Adik Firdaus..

This sweet little boy is Mohd Firdaus and he has cancer :-(

We hope one day he will be well again.

Marathoner - Khairul Azhar @ KA...

My daughter with her new found friend... Adik Aidil. These two were unseparable...!

Alamak... lupa pulak nama this little sweetie...

Kudos to everyone.

Massive effort...

Top work....

Inspirational!

.. all the mud, toil, tears and sweat in a good cause!

'The Team'

Sitting from L-R: Az Hana, Ijam @ The Clown, Wai Yan Low

Standing from L-R: Karen Loh, Yati (HUKM PRO), Maymun, Kash Kasiri @ the Ironlady, Allen a.k.a The Orang Kuat (behind Kash), Myself, Tina, Tina's Hubby (behind her), Julie

(photo: courtesy PT, for more photos - visit:

http://runwitme.blogspot.com/

http://run-kooky-run.blogspot.com/

... am still choking looking at above photos...

Last but not least.... party is not complete without Makan...!

...lots of cupcakes and cakes for everyone...!

Moist Chocolate cuppies topped with ganache..

... and Vanila cuppies topped with vanilla buttercream

Birthday cake for adik Noradilah & Hani Liyana.

Unfortunately, both girls were not able to be present due to health reasons... but the Birthday cake was not wasted.

We decided to celebrate everyones birthday...! Now lets sing....

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you...

Happy Birthday to Everyone...

Happy Birthday to ALL..

...with love ...MY LITTLE CUPCAKES...

Princesses Birthday Cupcakes...

What makes a perfect birthday for Allesya Sofea...?

...She would love to live happily ever after in a faraway kingdom, indulge herself with fairytale princess birthday cupcakes....

Happy 8th Birthday Allesya Sofea...

E-mail from Puan Azleen:

Dear Kak Nita,

Allesya loves the cup cake so much…and her friends at school was so….excited today when I came and distribute the cup cake to all of them…all the class mate sang Happy Bday song to her and she look so happy today…I am glad that I ordered the cup cake from you and make allesya happy today…thanks a lot Kak Nita…your cup cake is marvelous and can’t wait for my bday….

thanks

Thank you Lyn for the order..

the 'Cookie Monster' strikes again....!

Me: "I ran out of Peanut Butter... and I only have 1/4 stick of butter...!

I can't make that cookies you asked for.."

Cookie Monster: "You can't OR you won't. Am sure you can conjure something up without Peanut Butter and substitute Butter with something else... "

OMG...! Here we go....the 'Cookie Monster' in my house strikes again...!

We made a deal.

I told 'Cookie Monster' that he had to spend time slaving over a hot stove and help me make the cookies he demanded or else he had to make do with the crackers in the jar...and he agreed...!

The Ingredients...All you need...

1 1/2 cup All Purpose flour

1 tspn Bicarbonate Soda

1 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Salt

2 tspn Cinnamon

1/2 tspn All Spice

2 Eggs

1 tsp Vanila

3/4 cup Shortening (or 1/2 cup Butter)

3/4 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 cup White Sugar

2 1/2 cups Rolled Oats

1/2 cups Raisins (optional - I have some leftover so I throw it in the batter)

1 cup Chocolate Chips

1 cup White Chocolate Chips

For that extra crunchineas, if you have nuts - walnuts, almonds, peacan - it doesn't matter...just throw them in the batter (1/2 cup will do..)

Method:

Prehead oven to 350 degs

Sift dry ingredients: Flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and all spice.

In separate large bowl, cream together shorthening (or butter if using), brown and white sugar until fluffy and creamy. Add eggs and vanila. Combine well.

Add flour mixture and stir until just combined.

Add oats, raisin and choc & white-chips (and nuts if you want to).

Spoon batter onto baking sheet, bake for about 8 mins or until golden brown.

Leave cookies for a few seconds on the tray then transfer to wire rack to cool.

Done...! & Enjoy your cookies.

These cookies bake up large, so you would expect a big heavy flavour.

But surprising though, they are light and refreshing. A perfect compliment to Tea or Milk! ..

I hope you will try them, because I know you will love them..!

Cookie Monster definately not complaining...!

Roast Chicken with Caramelised Onions a.k.a Shallots

Normally, I tend to take advantage of the opportunity to make more involved meals that wouldn't be suitable for a weeknight, but for the past couple of weeks, I have only had 'one day off' each week - Sunday. Which means when Sunday finally rolled around, I would be too busy taking care of things around the house just generally so exhauted that high maintenance meals were not in the cards. It turns out though, this meal is a perfect compromise.

It requires literally less than 10 minutes prep time but the end result is a delicious roast chicken topped with crisp caramelised onions. Paired with some homemade mashed potatoes and steamed mixed vegetables, this is total comfort food with minimal effort.

...chicken pieces, all prep...

... 'throw' them into the oven...

The simplicity of this recipe is great, and I think it would lend itself to variations. I did think it was a tad on the vinegar-y side of me, so next time I may subs part of the vinegar with lemon juice, or just use less vinegar. But there most definately will be a next time because when a recipe is this quick and this tasty, it's too good to pass up.

...look at that onions... starting to caramelise...

The Ingredients:

6 pcs bone-in, skin-on chicken (thighs and drumsticks are good..)

3 tbsp Olive Oil

3 tbsp Vinegar

1 tbsp Light Soy Sauce

4 large onions - peeled and sliced

Salt and Freshly ground Pepper

Parsley (ran out of fresh ones, so I used dried ones)

Directions:

Preheat oven 350 degs.

In baking dish large enough to hold all the chicken pieces in a single layer, combined the olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce and onions.

Toss the chicken in the mixture, coating with onions.

Season with salt and pepper.

Place the chicken pieces in the baking dish so they are skin-side up.

Bake for 20 mins, until the chicken pieces begins to brown on top.

Turn the pieces of chicken over and spoon some of the juices and onions over the top.

Bake for an additional 20 mins or until the chicken is cooked through and the onions are caramelised.

Remove from oven and sprinkle lightly with parsley.

Done...!

Dinner is served.