Recipe: Cute Piggy German Cookies for CNY

Let's welcome the Year of the Pig with these cute Piggy German Cookies. These adorable piggies are made using the basic German cookie recipe, with the help of some pink food colouring and black sesame feeds to complete the pig features. These will surely put a smile on everyone's face!

Oink oink!

Lovely melt-in-the-mouth piggy German Cookies

Step-by-step instructions on my YouTube. Click to view!

Cute Piggy German Cookies for CNY
Recipe by Baby Sumo
Preparation time: 45 mins - 1 hour + (depending on how skilled you are)
Cooking time: 18 minutes (per batch)
Makes about 75

Ingredients
250g butter, softened at room temperature
80g icing sugar, sifted
250g potato starch/flour, sifted
160g plain flour, sifted


For the pig features
Black sesame (for eyes)

Pink food colouring


1. Preheat oven to 170°C (no fan). Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.

2. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the potato starch and plain flour, and mix to form a soft dough. If it feels sticky, add another 1 to 2 tablespoon of potato flour. You should be able to pinch some off with your fingers and roll into a ball easily.

4. Set aside 80g of dough and add about 3 drops of pink food colouring and mix well. This is for the snout and ears.

5. Roll the normal dough into a small ball, and shape into an oval.  Pinch some of the pink dough and shape into a small oval for the snout. Using the toothpick, poke two holes for the snout.

6. Shape two small triangles from the pink dough for the ears. Place ears on the side of the head.

7. Place two black sesame between the ears, above the snout for the eyes. 

8. Bake in preheated oven for 18 mins. Allow to cool on baking tray and store in an air tight container once cooled.

Note: If you do not wish to use all the above dough to make piggy German Cookies, you can use them to make the normal German cookies (see instructions here). This is a pink marbled version... kinda pretty, isn't it? (use 75% normal dough, 25% pink dough and roll into balls)

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Maccha Iki, EkoCheras Mall, KL

Maccha Iki, located in EkoCheras Mall specialises in all things matcha, including desserts, drinks and ice-cream. Dessert lovers will certainly delight in their delicious green tea creations.

The cafe has a relaxed ambiance, with natural wood interior as well as tatami seating. The cafe overlooks the mall's main concourse; during our visit, a lion dance performance came on and we literally had the best seats in the mall to watch it.

The Iki Matcha Blended (RM23.90) is their signature drink, an aromatic ice blended drink made using premium matcha powder imported from Japan. The green tea flavour is distinctive; the white chocolate cream topping complements the slightly bitter green tea taste. This drink also comes with two glutinous rice balls.

Other than matcha, they also use a few types of tea from China, namely oolong, pu er, jasmine and jin xuan. My first sip of the Frozen Jin Xuan Tea (RM15.90) and I'm in love! A refreshing drink, the light jin xuan tea is topped with sea salt cheese, green tea cream and crushed walnuts. Sweet, savoury and creamy, all in one.

You can find a wide variety of matcha desserts here including mochi, mousse, jelly, crepe roll, crispy puff, panna cotta, ice cream and more.

The Matcha Mille Crepe (RM17.90) was my favourite of the lot. Delicate layers of crepe with smooth green tea cream, the level of sweetness is just right. Highly recommended!

Equally good is the Matcha Tiramisu (RM17.90), served in a Japanese wooden box, featuring green tea sponge with luscious mascarpone cream, with a dusting of matcha on top. The tiramisu comes with a small serving of sweet, strong green tea.

Matcha Lava Cake (RM19.90) - moist cake, paired with a refreshing yuzu ice cream. The green tea sauce is poured over the cake rather than having a molten lava centre.

When it comes to swiss rolls, the more cream it has, the more I love it. The Matcha Swissroll (RM12.90) is filled with a generous amount of rich chestnut cream. In contrast, for those who prefer cakes with less cream can go for the Matcha Red Bean Cake (RM12.90), with a light layer of cream and red bean paste, crowned with two strawberries coated in matcha chocolate.

Opening times: 10am to 10pm daily.

Location: Maccha Iki, Lot F-K6, 1st Floor, Eko Cheras Mall, No 693, Batu 5,Jalan Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur. (Parking is currently free)

Tel: 03 – 9765 2919

Nearest MRT: Taman Mutiara (Exit Entrance A - 300m)

Website: https://www.facebook.com/maccha.iki/



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CNY 2019: Kim Ma, Palace of the Golden Horses

The most celebrated festival amongst the Chinese community is almost upon us, bringing families together as they gather to celebrate and usher in the new year with prosperity and good luck.

In line with the upcoming Chinese New Year, Kim Ma Restaurant at Palace of the Golden Horses will be presenting three "Prosperity Set Menus" created by Executive Chinese Chef Chris Lim and his team, priced from RM1,388 nett onwards throughout the month of January and February 2019.

We had the pleasure of sampling their Chinese New Year Set Menu 1, an 9-course meal priced at RM1,388 nett per table of 10 persons. We kick-started our meal with a prosperity toss, aka lo hei, with the Prosperity Norwegian Salmon and Top Shell Yee Sang. To commemorate the Year of the Pig, each yee sang is topped with an (edible pastry) pearl 珍珠 which shares the same homonym as pig 猪.

Next, we had Kim Ma's signature Double boiled minced chicken broth with superior fish maw and shimeji mushrooms. To achieve the unique texture of this soup, chicken breast is first trimmed, frozen and minced until very fine, then added to a superior stock (siong tong) when cold and double boiled for about half an hour, resulting in a clear soup with a custard-like chicken mousse. Absolutely delicious!

A whole chicken is usually served during CNY as it symbolises prosperity and togetherness as a family. The Poached free-range chicken with cordyceps flower and black mushrooms smelt wonderfully enticing, and we especially loved the sweet, delicious chicken essence broth.

The best way to enjoy a whole, fresh fish - steamed whole, with superior soy sauce.

Steamed whole live tiger grouper with superior soy sauce 

The Chinese believe that prawns symbolises laughter and happiness, so laugh your way to a prosperous new year. The prawns were stir fried in Chef's signature sauce and then dusted with edible gold dust, for an extra luxe appearance.

Stir fried king tiger prawns Cantonese-style with Chef's signature sauce 

My first time trying hedgehog mushroom- they're meaty and tender, and especially good eaten with the braising sauce.The deep fried beancurd flower gives a crunchy contrast to the dish.

Braised hedgehog mushroom, beancurd flower and green vegetables in oyster sauce

Steamed glutinous rice with wax duck and yam in lotus leaf - great flavours!

For dessert, we had the Double boiled osmanthus flower and peach jelly with snow pear followed by Chef's signature black garlic ice cream with raisins. A pretty unusual flavour - you either love it or hate it - it was pretty pungent, sweet, savory and slightly acidic at the same time. I wasn't sure about it when I took my first spoonful, but the flavours certainly grew on me.

The restaurant has a seating capacity of 120 with five private rooms.

CNY 2019 Menu

For enquiries and reservations, please contact Palace of the Golden Horses at 03-8946 4888 ext. 3781 or email fnbreservation@pgh.mines.com.my.


Pork-free.

Opening times: Monday to Sundays; Lunch 12pm-2.30pm; Dinner 6.30pm - 10.30pm. Closed on Tuesdays.

Location: Kim Ma Restaurant, Lobby Level, Jalan Kuda Emas, MINES Resort City, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.

Tel: 03-8946 4888 ext 3784

Website: http://www.palaceofthegoldenhorses.com.my/kim-ma/

GPS Coordinates: 3.046915, 101.709155



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Valentine's Day Menu 2019: TRACE Restaurant, Element Kuala Lumpur

This Valentine's Day, take your relationship to new heights, with a romantic dinner for two at TRACE Restaurant & Bar, located in the tallest eco hotel in KL, Element Kuala Lumpur. Celebrate love in the air and impress your valentine with a 5-course French menu, complemented by the stunning KL skyline.

Couples will be treated to an unforgettable culinary evening, starting with the amuse bouche of Pan seared scallops, served with caviar, saffron foam and basil oil while you sip on your Love Potions. 

For the entree, diners will be served a Salmon Confit with passion fruit caviar, micro greens and truffle oil as well as a Crab Meat Avocado Timbale with salmon roe and candied tomatoes. How delicate and pretty, I especially loved the popping passion fruit caviar which accentuated the flavours of the salmon.

The Wild Mushroom Soup, served with garlic brie toast was exceptional, with its smooth, velvety texture.

Palate cleanser - passion fruit sorbet

For mains, diners will be served a delicious meat and seafood platter, featuring Black Angus beef tenderloin, Rack of lamb and Salmon Fillet. Every component was well-prepared and tasty, and I loved the fact that I got to taste three different types of meat/fish rather than having to choose only one for my mains. The tenderloin and rack of lamb was especially good, it certainly pleased this meat lover! 

The Chocolate Indulgence and Cheese Cake, with heart-shaped chocolates and macarons will ensure couples have a sweet end to their meal.

Available for one night only (February 14, 2019), the menu themed "Be My Valentine" is priced at RM388 nett per couple. Additional RM100 nett to secure your window seat.

For reservation, please email TraceRB.Elementkl@elementhotels.com or call 03-2771 3388.

******

Connect with your loved one with a romantic staycation. Stay in any of the guest rooms, between 8 – 18 February 2019, indulge in breakfast in bed and surprise your partner with a love message written on the glass window.

Book date : Now – 16 Feb 2019
Stay date : 8 Feb – 18 Feb 2019

Price: from RM399+ per studio skyline per night; from RM459+ per one bedroom suite per night

Package is inclusive of:
- 2D1N stay in Studio Skyline or One Bedroom Suite
- Breakfast in bed at your desired time
- Two glasses of Welcome Drink
- Special Welcome Amenities
- Customized message written on the glass window

Reservations can be made via email at reservations.elementkl@elementhotels.com or call 03-2771 3388.

Pork-free.

Location: Trace Restaurant & Bar, Element Kuala Lumpur, Ilham Tower, 8 Jalan Binjai, Kuala Lumpur, 50450, Malaysia. (Parking RM5 per hour, RM10 per entry for F&B guests)

Tel: 03-2771 3388

Website: http://www.elementkualalumpur.com/dining



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