Laptops, Pineapple Tarts and All that You've Missed

Well, Fujitsu has not too bad a customer service I must say. Firstly, the service centre is located right smack in the heart of orchard in Takashimaya. And there were less than 3 customers each time I went. The customer care people were also helpful. 3 cheers!

So what happened to my laptop? Motherboard crashed. Still under warranty (so its free!!!!!) if not I've gotta pay about $80 i think.

So many things to tell! Where shd I start?

Pineapple Tart Recipe
There are thousands of pineapple tart recipes out there. Some good, some sworn by, some to die for. Here's a modified one from an aunty in Serangoon who sells tarts by the thousands over the Chinese New Year.

Crust
Beat 500g butter till soft. Add 2 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add 2 tsp of vanilla essence. Add some flour if the mixture curdles. Add about 900 to 1000g (1kg) of plain flour till it forms a dough.

Pineapple Jam
This was really an agaration but its roughly a 1:2 ratio. 1 unit of sugar to 2 units pineapple. If you dont get it, just taste after adding like 5 tablespoons of sugar. Grate the pineapple with a fine holed grater, dont blend it. strain as much juice as possible without squeezing. Boil the pineapple and sugar mixture at low heat till dry. Add cloves, cinnamon, pandan leaves for fragrance. it will take about 3-4 hours for about 15 pineapples.







Here's a tip for the young, working people, get the fruit seller to skin the pineapple and remove the "eyes" for you. Pay a bit more, save time, spend more time chilling.

Well after the jam is cooled, roll out the dough, cut it with a press and place some pineapple on it. Bake at 180 degrees for about 20-25 min.







Well, I made like 15 pineapples for chinese new year, gave most away. May consider selling next year! :D

Peanut Creme
Made this yummy gummy peanut creme thingy. Chinese Dessert. Dont really have much of a thing for it but ss, Fil and Sil love it. Well, i loved the fragrance of the roasting peanuts (you cant get the ones without skin from NTUC to save the de skinning process) and sesame seeds over the stove. Then blending them together with a bit of water to form a thick paste.

Cooking/baking is therapeutic. Really. The thing about taking different ingredients and putting them together in appropriate quantities and creating one magnificent edible (or sometimes not very) dish/bake/dessert/etc is so therapeutic.

Well, thats all for now.

Here's to all the women with soccer-loving lovers (suckers for the ball!!). HAHAHAHAHA