Pineapple tarts....for Chinese New Year...

my nastar cookie cutter.....

my pineapple rolls placed neatly in plastic containers

Chinese New Year is just around the corner.....so it is time to make some cookies......i made some pineapple tarts for a start recently......' pineapple' in hockien is 'ong lai' meaning ' wealth comes'.....so you can see the hanging of paper pineapples in the front door of some chinese houses during chinese new year....and the making and eating this delicious cookie....is synonymous with welcoming the new year with prosperity and wealth......but i made these cookies because my family and friends love it.....so here i would like to share my recipe with my fellow readers.......

Ingredients:

250 gm butter

50 gm icing sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 egg yolks

350 plain flour

50 gm cornflour

1 egg- lightly beaten for egg wash

Method:

Cream butter with sugar,vanilla extract and egg yolk til light anf fluffy....about 2 mins.....then add in sifted plain flour and cornflour.....mix well into a soft dough......take a handful of dough and put it in a nastar cookie mould....and press down with both thumbs......into 4 to 5 cm length (the tire track facing down).....put a teaspoon of pineapple jam on top and roll over....place tarts on tray.....lined with greased proof paper....and brush top with egg wash....made from a beaten egg......then bake in a preheated oven at 180 degree Celcius for 15 mins..til golden brown....

the rolled tarts before baking in oven..............

my rolled pineapple jam....which i rolled with both palms beforehand....you can buy your jam from specialist cake shop or you can make your own.....here is a recipe on how to make your own pineapple jam.....

Ingredients:

500 gms grated pineapple

150 gms castor sugar or to taste

3 cloves or 1/2 tsp pineapple essence

Method:

Cook all ingredients over medium low heat til thick and glossy.....leave aside to cool before using...

Note: More pics here.