Black & white x'mas with jeremy :)

i'm always very excited over x'mas just like a little boy =p
beside enjoying exchanging presents , yummy food and attractive x'mas decorations along town
it also happens to be my bestie jeremy's birthday too !

he's a santa's baby ! lol
that's why i always find him so blessed & lucky haha..

recently i'm so into designing and making my own birthday card !
i just did one for sherlyn's birthday and of cuz
one for jeremy too =)

thou it looks simple but i actually spend almost 2 hours doing it :/

the end product :)

miu miu .. hope u like the card i specially made for u =)

happy birthday once again miu miu !

our theme for the nite was black & white ..

our x'mas dinner ..

i really love this range of photos that i took with ben & jeremy :)

heart our expression lol ..

and of cuz

party time !

december is coming to an end ..
gotta cut down on parties and be a good boy
and start working hard !

but before i do
i'm giving myself a break first =p

alrite peeps that pretty sum up my x'mas
hope you guys enjoyed yours too ..
actually i will be leaving to hongkong for holiday in just few hours time ..
and i realize it's already my 5 th visit lol ..
i will miss you guys :)
hope i will be missed as well ( thick skin again ) lol ..
oh well , see ya guys 10 days later

happy new year 2009 in advance !

Specially bake for this X'mas ...

A mince pie is a british festive sweet pastry ,
traditionally consumed during christmas and new year period .
mince pies normally have a pastry top , but versions may also be found without the top
in which case they are known as mince tarts.
mince pies are filled with " mincemeat "
( a preserve typically containing apple , dried fruits such as raisins , sultanas , currants
cherries , citrus peel , spices etc )
Modern mince pies typically do not contain any meat,
but because suet is raw beef or mutton fat,
mince pies made with suet are not suitable for vegetarians.
Individual mince pies are usually 6–7.5 cm in diameter,
although larger mince pies, suitable for slicing, may also be baked.

What could be better at this time of year
than the glorious sweet waft of baking coming from the kitchen?
Surely only the alluring alcoholic whiff of mulled wine
can surpass the spicy aroma of mince pies for genuine festive cheer.

so as promised ,
i'm back with a christmas baking today !
let's check out what's the ingredients needed !

200g self raising flour
100g butter
25 g icing sugar for dusting
salt
1 egg yolk
1-3 tsp milk
300g ready made mincemeat ( contains mainly dried preserved fruits )
1 egg beaten for sealing and glazing

4 tsp brandy ( optional )

Note : Traditionally, fruit mince is made with suet, which is an animal fat.
Butter is used in this recipe.

In a large bowl, combine the butter , eggs , flour , sugar , salt , milk and mix thoroughly
Gather the dough into a ball.
If the dough is crumbly, add the remaining ice water by drops until the particles adhere.
Dust the pastry dough with a little flour.
Refrigerate for at least half an hour before using .

preheat the oven to 180 C

Roll out pastry between two sheets of baking parchment until it is about 3 mm thick.
Cut into circles, using a 7cm round pastry cutter.
Prick base with a fork , Ease the dough circles into butter greased tart mould and
carefully Spoon in 1-2 teaspoons of the fruit mince filling.
Re-roll the pastry trimmings. Cut into shapes and use to decorate the tops of the mince pies.
( for me i use a star shape cutter for the top )


brush beaten egg lightly on top before baking

Bake for 15 - 20 mins or until golden

freshly bake mince pies in da house !
smells good lol ... =p

Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve either warm or cold ,
dust with icing sugar and ready to serve :)

featuring my baking of the day :

CHRISTMAS MINCE PIES

it's been quite a while since i last bake ..
hope you guys like what i specially prepare for this x'mas :)
and hope i score well again =p

5 more days to my favorite festive season!

merry x 'mas to everyone in advance :)