OLA ...HOLA...HIYA...HI....I NEED UR VOTES....PLEASEEEEEEEEE HELLLLLPPP

Hi my dearest buddy's,pals and friends in blogosphere.TOday i so need ur help and a few moments of ur time...

I aint a high reader blog or have a high following high traffic but what i so cherish and love are the few wonderful people am just about meeting and loving u.

I love reading all u come up with in the kitchen and stopping by and leaving u a hi (though my laptop so is bugging with blogger comment boxes that are embedded below the post,including my own which i can treply on but yeah now i make it a oint to leave a reply on each of ur personal blogs when u leave me a little note of love and enjoy stopping by @ each of ur worlds too).
Now awhile ago i posted about THESE LOVELY GOAN PORTUGUESE CUPPY CAKES and have entered these for a very sweet contest I HEART CUPPY CAKES and now the votes are up http://www.sweetestkitchen.com/ @ JAimeAnnes world where she hosts this month.

I wont get even half way thru this without ur help so please do take a few moments of ur really precious time and do vote for me HERE.
(psst ...psst...last month i got no votes :-(((   )

Infact i baked another portuguese coconut cake yesterday which was v special but its too late to enter that one now and i dont even have the post ready.

Batica has a lot of emotional value too to me coz i have roots in goa and yeah we have loads of goan portuguese food...

And before i take any more of ur time,i do so muc wanna thank thank thank u ,loads of tonns of cartloads for the vote....

Happy holidays and keep rocking....

A BASIC EGGLESS CHRISTMAS COOKIE GEARS UP TO CHRISTMASY...

FROM A BASIC EGGLESS COOKIE RECIPE TO A CHOCO CHIPPY FILLED ,THUMBS IN THUMBALINA and CHOCO DIPPED CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Your watching Rachel Allens Bake said the presenter and yeah i sure was ,coz her basic cookies with her class were sitting in the oven and i knew that if i bake 'em a little longer these would jus be the right cookies....

This was a few months back and i really dunno why i waited this long to try this one out...its lovely,tweaked it a wee bit with extra choco chippy's and my expierence with soda bi carb has always been good with cookies so added a wee bit.

i usually halve a recipe for a reason(besides i'll have to bake again real quick),i have only 2 cookie trays that aint too bigg(yeah i need to get get 2 good ones) and this works well coz i leave 'em and run along with other errands and they are done-i always leave a cookie to cool in the oven coz i love the crispiness it adds.....

ADAPTED FROM RACHEL ALLENS BAKING WONDERS 'BAKE'



110 grams butter, softenned(salted)
55 grams(1/2 cup)confectioners/icing sugar
zest of a lemon +vanilla essence
5 OZ (140 grams-1cup+2 tbh) flour
1/4 tsp soda bicarbonate
100 grams (3/4 cup)choco chips(mixed white,milk and semisweet)

1.Beat ur softenned butter and cream well till soft.
2. Add the suagr n beat in well.
3. Tip in the flour and soda bicarb and the choco chips and bring a soft dough together with light hands.

4.Rolled a few into balls and flattenned,a few rolled in cinnamon sugar and thumbs in AND red & green jam filled...

 and a few with a fork (just got 17 cookies outa these)Some of the milky choco chipys melted well into the cookie forming a layer of gooey chocolate inbetween.....

These are the chocolate dippy ones with milk chocolate, i added a few drops of water instead of butter,as i did for another confectioners sugar kinda and had the milky chocolate turned into a gooey matty mass which i salvaged with some milk to get some ganache.......
Its a delicious milky choco ganache  that set beautifully.......... 
And decorates very beautifully.........

WISHING U A TWINKLING ,ROCKING, JOY BUBBLING MERRY CHEERY CHRISTMAS

AND WINNIE THE POOH AND FRIENDS WISHES U DEAR PAL A VERY CHEERY DAY TOO.....
KEEP THE MUSIC PLAYING......

MY FAV SANTA ,THAT SITS TIGHT ON OUR KITCHEN COUNTER ,BAKING COOKIES WITH ME ,JOINS POOHY POOH IN WISHING YOU TOO.........

OH SURE ,ITS A TIME TO INDULGE IN ALL THE LOVE FILLED DELICIOUSNESS TOO.....

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,ITS ABOUT JESUS,FOR WHOM WE CELEBRATE ,COZ OF WHOSE BIRTHDAY WE HAVE A WONDERFULL LIFE TO CELEBRATE.....

I WISH FOR ALL THE JOY,PEACE,LOVE FREEDOM AND ALL THE GOODIES WE ARE UN FULLFILLED IN OUR HEARTS,W/O,TO BE OURS THRU HIM FOREVER....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS.........WE LOVE UR BIRTHDAY THE WORLD OVER.....

CHOCO CHIPPY SUGAR COOKIES ALL DRESSED FOR CHRISTMAS

Oh i'm dreaming of a white christmas...

with every cookie in the store....
may i find em all cookies.....
to bake over milkies.....
and yeah gather 'em all recipes in the snow....

Oh ok ok,it began as a christmas jingle and then i rantled some gibberish trying to put across my journey of findin good cookies recipes and have 2 gorgeous cookie blogs to help me out...one is MEGANS BLOG....

.....a really cute blog that i fell in love with all her gorgeous cutie pie stuff and its thru her that i landed beautifully into a whole world of CHRISTMAS COOKIES-a fest ,a festival,an exchange and much more ,all thanx to SUSAN ..oh she's got a great biscotti too and thats my next bake....and i so love her site.....

Back to Megan,she's got a whole load of my type of cookie recipe-my type= crunchy crispy cookie's(i always bake 'em a bit longer yeah...

ANd have bookmarked quite a few here...(on megans cooking ie

I asked Megan about the crunchiness of this cookie,had to bother her though the cookie did look crunchy to me and she confirmed it(MUITISMO OBRIGADO MEGAN-thanx a ton in portuguese)...

Had to tweak it but w/o changing the basic recipe ofcourse-ie the toffee bits for one-couldn find any suitable so in wen some choco chip in double the quantity.I mixed in milk choco callets and 53% callets-

The other change is sparkling sugar ,i havent even found colored sugar yet-leave alone sparkling...

I did try making colored sugar but my color aint right i think.....

in the pic above& below the milky callets melted into the cookie...love that streak...

Thirdly i jus rolled 'em into balls @ random of different sizes and got around 22 cookies of different sizes and then a played with the dressing up...

HEre have gone the thumbalina way a bit by thumprinting and filling in jam and then dressing that up a bit with snow and silver balls....well let it snow
let it snow................let it snow was playing in the background.....
                                                           

HERE'S THE RECIPE ADAPTED FROM MEGANS COOKING BLOG
1)BEAT WELL
---1 cup sugar
---3/4th cup butter
---1 large egg
---1 tsp vanilla extract
2) ADD THE FOLLOWING SIFTED TOGETHER AND FOLD IN(honestly i never sift)
---2 cups flour
---1 1/2 tsp baking powder
---1/4 tsp soda
3)STIR IN 1 CUP OF MILK & DARK CHOCO CHIPS.

4)nOWS THE FUN...
roll into balls-roll a few in sugar-thumb print a few-use ur cookie press if u have one-sprinkle brown sugar.....the options are endless...
5)BAKE IN PRE-HEATED OVEN AT 180*C,TILL DONE.(10-15MINS)

6)COOL COMPLETLY BEFORE U DECORATE....

7)HERE'S HOW I PUT TOGETHER THE FROSTING-
take a little spoon and stir well some icing sugar,with some liquid of that hazlenut chocolate paste floats in(i have a tub of this turkish paste that has a lot of liquid)and little jus boiled water till u get the right consistency& yeah some vanilla extract and ur done...few drops of food color if u wan or leave it snow white....

And i was glad to put by my recent goodie bag to decorate these-ie some pink n white marshmellows and hersheys toppings and silver balls...
and yeah the exciting parts Jerri jus left in a sprinkle about sweet thursdays and got me all excited that thought i'll do my bit...with my heart...loving it....

HOLLY BLOGGY CHRISTMAS-TRADITIONS GALORE

So much means tradition to me playing that 1st carol mistle toe . . . . .
Putting up my xmas tree way up early with my hand made bows of ribbons i truly had to hunt for , me living in a place that aint a shoppers paradise in this category
ever so very rarely do i stir towards outfits or grooming, im more of a track pant tshirt gurl and satin pyjamas will be more likely on my personal wish list than a little black number or silletoes. . .

I love cute personified bt yeah a farahniet or pleasure intense does make me weak in my knees. . .u hve steered away frm the highway again u remind me. . .but suprising no,i reali havent coz ws hoverng around gift buying = shoping,nw dats an all year round tradition i know. . . . .i could go on n on about traditions beyond food but foods just round the corner as is moms assado de galinho e salada de bacalau and my stuffed turkey with reducd sauce n a great fruit cake n yeah loads of cookie exchange too...

Whats a traditional dinner w/o hollow pilar candles lendn a warm goldn glow with d help of doz amazing tea lites,frangranced with a good dose of real vanila,their flames go on n on,i think tealites is an amazn discovery,i mean invention ie


Christmas time would have me collecting all thats green n red ,gol and sive and all things that look like a dream n well watever gives me lite with the help of a tealite is mine for the season....and this is tradition to me too coz it means the world to me....

Collecting glasses,holders n what have you is a passion too-aint that a tradition as well.......
Last time round i got sme kinda glases,very cute mind u.ie after i was done workin with them.
I spary painted 'em golden with a spray paint,glitter ing beautifull ribbons in hues of red & ofcourze my by nw infamous tea lite completed my take aways,not w/o the help of some bamboo baskets n golden tool-
u lite ur takeawy as u take it away 2ur home sweet home from ours on Christmas day and yeah take aways are a part of our tradition too....

Now i wasnt writng abt Christmas,was i?oh wat did i begin with?tealite n all tings spice?
Wel dats me i begin2write n jus go with the flow n before i know it am at d north pole at santa s door
So muc for writing with my heart-and yeah ofcourse we were talking Christmas traditions here so i dont need to tell myself---write w ur mind gurl,go strait

The Christmas flames of traditions are always alive
n i simply cnt stop or should i really...
October end or even earlier all our cutlery,linen n what have u begins 2 scream red white green n cream?And it happens every year in a regular tradition kinda fashion.....
No hustling n bustling n jostling for space,after all in a big big heart there's space for everyone....
Love the feeling that it feels like xmas......
fragrance of pine n hollies fills the air.........
sounds of bells n jingles rendering.....
sip of sweet wine(though i prefer a chilled pepsi in my wine glass) with all dat u dine........
And oh kissing under the mistletoes(best left to the magical christmas movies).....
Hasn't d fragrance of it all begun working its magical suprises.....
well m more then set2 welcome behold a month of carols n xmas ryhmes,
marzipans n sweetys.....
and candies and cookies.....
n ofcourze ur superspiced stuffed turkey with a pudding so well flambey'd......
oh h o o la la la
There's so much of red u'll find all around my home,red sheets n curtains n linen
cups n saucers,plates n serves, d wipecloths n catch cloths wish u merry xmas2!
N ofcrz a fair share,very big fat fair shair of laces n nets n satins in golds n reds.......
not an eyesore but a squeal of delite i assure u.....
Aint all this tradition-to my world-yeah it so muc is......

And my fav corner w marzipan,macron cookies,chocs n walnut bals in oversized transprnt cookie jars, tie'd up wit ribbon over a red checkd cloth, hog d limelite till a few very hungry tummies take over..................
Brandied butter n pates share a good space in d cold ladder(read refrigeration)Aint that tradition too?


lods f wreaths n snow filled sheaths round n around
n my xmacy xmas tree wit my hand made,not v fancy bows n 100 of twinkling lites make me wndr,hey m i reali ms claus?
Wel u saw d head wit d red claus cap pop from d car window?Thats so muc a tradition to me too......coz...
Hey hey dat was me u c....wishing u cheers....
THESE AND MANY MORE ARE A PART OF ME-THE TRADITIONS OF ME AND MY LIFE...
Loved that u tk d time to read and thank u for that.....
AND A VERRY MMERRRRYY CHEERRYY CHRISTMAS...
BOAS FESTAS.......
AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS....

WILL BE ADDING PICS HERE SOON-MY UPLOADING TAKES A WEE BIT TIME...SORRY..

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE TOPPED INTENSELY GOOEY CHOCOLATEY BROWNIE

Brownies...my eyes are on auto shut ....& i drool....i've eaten many a brownie but never baked one.(ok i wrote this before i baked--this gorgeous brownie---)

Truth be told have been wanting to bake these brownie's since feb'09 ,for valentines,was torn between nigella double chocolate(saw her on television) & baked(read an article)but both had me lacking in my pantry supplies...oh where will i find 'real' choco chips & boy 60-70% choco,i simply couldn try it with the compounded choco.

Then was dreaming about all the possible toppings,most of my loved brownies have been with walnuts so it'll definately have to have walnuts...walnuts with praline...well that would be a fantastic topping i thought....& then another recipe stared back at me,davids lieta doce brownies....o doce leita,eu ti ama....

But now where on my earth will i find 72% chocolate ( talk about resorcing here-research&hunting a plenty) and real while chocolate chips.

Well wasnt budging to whip any brownie till i had these...oh yes i have been calling & making calls to get hold of something....but nothing yet...gorgeous callebaut choco callets.

Spoke to a chef of a resorte close by & he did brief me about chocos et all,knowledgable ,yes very......

(ok now i have all the callebaut chocolate i need)
So till then these brownies are on hold,hold hold....and am waiting to catch how best i can shape them,have been eating bars yup so there's place for 'em too

Oh i wouldn want to be asked to chose between a brownie and a cookie,would i? they both so delicious and i would love to have my cake and eat it too, so this recipe truly struck home, can i have delicious , rich fudgy chocolaty browine and have to bite into a chocolate chip cookie every time i hit there. . ahh. . ....gotcha

now there are a few brownie recipes am eyeing for my first ever take stepping in time , walking strait into wonderful wonder choco land with brownies all over town.....AND THIS GORGEOUS NIGELLA LAWSON RECIPE WE BAKED FOR SWEET AND SIMPLE BAKES AS ALSO FOR ,IHCC,THATS COOKING NEGELA RIGHT NOW,WAS MY FIRST EVER BROWNIE

Its like you cant get past the choco chip , or have to go thru the choco chip only to sink your teeth into that gorgeous brownie, brownie points all the way thru.... Or you simply cant just get thru unless you begin the other way round, but who wants to and whose complaining any way....its more a pleasure truly....

Ok here my taste buds ,were not just talking but crying out to me....brownie ...brownie & here i was just the basic brownie which have read so much about on the net,its the baked brownie from new frontiers in baking.

This is a brownie(HAVENT TRIED THIS ONE YET) that has won many a heart & an award for being the best dense(oh i love densey densey),chocolatey & gooey slightly fudgy brownie,by America's test kitchen folks,i coudnt agree more...oh am already so drooling.....can it get any better than this???????I would love to buy this book truly but havent yet been able to begin building up a collection.(Books are expensive,yet priceless)

bUT having this perfect brownie recipe,i stuck to it and as was browsing all over space for great toppin i landed right here @ eggs on sunday and viola....she has the perfect choco chip brownie topping and for the brownie yeah i'll stick to the most gorgeous ever nigella lawsons recipe below...

Now i quartered this recipe for a THE HAMPERS so go on 4 times more -its worth it........


ADAPTED FROM SWEET AND SIMPLE BAKES(A NIGELLA LAWSON RECIPE)


93 grams choco(3/4 CUP is around 100 grams of chips) and butter each
1-2 WHOLE VANILLA BEANS,CAVIAR SCRAPPED(i love extra vanilla else 1/2 should be fine or 1/2 tsp of extract)
1.5 LARGE eggs or 2 small eggs
87 grams powdered sugar(1/2+1 tbh is 115 grams granulated sugar so powder 1/2 cup granulated sugar)
56 grams palin flour(1/2 cup is around 60 grams)
62 grams white chocochips-(1/2 cup +2 tbh)


NOW IN THE BRAKETS ARE THE ROUGH CUP MEASURES I FOLLOWED FOR WANT OF A DIGITAL SCALE
1)1.Melt the chocolate ,butter & over a double boiler,ie with a glass bowl over a pan of simmering water,stirring occasionally till chocolate & butter are completeltly melted-a gorgeous smooth silky mix.(I MICROWAVED FR 30 SECS)


2)In a separate bowl,beat the eggs together with the sugar and vanilla BEANS.


3)Allow the grogeous chocomix to cool a bit( mins)@ add the sugar& eggy mix and beat in well.


4)Fold in the flour and the salt and the white chocolate buttons/callets./chips or a mix as i used.


beat to combine well.


5)Pour into tin foil(makes it easier to cut up)and drop cookie batter and spread witha wet spatula.


6) Bake for around 25-35 mins in a pre-heated oven @180*c.(i took almost 45 mins and it was perfect but thats my oven for u)


Now here u really need to watch not to over bake coz u have a cookie dough too.
Only for the brownies,the min the top will form a crust of lighter brown hue....
There are a only few mins difference between a gooey,fudgy and dry brownies so watch out for that one....

WOW,THIS HAS TO BE THE BEST SUPERBLY CHOCOLATELY ,GOOEY BROWNIE I HAVE EVER EATEN....LIKE BITING INTO RICH CHOCOLATE BAR THIS ONE..............

CHOCOCHIP COOKIE TOPPING
ADAPTED FROM THE FANTASTIC BLOG-EGGS ON SUNDAY..
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour(5tbh)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 sticks (12 tbsp) salted butter, at room temperature(-45 GRAMS)
3/4 cups (packed) light brown sugar(-3tbh)
2/3 cup confectioner sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped into chips, or 1 cup storebought chocolate chips


AGAIN BRAcKETS IS COZ I QUARTERED THE RECIPE TO TOP ONE PART OF THE BROWNIES

As i advance making this cookie dough my excitement is building up-i mean i'm going to have a choco-chip cookie brownie soon....


1.Beat butter along with both sugars till smooth & creamy. Add an egg at a time,beating inbetween.Add vanilla.
2.fOLD in the flour sifted with baking soda & chocolate chips.


NOW THIS DOUGH DOES SINK A LITTLE INTO THE BROWNIE MIX-BUT ONLY A WEE WEE BIT AND I SPREAD IT SLOWLY WITH THE BACK OF A WET SPOON...

I MADE A THINNER LAYER TO GET A CRISPY TOPPIN....

AND THE MAIN PARTS NOW YEAH AM SENDING THESE BROWNIES TOO ,TO SUSAN OF FOOD BLOGGA FOR HER FANTASTIC COOKIE FESTIVAL-OH U HAVE AN ARRAY OF COOKIES HERE.....

mY CHRISTMACY MOODS...NOR MY COOKIE MOODS HAVE DWINDLED YET SO AM LINKING THIS LOVELY BROWNIE PERFECT FOR DESSERT WITH A SCOOP OF ICE CREAM @ MY KRAZY KITCHEN