Chinese New Year

TWD @ Chinese New Year:

Fresh Ginger and Chocolate Gingerbread

TWD

The onset of Chinese New Year brought truckloads of opportunities for baking and feeding the crowds craving for a little piece of sweet nothing even after their more than satisfactory meals. In all respect of the nature of this week's TWD challenge as posed by Heather of Sherry Trifle (check out her blog for the recipe!), I decingingly baked the Fresh Ginger and Chocolate Gingerbread as a tea time treat for the Aunties visiting my Dayima's house on new year's day. To be honest, the recipe was a real hassle, requiring freshly grated ginger, ginger powder, melted chocolate and chopped chocolate bits. All a little too much for lazy me of course. But the end result made it all worthwhile. What burst out of the fridge after a quick blast to set the chocolate glaze was a ligh, moist and subtly spiced cake balanced by the inclusion of everyone's FAVOURITE... chocolate. I could live with this combination forever!

With the lovely confection transported to the aunt's house without a taste test on my part.. i was strangely confident that this would be a hit over with the aunties. And truth to be, upon reaching the gates of the house, with my freshly baked crostata di mirtillo e cocco in tow, I was greeted by praises that the cake went down lovely with a cup of tea. Destination: Cloud 9...

So I would like to pose a major thanks to Heather for picking this week's recipe! Sure was a winner in my books!

for more versions of this beauty. please tune in to the TWD blogroll!

gingerbread

Moving on.. Here are some photo collages from the many Chinese new visits to my relatives houses that I thought would be nice to share. Tumultous amounts of loading up on foods.. new year goodies. It's no wonder many go back to work/school after the festivities with an extra paunch. ARGH...

dayima's hse

at my dayima's place on New Year's eve. Stupid Brother had to pick some silly game for all of us to play. And of course I can recognise my own mother's face blindfolded!!! haha.

steamboat

the next day @ my er-yi's place for steamboat. I swear that the amount of food purchased was enough to feed at least 30 people! to think we only had 15 at the table.. haha. That's the thing about CNY, MORE! but never less... haha.

littleindia

then a little midnight shopping with Babe and his family @ Mustafa Little India. The spice alley.. oh my gosh!!! I just get so excited thinking about it!

The next day was spent at my ah-ma's house for lunch and then dinner again at Dayima's house with the extended family. No photos to show though. Had my taste of chinese new year again after a continous run-away from the hustle and bustle over the past years, Kuantan in 2006 and Pulau Lang Tengah in 2007 (still one of the most spectacular island scenaries I had ever seen). A taste of family gatherings and nonstop reunions from house to house, guess I would be suffering from withdrawal effects. And after pushing away the notions that I had once hated Chinese New Year for its mundaness, I actually enjoyed myself this year. How often do you get to see all your relatives, (catch up on the latest gossips), enjoy good food and what not in a short span of 2 days?! What more could I ask for seriously.. haha.

More visiting to do today though.. sigh. Do come back for a slice of my crostata di mirtillo e cocco later!

hand

Thank you dear for being with me through all of the rough times,

riding the waves together...

You're my solace.

22 comments:

The Food Librarian said...

Lovely! Happy New year! All looks delicious!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year! Your gingerbread looks delicious and wonderful. I'm glad it was a hit.

Anonymous said...

looks you had lots of fun! busy bai nian. haha. happy chinese new year :)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous cake! What a fantastic way to ring in the new year!

Sabrina said...

Happy New Year! Your gingerbread looks wonderful!!! Looks like you also had a wonderful time! :)

chocolatechic said...

Happy New Year.

We just loved this recipe.

I didn't find it fussy at all.

Nancy/n.o.e said...

I love seeing photos of all of your New Year celebrations! Everything looks delicious and I'm glad the cake was a hit with the aunties - look at your 9 perfect slices!
Nancy

snicketmom said...

Glad it was a delicious part of your holiday! Wonderful food and family make the perfect combination. Your photos are beautiful too!

Peggy said...

Oh I wish I could have been there for all that food! YUM. And your chocolate gingerbread looks so delicious.

Cooking for Comfort by Jennifer said...

Wow, you really did a beautiful job! Your cake looks great!

Looks like you had a great time with family and friends...Happy New Year!

I love the picture at the bottom, "the hand that comforts me." How beautiful!!!!

Flourchild said...

Happy New Year..I love you pictures of your friends and family..wonderful. Where in China do you live? I have a dear friend in Bejing. SHe is from Idaho but has lived there for a total of five years. Oh great bread too.
By the way your web site is amazing. YOu have quite the gift in baking and decorating.

Sihan said...

Flourchild: hey michelle! gosh. i don't live in China. Singapore actually in Southeast Asia. haha. THanks for your compliments anyway! Think its time to take this all to a new level soon! hehe.

spike. said...

Glad everyone liked the cake, looked like a fun time!

kimberly salem said...

beautiful job on the cake!! it looks so yummy, and it looks like you had a lot of fun during the holiday! :)

vibi said...

Happy New Year to you and your family!!! (I'm so proud of the fortune cookies I made for the occasion! LOL LOL I know! They're not Chinese!)
I'm glad your aunties enjoyed the gingerbread at tea time! ...you must have been really proud!
Very well done, Sihan!

Pamela said...

Looks like a good time was had by all. Your cake turned out beautifully. I really enjoyed it, that's for sure!

Rachel said...

Love the party pictures! And your cake looks great as usual!

Bria said...

Looks like you had a great time with family and friends. Your gingerbread cake looks really yummy. I love the look of it in squares.

Anonymous said...

your gingerbread looks great. it always looks like you have such a good time with family and friends.

Jacque said...

Mmmm, I'm glad everyone loved it. The party looked like a big hit.

Sherry Trifle - Lovely Cats said...

A lovely glossy gingerbread! I am so pleased your aunts enjoyed it.

Cathy said...

Happy New Year! Your gingerbread looks gorgeous -- looks like everyone had a great time!