Happy Chinese New Year, Kung Hei Fat Choy

Thanks for everyone who placed order for the Chinese New Year. I wish everyone have a healthy and wealthy Year of Rabbit.

Chinese New Year Packing

The coming year is Year of Rabbit.

People born (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987 or 1999) in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog.

Macaron vs Macaroon

Macaron
A macaron is a sweet confectionery made with egg whites, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder or ground almond, and food coloring. The macaron is commonly filled with buttercream or jam filling sandwiched between two cookies. Its name is derived from an Italian word "maccarone" or "maccherone". This word is itself derived from ammaccare, meaning crush or beat, used here in reference to the almond paste which is the principal ingredient. It is meringue-based: made from a mixture of egg whites, almond flour, and both granulated and confectionery sugar.
The confectionery is characterized by its smooth, domed top, ruffled circumference (referred to as the "foot"), flat base, mildly moist and easily melted into mouths.
Macarons can be found in a wide variety of flavors that range from the traditional (raspberry, chocolate) to the new (truffle, green matcha tea). The fillings can range from jams, ganache, or buttercream.


Macaroon
In North America, the coconut macaroon is the best known variety. Commercially made coconut macaroons are generally dense, moist and sweet, and often dipped in chocolate. Homemade macaroons and varieties produced by smaller bakeries are commonly light and fluffy.
Macaroons made with coconuts are often piped out with a star shaped tip, whereas macaroons made with nuts are more likely shaped individually due to the stiffness of the dough.

Since the English word macaroon can also refer to the Coconut macaroon, many have adopted the French spelling of macaron to distinguish the two items in the English language. However, this has caused confusion over the correct spelling of the cookie. Some recipes exclude the use of macaroon to refer to this French confection while others think that they are synonyms.

* Macaron and Macaroons' description picked up from Wiki. Photos picked up from the web (copyright unknown).

Green Tea Cheesecake

Creamy cake with a hint of green tea flavor. Garnished with mix berries and a shortbread base.
Ingredients: green tea powder, cream cheese, sour cream, egg and sugar.

Check it out at Bakery 22

Orange Polenta Biscuit

Something new for the New Year. Happy New Year everyone!

Ingredients: butter, sugar, polenta, orange zest and unbleached flour.