The above is a picture of a 3 inch diameter Chinese cookie with a rather amusing name -
'The Hong Kong House-wife Biscuit'. I was taught how to make it this afternoon at my Sunday baking class. How come the 'house-wife' term being used? I was told by one of the Chinese ladies there that this is a special biscuit made only for special occasions e.g. engagement ceremonies. Maybe after the engagement, the Hong Kong wife-to-be has to prepare this cookie for the man of the house! Thus the 'house'wife' bit? I'm only kidding. I'm really ignorant as to its origin.
The method in making it is quite intricate, though when you look at the final product, it doesn't look that difficult. It consists of two types of pastries - one rolled delicately into the other and then filled with a ball of glutinous paste with bits of dried winter melon - typical of Chinese delicasies. Then the 'ball' is flattened for the upteenth time, then glazed with egg yolk-honey mixture and then sprinkled with sesame seeds. Finally baked in the hot oven for a few minutes.
When you want to eat it, you cannot break it with your fingers. You have to bite into it because the pastry is flaky and soft. It tasted quite nice - the two types of patries plus the glutinous paste filling. I thought that was an interesting experience.
Oh well - here's for "ONE MALAYSIA"!
It's fun to dribble on the cupcakes! Made to order . . .
