Christmas Tree

Finally put up the Christmas tree!
It'll be our last free Xmas, but we know there are many amazing Christmas to come.

Christmas sweet--Mint Chocolate Balls

This year we're going to have a simpler Christmas; we want to save more time for preparing our baby's come. It is a very special period for us both, indeed.


However, some traditions should still be kept for this amazing festival which is only once a year: put up a Christmas tree, send Christmas cards, buy presents, prepare a feast and snacks. All are on the must-do list.


Besides the gingerbread man, I'll make one more delightful treat this year. It's called Mint Chocolate Ball. This little ball looks so adorable, and is very easy to make. All you need are just patience.


You can make this treat, and store it in the fridge two to three days before Christmas. When your family visits, you can place it on a beautiful plate to serve. It must be a very popular sweet for either adults and children.  


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Christmas sweet--Mint Chocolate Balls






Ingredient A: (40's)
40g....................Salted Butter
4cups.................Icing Sugar
2tbsps................Evaporated Milk
1tbsp.................Vanilla Extract
1tbsp.................Peppermint Extract




Ingredient B:
300g.................Chocolate (I used milk chocolate here, but you can use dark chocolate if you like)
1tbsp................Butter




Methods:
1. Whisk all ingredients in A together until the mixture is smooth and soft. Place it into the fridge with a saran warp cover. Freeze it for at least an hour, or until it firm.
2.  Lay a piece of foil on the table, and sprinkle a thin layer of icing sugar on top. Set aside.
3. Take out (1) from the fridge. Dust your finger with some icing sugar.  Then take a small portion of  (1) and roll into a ball shape. The process has to be quick to prevent from melting.
4. When the balls are done, wrap them up and freeze them into a freezer for about three hours. 
5. Melt the ingredient B over some hot water. Give all the mint balls a quick dip with it, and then put them back to the fridge. Take them out right before serve.

Cats and their leashes

The two cats seem to enjoy sneaking out to the balcony or the roof top a lot.


They definitely count the three-second door-open time we have to run outside.  Every time when they're out, they will speed to our neighbor's roof top, where they know they can be safe because we have never climbed over and got them.  Smart move!


I didn't care if they were out until I found Sesame loves to chase flies.  I mean, he doesn't care what it may cause him to chase a little fly.  It happened a few times that he almost "flew" over the roof for it.  That scared us to death!


Pepper isn't interested in flies at all, but he likes to sneak into neighbors' gardens, even their homes.
Anyways, we have a little furry burglar. 


For keeping them outside safely and properly, we got them each a leash.  My mother-in-law got these leashes in Canada; the cats are way too big to fit any we can find here.


It was the first day when they tried the new leash.  Pepper was completely frozen when we just put it on.


Sesame came to his feet faster. He ran to the scratching post and scratched it crazily. Sesame thought, "Take this off. I don't like it."


"Come on, you're going to like it. I bring you outside to feel it, okay?" said G. Bear.

However, Sesame couldn't enjoy his "free-walk" much.  He kept staring at the leash attached to his neck when he walked.


"What is this strange thing following me?"  He sped up, and tried to cross around the table to get rid of his predator.   But somehow the leash was caught.

"Oh my! It is pulling me." exclaimed Sesame.


"What's up, bro?" Pepper asked anxiously.

"This monster is pulling me and going to eat me ... or us both.  Get out of here. Call help!" 


Then, the two little cats kept tapping the sliding window wanting to get in.


They scared themselves so much. 

They still don't like the leash now, but I guess no cat does.  Anyway, now they learn that the leash means to go out and it is not a monster.  Isn't it a good ending?

The wind went much stronger during the evening, but Observatory said it was unlikely to hoist typhoon signal No 8.  I didn't sleep tight throughout the night, the wind sounded too wild out there, and I even heard some glass or clay pots breaking outside a few times.


The next morning, the sky looked so dim as if it was going to collapse.  All the windows and doors at home were shaking with the wind.  Oh, the No 8 was here I realized. 


A string of excitement swept through my heart!  I went up to the window and checked outside!


What had the typhoon done last night?  I couldn't believe my eyes.


I saw a canopy disaster.  Some of the neighbors' canopies were broken, but one had completely become shreds flying in the air while the other was long gone with the wind.  


Many people's backyards turned to an absolute big mess!  We were a bit lucky.  We only lost a dust bin and almost lost a baby tub which I had put on the balcony.   


No one would walk in the street, the whole main street became so dead.  I only saw some fire fighters pass by once with a chainsaw in their hands.  I thought there must be some toppled trees somewhere.


The No 8 signal lasted for 12 hours, so G. Bear got his additional  day off.  But we did not dare to go out in this weather.  We decided to stay home.


We burnt some essential oil, played some music!  The atmosphere turned out perfectly worth it.  It was a nice end for us in this wild weather.

Lamma Dragon Boat team won many medals in the race last weekend in Sha Tin.  G. Bear's boat got two bronzes.  They will represent Hong Kong to compete with other teams around the world next year.  Proud of Lamma Dragons.

Red Bean Soup n Mochi (5 minute version)

Script

The baby is 6 months along now.  Time is passing quickly!


Baby has started to kick.  I can feel it about 7-8 times per hour.  It is like a big goldfish swimming inside your tummy, or some popcorn popping suddenly.  The feeling is hard to describe as my mother-in-law said: It is special and unique. 


Mom's very pleased to see my tummy getting rounder and bigger everyday, she just can't help smiling.  She cares about the baby a lot, and is often concerned if we've prepared enough clothing for the baby.  It makes me feel so touched!  My Mom and mother-in-law both love me so much!


It was Lantern Festival last week.  Mom and I spent the whole day in the kitchen to prepare the special dinner for the family.  Mom taught me 7 Chinese dishes at a time.  She said I have to cook for the family once I become a mother.  I'd love to try, but I know Mom's cooking is always the best.


Everyone got a day off after the festival, so we decided to join the OCC team to paddle to Cheung Chau from Lamma.  The weather was awesome, it wasn't hot like crazy anymore.  Instead, there was breeze all the time.  But the water was very rough off the shore, I thought the boat would got knocked over a few times.  An hour or so later, we arrived in Cheung Chau with 8.8km.  I was proud I did it and rewarded myself with a delicious cheese burger at the beach.


My mother-in-law said I can do whatever I'm doing now because that makes me look healthy and beautiful.


I have chances to achieve what I like.  I am definitely a lucky girl.  Meanwhile, I'm learning to help those people who need the chance, so that everyone can fairly enjoy the world together.

(The second when we arrived Cheung Chau)



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Red Bean Soup n Mochi (5 minute version)


Ingredients: (for 2 people)
1...................... Canned Red Bean Paste
2 pcs ............... Mochi (Green Tea flavor)




Methods:
1. Cut the mochi into 4 small pieces each, then reheat them with a microwave for about a minute, or until they're soft enough to eat.  Put aside.
2. Pour out the red bean paste, and mix it with 4 tablespoons of water; reheat the paste with the microwave.
3. Place the mochi on top of the bean paste.  Serve in hot.

Energy breakfast---Walnut Rice Paste

There was a popular toy in my generation, called Tamagotchi.  


It's a digital pet.  Many kids loved it, raised it as a real pet and were even addicted to it: fed it, bathed it, played games with it, did whatever you're supposed to do with a real pet 24 hours 7 days.  Many parents thought their kids had gone crazy and overdone it!  Hahaha!


It is a memorable toy.


Recently, G. Bear has become a Tamagotchi: I send him one or two SMS to make sure if he has lunch, if he hydrates himself enough, and I even remind him to attend the OCC and dragon boat practices on time.  


He apparently enjoys this very much and has truly become a responsible Tamagotchi.  


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Energy breakfast --- Walnut Rice Paste


Rice is rich in carbohydrate.  It's good to be eaten right after exercise in the morning. 




Ingredients: (4-5 servings) 
2.5 Bowels .................. Cooked Mixed Rice
3 tbsps ......................... Roasted Black Sesame
1 cup ........................... Roasted Walnut
3.5 tbsps ...................... Brown Sugar
2 cups .......................... Milk




Methods:
1. Put all the ingredients into a blender, then blend them until smooth.
2. It can be served in cold or hot.

Rasin n Chocolate Soft Cookies

It's been a while since I have made cookies or any snakes for G. Bear.  We both have been busy lately and haven't had much time to spend together.  I think the cookies will be a good thing to show my love. 


The upcoming weekend will be a special one for us, because we're participating in a OCC race in Middle Island.  I'm just so up for it and wish it comes sooner.  It's the first race and likely will be the last one for me this year, so my feeling is just complex.  Anyways, wish us luck.


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Rasin and Chocolate Soft Cookies


Ingredients: (15-18 pieces) 
250g ................. Black Rye Flour
1 ....................... Egg
1tsp .................. Baking Powder
1.5 tsps ............ Vanilla Extract
140g ................ Soft Non-salted Butter
70g .................. White Sugar
70g .................. Brown Sugar
1/8tsp ............... Salt
1/2cup .............. Baking Chocolate
1/2cup .............. Rasins






Methods:
1. Blend the butter with the sugar until fine and smooth.

2. Add the remaining ingredients except the chocolate and the rasins, then mix them well.
3. Blend in the last two ingredients and continuously mix everything together .
4. Scoop each portion of batter with a spoon, then place it onto a baking sheet.
5. Place the batter into the pre-heated oven, and bake it for about 10-15 minutes at 170C; Cool the cookies on a rack before putting them in an air-tight container.

Stir-fry noodle with milky sauce

I was looking at some old photos we took two years ago today.  So many memories came to mind. 


I recalled it was right after the financial crisis.  The market was so dead.  Even though G. Bear had been trying to find job, he only found disappointment.  


It was a terrible time for us too.  My job wasn't enough for living, and we still had to pay back the debt from our wedding monthly.  We were completely broke.  The sky looked dimer in those days.


Amazingly, something that seemed to be brighter was the love from G. Bear to me.  I knew he only ate bread everyday while I was gone for work in order to save pennies, and he would never use any except for going to interviews by transportation.  


But he brought me to my favorite restaurant on my birthday and our anniversary day.  He insisted on giving me good memories and the best in all special occasions.  It was so touching!


What a lucky person I am to have such a wonder man beside me.   


The next part of this sentimental story continued two years later, it was today......


I was so touched for the whole evening, so I made a quick phone call to G. Bear and wanted to tell him how much I love him.  


G. Bear picked up the call, but instead of hearing his gentle voice, I heard his business tone which made me tongue tied.  I totally forgot he was working!


This sweet guy didn't know his wife was so sentimental on the other end, and just kept asking "are you okay?".  


Now we have our home, and live a satisfying life.  G. Bear is always busy, but he still love me so much.  I am a lucky woman. 






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Stir-fry noodles with milky sauce




Usually when I do the regular clean up for the fridge and cupboard, I find some leftovers.  And I will make up some interesting dishes.  This time, what food was left:  hotdogs, milk and a bag of organic noodles.  So why not make a dish of stir-fry noodles?




Ingredients: (For 2 people)
3 cups ............. Cooked Noodles
2 slices ............ Cheese
15g ................. Butter
4 ..................... Hotdogs, cubed 
1/2 cup ............ Milk
5g ................... White Sesame
Dried Basil Leaves
Ground Black Pepper
Salt




Methods:
1. Stir fry the sesame and hotdog with butter until it's fragrant.
2. Add noodles and basil; stir fry the noodles a little bit.
3. Pour in milk, put in cheese and seasoning.  Keep stir frying it until the sauce becomes sticky; serve in hot.

Onesie

These onesies are one of the gifts from our family.  They're like two little cupcakes, so adorable that I almost couldn't take them apart.  Thank you, I love them very much!

Baby is 5 months now, and we've done another ultrasound check yesterday.  He, yes he is a boy!  Looked very active, kept bouncing under the ultrasound.  I still can't feel the kick yet, but I know it won't be far away.

My parents-in-law arrived to H.K. safely!  The first sight when we caught each other at the airport, our tears almost burst out.  We missed them so much. 


They brought a whole suitcase of baby stuff to us.  There were a few beautiful jumpers, blankets, photo frame, towels and a teddy bear ... all were from the family, which represented their love and wishes. We were so touched.


Mom brought us some additional surprise---G. Bear's baby clothing, books and toys.  It was such a surprise for me.  I couldn't believe that Mom would save his baby items for so many years and they were all in very good condition.  One of the things was a diary which recorded many things that G. Bear liked or disliked when he was still an infant.  Mom bought a new one for me and asked me to do the same if I would like.  I can write down what he/she usually does, what questions he/she will often ask, what food he/she likes or dislikes the most.  Everything I write down will become the baby's good memory when he/she is grown up.  I like this idea very much, and I will surely do it.


I want to be a good Mom, like my Moms, so that my baby will grow with love, happiness and healthily, like G. Bear.
  

Jelly Tea

My Present

The birthday this year was similar to the last one.  I also celebrated at home with my love, enjoyed the quiet night together with sushi buy-out and my favorite cake, black forest.  Beside him, it was the best present I've had.


This wind chime was my birthday's present that I'd wanted for several months.  Now, I have it!  It's hinging on the window, making some clear and melodious sound. 


You may asked why I didn't buy it myself? Why I had to wait for a few months?


Because it's different.  After the wait, I realized that how much I actually like the wind chime; when my love bought me a gift, that made it more meaningful.  Memory! It was the real gift I wanted to have as if the birthday's apple pie he made for me last year.




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Jelly Tea




Exact same taste as the normal tea we have everyday! The different is that it's in a cold, jelly form.  Let's try something interesting in a hot summer! 

Ingredients:
2 .................... Good quality morning tea bag
4 tsps ............. Brown Sugar (You can adjust the amount as your taste)
1 1/2 tsps ....... Gelatin
2 tea cups .......Hot Water
1 glass ........... Full Milk




Methods:
1. Make the tea with the tea bags and water, discard the tea bags after. 
2. Mix a little water with the gelatin, then stir into the tea quickly.
3. Add brown sugar and give a stir, make sure the sugar is dissolved.
4. Pour the tea into the serving container, and freeze it until the jelly is totally firm.
5. Pour some milk onto the jelly before serve.

Since I joined the OCC team and took part in practices, I found myself much happier.  G. Bear said I've also become more talkative and active. 

There is a competition at the end of this month.  It will be my first and also the last competition this year, because the baby will reach 7 months by the fall, I can't take any intensive excise and event anymore.  That's why I will now value the time more when I am on the ocean, every training and every opportunity.  

This week we had a full weekend.  G. Bear and I went through three-day oc training, and also spent half of the day in Sai Kung, enjoying kayaking with our friends.  The water was pretty warm there, we felt like soaking in a onsen while in the ocean, but it was great to soak in water in this very hot weather.   Some recent news said that there was a shark in Sai Kung district, so we paid extra attention to any strange shadow on the water surface.  Besides that, everything was excellent.  I feel life is great, and I am thankful to have a good spirit and body to enjoy the world. 

Chinese cold dish---Cold Spinach


Ingredients A:
1 pack.............Spinach
Chopped Walnuts (cooked)






Ingredients B:
2 tbsps...........Oyster Sauce
1 1/2 tbsps.....Sesame Oil
1 tbsp.............White Sugar
1 tbsp.............Black Vinegar




Methods:


1. Remove the root of the spinach, but keep the whole body like the picture below.  Wash the spinach.
2.  Boil a pot of hot water, then cook the spinach for about 30 minutes, then soak it with cold water to stop the cooking process.
3. Squeeze the excess water in the spinach gently, then cut it into two pieces: stems and leaves.  Chill the spinach in the fridge. 
4. Before serving, take out the spinach.  Mix the ingredients B together and then pour on top of the spinach. Finally, sprinkle the chopped walnuts on the dish.

In one of the hot afternoon

Pepper is fond of human food so much.  Every time I am just about to eat something, he jumps on my lap or dining table to beg for his portion.   That makes it very difficult to enjoy my own.   

(In one of the hot afternoons)

I saw him taking a nap in peace.  Mmm, it's a good chance for me to enjoy the snack I bought yesterday.  

I sneaked open the bag, which made a little noise, I was so afraid that would wake him up, so I went to check him again.  Good, he was still closing his eyes.   

But somehow when I turned back to my bag of snacks, I saw Pepper, plus Sesame were already standing right beside my chair.  How did they do that so quickly?

I was caught, so I needed to hand in my......Camera, HAHAHA!

I found they are very sensitive to camera.  Almost every time I was ready to shoot them, they would run away.  That's why I use camera to save my food.

Sesame couldn't stand the lens anymore, so he ran immediately.  However, Pepper was totally attracted by my bait, staying at the spot and letting me take photos.

  

Soon, he realized that my bait was too high that he couldn't reach forever, so he started jumping.

JUMP! JUMP! JUMP!  I'll GET YOU!

"Meow, meow" Jump, Jump!!  "Meow, meow" Jump, Jump!! (for a whole minute)

Pepper decided he wouldn't get it, then he walked away.

But I was having great fun, so I turned around, asked Sesame who sat beside me to play with me.

It is his response," Do you think I will ever play this kind of stupid game with you as my brother does?"

I: "I thought about it, but ar......."

The dining table is one of Sesame's favorite spots at home.  He usually spends at least 4 to 5 hours sleeping there everyday.

Sometimes, he will turn his body around and around, or swallow something, telling me that he is having a good dream.  In the dream, he is be able to fly or dive, but mostly run around among bushes.  If he feels hungry, he can even catch some little birds to stuff his stomach.

Mmm, it seems like he has more various food choices in his dreams than in reality! 

But, sometimes he will struggle, shaking his legs and taking a few deep breaths.  It often catches my attention the other side of the table.  

I guess, he must be dreaming of me now.  Hahahaha!

(Thanks for reading the funny cat diary)

Leftover turnover--Bread Pudding

There usually are one or two pieces of bread or some crusts being left in the fridge over a week.  So, I regularly made this bread pudding as a dessert and also to clean up the leftover.

A close friend of us living near by likes this dessert very much.  He is French, likes to have something sweet for breakfast in the morning.  Every time when I made him this pudding, he will eat half of it when it’s still fresh and warm, then he will keep it to the fridge for the next morning, eats it when it’s cold.  He told me both ways bring different textures and tastes to him.  He says the combination of the pudding is just perfect, which makes me very happy.

Maybe I have not much patience, I just can’t wait for the pudding to cool before finishing it, or I actually don’t like cold pudding, so I’ve never tried when it’s cold.  But I can tell you the warm and soft bit of the bread pudding is so much like a milky sponge cake, with some chocolate chips and cranberries that give me the extra flavour, I feel like I am eating the most delightful dessert every time.

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Leftover turnover--- Bread Pudding

Ingredients A: (for one person)

1-2 pcs ………. Bread or bread crusts

A handful ….... Cranberries

A handful …… Baking Chocolate Chips 

(Please deduct the brown sugar if you prefer a lot amount of the chocolate chips)

Ingredients B:

2 ………………… Eggs

1/3 cup ………...... Cream (just needs to cover the pudding.  You may want to use full milk, but cream usually tastes richer)

¾ tsp ………….… Vanilla Extract

1 ½ tsps ………..... Brown Sugar

1/2 tsp …………... Ground Cinnamon

1/8 tsp …………... Salt

 Methods:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 170C.

2. Whisk the ingredients B in a baking bowl until it is even; add bread.

3. Add the chocolate chips and cranberries, and then mix the bread with them carefully.  Make sure the chocolates and berries don’t sink to the bottom, so that you will have them in every bite.

4. Seal the baking bowl with foil on top.  Set the bowl in a baking tray, and fill the tray with some water.

5. Put the baking tray into the pre-heated oven for 35 minutes.  If the water in the tray is dried out during the baking process, please gently refill it to keep the temperature even.

6. Take the pudding out and remove the foil.  Sprinkle a spoonful of brown sugar on top of the pudding, then put it back in to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes.  Serve hot or cold.

Traditional---Water chestnut Cake

Three days before Chinese New Year!  I believe many mothers are already planning to make their own new year’s cake for this festival.

Making new year’s cake is so much fun, especially when you make with a bunch of people, measure things together and laugh together, but Mom said, “New year’s cakes represent the good fortune of the coming year, so you have to make them with respect and high concentration.”  Mom means you have to make sure you will make the best cake to collect the best luck.  So that Mom insists to make her cakes for the family with her secret recipes every year.

Turnip cake and brown sugar cake are the most popular and traditional new year’s cake that my Mom is going to make and I have no chance to step in.  But the picture above is another new year’s cake called water chestnut cake, with less tradition but still representative of the festival, and is the only cake my Mom would “approve” me to help with.

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Water chestnut Cake

Ingredients:

250g …….. Water Chestnut cake (it’s easily found in Chinese supermarket)

300g ….......Rock Sugar

1500ml ….. Water

10 …….…. Water Chest Nuts

Processing:

1. Peel the skin of the water chestnuts with a sharp knife and finely chop them into small pieces.  Set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, mix half of the water with the water chestnut powder; set another water with rock sugar in a pot over high heat until the rock sugar is melted.

3. Turn down the heat to medium.  Add the water chestnut powder mixture into the pot in small quantities while stirring the liquid.  Then you will see the liquid become very sticky and translucent paste.  Turn off the heat.


4. Prepare a big bowl.  Pour all the sticky paste into the bowl and put it into a steamer.  Steam for about 25 minutes over high heat.

5. Remove from heat.  Slice the cake after it totally cools and sets.


 Eating methods: 

(1) Dip the sliced cake into egg wash, then fry it until it turns golden brown.

(2) Reheat it with a microwave directly.

I prefer method 1.  It requires a bit more work but rewards a far different taste.  Wish you a happy New Year and all the best for the coming rabbit year.

Gingerbread Man

A few weeks ago, we moved to our favorite place –Lamma Island - the ever natural, strong Western-Chinese mixed cultural, lively and peaceful Island in H.K.

We feel great to have achieved one of our dreams.  Even though the new apartment isn’t facing the ocean like everyone wishes, it’s still bright and sunny, snug and cozy.

Christmas is slipping in, G. Bear and I started to look for different festival food for Christmas like turkey, hams, eggnog… the schedule is packed and we’ve been very busy, but we’re also excited and happy to prepare everything for the wonderful Christmas.

We’re starting to see more and more people carry their real Christmas tree home from the ferry pier which reminds us it’s about time to buy one for ourselves.  However, real Christmas trees aren’t popular here and they’re also not easy or cheap to buy or deliver.  G. Bear finally suggested buy a plastic tree.

This tree is amazing.  It contains natural pine tree-green color, emulated needles, tall and rich, with many real pinecones on its branches, it looks so alive.  The shop said it is custom and unique in H.K.  Unique! Wow!

To bring better X’mas spirit to G. Bear, I sprayed all windows with snow deer, bells, and sleighs with a snow spray.  At the end, I sprayed a thick layer of snow on the bottom of the window to make snowy ground.  That works very well and G. Bear was very impressed.

Another way to enjoy Christmas with joy is sharing.  Last week, I invited some friends to my new place, made some gingerbread men together to celebrate X’mas.  We made different shapes of the bread with cookie cutters and drew many interesting faces on our bread.  It was so much fun.  I know they will share these delicious gingerbread men with their family and best friends, so as to share the joy of this festival.

All the smiles and happy faces of G. Bear and my friends became a first, great and warm X’mas to me this year.

Wish you also have a very merry Christmas.

(Guess who is hiding under the tree?)





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Gingerbread man  (about 24’s)

Ingredients A:

300g……..Plain Flour

10g………Baking Powder

30g………Brown Sugar

5g………Ground Nutmeg

10g……..Ground Cinnamon

Ingredients B: 

 *90g…………..Ginger Honey

20ml…………..Cold Fresh Milk

1……………….Egg

Ingredients C:

200g…………Icing Sugar

30g…………..Fresh Egg White

Process:

1.     Pre-heat the oven to 360C.

2.     Mix ingredients A and B in a bowl separately, then pour B into A and form it into dough.

3.     Wrap the slimy dough with a plastic wrap and chill it for an hour at least.

4.     Take the dough out of the freezer and remove the wrap.

5.     Roll out the dough into a 5mm thick sheet, and cut out different shape of dough with cookie cutter.

6.     Lay the dough pieces on a baking tray and brush on a thin layer of cold milk.

7.     Put the tray into the pre-heated oven for about 8-10 minutes or until the bread turns golden brown.  Take them out and let them cool thoroughly on a cooling rack.

8.     Whisk ingredients C together until it becomes a glue-like texture for the icing decoration.

* Ginger Honey:  Add 200g each of sugar and fresh finely chopped ginger in a saucepot, bring it to a boil over medium-low heat until the sugar has melted, then turn the heat to low and keep boil it until the liquid reduced in half and becomes thick.  Remove from the heat and let the liquid cool thoroughly.  Store the honey in an air-tight container overnight.