funny looking dumplings and tarts..

most of the time i can make anything i want and usually it comes out pretty good- sometimes amazing. other times its fail. failing in terms of the way it looks, it usually tastes like what its supposed to.  so i'm not in fear of how the food is going to taste these days, its the appearance of these things i keep picking to try. of course they have been some extremely difficult things. for example: **

1) Dim Sum- Sweet Egg Tartlets: Dan Tat as you call them in chinese. 

there is a lot of work that goes into the little things you enjoy the most. i always get these when i go to Dim Sum, my grandfather would get them and sometimes during the week after school he would have some and give one to me if i was a good girl. and so they are associated with good memories for me. trying to make these delicious little tarts was sort of paying homage to my grandfather's sweet tooth. it was harder than i thought it would be. the dough itself didn't taste bad, needed more butter for the flaky layer it should have. and the egg custard was just sweet enough but needed to be silkier. but then again my oven is not as great as i would like it. they turned out okay a tad bit burnt on top, but lucky for me my sister loves it like that. the next time i attempt these little treats, i'll have more knowledge from this first try.

2) Dumplings: Pork and Chive dumplings.

As seen on tv... after watching a throw down with bobby flay on pork and chive dumplings, my sister and i decided we were skilled enough to try to make dumplings from scratch. i mean of course after our almost success of dan tats- why not? o boy, the dough was just a nightmare to make thin. i decided to roll the dough out as a thin sheet and proceeded to cut them round with a cookie cutter. why i did not think to use my kitchen aid pasta roller i have no clue. but the filling tasted a bit bland the first few, so we upped the flavors and it came out okay. the dough cooked was fluffy and chewy instead of thin and smooth. and did i mention they were ugly? non looked a like, but despite the way they looked they tasted good. my sister and i were laughing the whole time, so i think overall good recipe for sister bonding. 

so the lesson to be learned from this blog entry is that no matter how well you cook there will be things that you will not make right the first time. but you will remember the things you did wrong and the many laughs you had while eating the disfigured dumplings. its all about the pleasures of how the food makes you feel. either comforting, filling or just fun moments, food will add something to your life that all the money in the world cannot and that is happiness. during these tough times all around the world i think its best to try to enjoy every morsel you have and every meal you have with family and friends. meals together builds bonds that will never be lost as the flavors and smells will stay with you no matter where your life leads you. 

eat extraordinary everyday! 

**sorry for the picture quality, camera phone.