Since it's the spirit of Chinese New Year everywhere, I decided to try my hands out in making bee hive cookies. I used to help my mom when I was little in the kitchen preparing this but then, I was too small to appreciate the skills and teachings from her. All I remembered was the heat from the fire and the tedious standing for hours doing this chore. Though I did enjoyed the part of munching the cookies after taking it out from the chinese wok.
Group #1 = Eggs + Sugar + Coconut Milk
Group #2 = Group #1 + Rice Flour + Salt + All Purpose Flour
Once all is mixed together, next is the heat up the oil in the frying pan or some prefer to use the chinese wok. I put the mould into the oil mainly to test the heat but also the ensure that the mould is hot enough before I put into the batter.
The trick in dipping the mould into the batter is to ensure it doesn't cover the top of the mould if not it would be hard to remove it. Once in the oil, slowly shake it out from the mould without changing the shape. It took me at least 10 tries before I got it right on the heat of the fire. After that, it's close to perfection. I find that it's easier and faster if there is two person at work instead of one.
Close to perfection
Upclose & personal
I made a total 4 tins and it only cost me no more than RM10 (USD2.40). I might just have another round of it before the new year begins so that I could have some to give out to family members.