It has been a hectic week. Sometimes, it makes me think why some people like to make other people’s life difficult. For me, I always try my best to avoid things that will affect me emotionally and mentally. As much as I want to avoid, I have learnt that we just have to go through this sort of situation in any phase of our lives. Arghhhh! Yes, but true. I have to move on, throw all the unhappy thoughts behind me.
Actually, this week has been a mixed bag of great and bad times. A few things that made me really excited. Well, I am probably a bit behind in the cinema scene. I just watched (better late than never) Avatar in 3D and thought it was great! Though the story line is simple but the special effect is just amazingly pretty, I have never seen anything like this before! Anyway, that was part of the highlights of the week.
Another thing was that I finally received a copy of The French Paper. The French Paper is an English newspaper that is sold in France to English speakers living, moving to or visiting France. For those that are following me on my Facebook, you probably know what I am talking about. Anyway, I am extremely lucky to be given a great opportunity to write an article about my experience over the years about France – French food, French people, and its culture; from my point of view. Besides, I have also been asked to feature 2 Asian recipes with French influence. I was ecstatic when Rachel from The French Paper approached me about writing up an article. As a perfectionist, I wanted to make sure that I put my 100% effort and the result is truly fulfilling and enriching. So, here’s the article. If you have got a few minutes to spare, please have a read. Let me know what you think! 
Anyway, I guess, apart from those 2 existing things that I just told you guys, another thing is about cookies. Of course, how can I miss out not sharing good stuff like this. Just a few weeks ago, I tried one of the best cookies in the world! Not that there’s anything too special about these cookies, they are the normal sort of cookies. However, the combination of ingredients used in cookies are amazingly yummy!! They are my favourite ingredients in baking, so to speak. Three ingredients that may not sound very outstanding but the mix is just heavenly! I mean, the crunchiness and nuttiness of macadamia, slightly sweet and sour taste of cranberry; then, topped with the creaminess, milkiness and sweetness of the white chocolate!!! By just imaging this, don’t you feel like you want to reach for them?
Recipe: Cranberry, White Chocolate & Macadamia Cookies
Ingredients:
Butter, 125g
Light brown fine sugar, 100g
Caster sugar, 100g
Egg, 1
Vanilla extract, 1 tsp
Self raising flour, 225g
Cranberry, 60-70g
White chocolate, 80g
Macadamia nuts (break into chunky pieces or halves), 80g
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a large baking tray with baking parchment.
2. Cream the butter and sugar with an electric whisk. Then add in vanilla extract and continue to beat until combined.
3. Add in egg. Then, fold in flour until the mixture forms a sort dough. Add in cranberry, white chocolate, and macadamia nuts. Mix well.
4. Dot heaped spoonfuls of the mixture over the lined baking parchment, leaving plenty of space in between them as they will spread out while baking.
5. Bake for about 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are just turning golden brown.
6. Leave the cookies on the baking sheets to harden for a couple of minutes, then carefully lift up the baking parchment and transfer them to a wire cooling rack.
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March 12th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Awesome cookies……looks so tempting! I wish I have some now to go with a cup of tea! I have watched Avatar in 3D, too….amazing effects!
March 13th, 2010 at 12:02 am
[...] sozexze wrote a very interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerpt:Besides, I have also been asked to feature 2 Asian recipes with French influence. I was ecstatic when Rachel from The French Paper approached me about writing up an article. As a perfectionist, I wanted to make sure that I put my 100% … [...]
March 13th, 2010 at 12:22 am
this is my fave flavor of cookie from Mrs. Fields.I hope I can do this!
March 13th, 2010 at 2:24 am
How I wish I could have those cookies with a glass of milk right now.
March 13th, 2010 at 2:54 am
The picture says it all! Congratulations ! I’ll have a look at the articles!
March 13th, 2010 at 4:03 am
Just perfect. I have some white chocolates since December. These cookies would be great with it. Congratulations on your feature. It was great knowing you better through that article.
March 13th, 2010 at 5:05 am
I off to an early hair appointment…….would have loved a couple with my early espresso!!
March 13th, 2010 at 5:58 am
Lovely cookies! Congrats on the articles!
March 13th, 2010 at 10:29 am
You are not late. I have not even watched Avatar! :O
Love reading that article too…how I wish I had those cookies in front of me while reading the article about you
March 13th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Hope the relationship with that person will get better and congratulations on the article my dear!! That is one beatiful looking cookies. I am going to make this but can't find any white chocolate in my pantry. So it got to wait until I go and buy some.
March 13th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
You've done the right thing by avoiding this person. Everything is impermanent. It will be over soon. Hope your highlight and featuring will cheer you up and wipe away those unhappy moments! Love your cookies very very much because you have used all my favourite ingredients. Any possibilites for me to reach these cookies?
March 13th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Hi Leemei,
Your cookies look so tempting.
Congratulations on the article featured in The French Paper.
March 13th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by Katherine_010: They are my favourite ingredients in baking, so to speak. Three ingredients that may not sound very outstand… http://tinyurl.com/ylzdkhp...
March 13th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
I love your pictures! We are trying your recipe tonight! As an avid cranberry lover and the sole owner of a busy Organic Herb Shop here in Florida I can say that our organic cranberry powder is one of our top 20 sellers in our store and online.
Steve
http://www.FloridaHerbHouse.com
http://www.SharpWebLabs.com
March 14th, 2010 at 2:39 am
LeeMei,
Your featured article @ The French Paper allows me to get to know you a little better
The recipes are also delicious. The pot de creme reminds me of steamed sarikaya.
I like the sauce mixture for the cod in parchment paper. Easy to do as well!
Cheers
March 14th, 2010 at 6:20 am
don’t worried ,as you said life goes on…go to watch more soap opera or kdrama,then forget all the unhappy things that has happened!! see ? life not bad after all,right? btw,congratulation !! hope more good news to come!! what a beautiful cookies you baked!
March 14th, 2010 at 6:37 am
Congrats : ).
March 14th, 2010 at 8:39 am
Great to see you found time to bake such lovely cookies.
March 14th, 2010 at 9:54 am
Leemei, congrats on the fascinating article. What luck to meet like that. You should write a book on your culinary adventures.
March 14th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Thanks!
March 14th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Thanks Syrie!! I will seriously considering about writing a book on my culinary adventures.. hehehe
I have lots to tell but not enough time to write..
March 14th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
A cup of tea with the cookies would be awesome! Yeah, the effects are just amazing on Avatar 3D!
March 14th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
It's really easy. Give it a go!
March 14th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
hehehe…
March 14th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Thanks!!
March 14th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
I am pretty sure it will go well with the espresso even though I am not a coffee drinker but I love the smell of coffee.
March 14th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Thanks Ju!
March 14th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
You should watch Avatar 3D, it's really good.
Glad that you love the article. 
March 14th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Gert,
The cookies are really easy to make.
Hope so. But, that's not really important in my life…. most important things are always family and friends..
March 14th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Thing is.. how long I can avoid.. I hate it. Anyway, it's not going affect me for a long time. We meet all sorts of people in our lives anyway.
Yeah, the article definitely cheer me up!! I wish I could email you some of these cookies … hehe
March 14th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Thanks Christine!
March 14th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
That's great that you like the article and that it has allowed you to know me a little better..
Oh …. steamed serikaya is something that I really love…
Do try out the recipes and let me know what you think!
March 14th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Yes, totally agree with you. I have watched kdrama and I think it takes too much of my time. Guess I will use that time in the kitchen instead… heheheh
I also hope I will have more good news to share.
March 14th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Thanks..
March 15th, 2010 at 3:29 am
Fascinating article… a good read… applause….
Yummy cookies… will add to my to-do list .. may be during this Easter school holidays…
March 15th, 2010 at 4:21 am
Congrats on the article! I just saw Avatar in 3D too and was similarly blown away. I do understand the criticism about the predictable plot but if you just think of it as a fun movie, it’s quite satisfying. Your cookies sound yummy with lovely photos as usual.
March 15th, 2010 at 8:22 am
ummm these remind me of the cookies i made a while back – i did not use cranberries and used salted macademia nuts and they were good. but i can imagine a totally new flavor level with the cranberries. looks fantastic!
March 15th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Now this is what I call a cookie snack attack. Yummy!
March 15th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Great Article Mei!
March 15th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Thanks for you compliment, Xiaolu.
Yeah, Avatar in 3D is really an experience for me !!
March 15th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Thanks!
Let me know if you like the cookies once you baked.
March 15th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Thanks.. I adore cranberries and I think it's a great ingredient in baking..
March 15th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
ahhaah.. wish I can offer you some!
March 15th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Thanks Kristin!
March 15th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
I can never resist chocolate cookies esp with white chocolate! Congrats on the article!
March 15th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
heheh, even though I don't call myself a chocolate fan, I do surrender to some chocolate desserts/sweets.
March 16th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
these must be the prettiest cookies I have seen in a while. The cranberries give it such a beautiful red colour here and there =)
March 16th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
white choc and macadamias are such a great combination. Yes, I do wish I could grab the cookie out of the screen and enjoy. Congratulations on the article
March 16th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
These look amazing. You've just reminded me how long it's been since I've had macadamias!
p.s. Congrats on the article. I really like the look of those pandan creme pots!
March 22nd, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Thanks you..
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Thanks Su-yin! I am happy with the article too.
I love macadamia nuts …. but it's difficult to find those with flavours (such as wasabi and abalone) in the UK!
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Thanks!
ahhaha… yeah, wish I could send you some via email.
April 19th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Try a shaving of orange zest in there as well!
They are perfection.
April 21st, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Cool!