Well… I’m Off

Hi guys. So I do not have much time to write a lot in this post, though it includes an awful lot (contradictory, aren’t I?) 😛

But don’t blame me – it is SO my brother’s fault – he got me involved in a very heated Scrabble battle.

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In the tiebreaker we TIED – 307 to 307, we are what champions aim to be 😉

But anyway, you are probably wondering about the title. I do this a lot to you.

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“Hi guys, so I have exams so I won’t be posting”

“Hi guys, so I had writers block”

“Hi guys, so I can’t believe I haven’t posted for so long”

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One would think I couldn’t be bothered blogging! But no, that is not the case. It is just, I am a busy teen. I have things to do. Well I did. And just when you think after finishing high school forever, I will be blogging incessantly, another thing comes up.

Holidays. I am trying to be solemn and sorry I won’t be blogging but I am too excited so let me rephrase that.

HOLIDAYS! 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀

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That’s right, tomorrow, I leave on a 16 hour flight to reach Dallas, and from there, I will be travelling around the US!
That’s right my US blogging buds, I am coming to your home country. For 3 whole weeks.

Beware. Actually. You have had a British Invasion. Now get ready for an invasion of the Choc Chip variety.

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I intend to photograph everything that moves, doesn’t move and looks remotely like matter. And share it all with you 😀

So you find me typing rapidly in the midst of last minute packing, trying to find clothes that do not make me look fat and trying to find my travel kit. My room is a mess. If you mothers saw it, you would ground me.
And then you would ground my mother for not grounding me 😛

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Despite going on holiday, I am not leaving you hanging! NOPE, if all goes to plan, then there will be posts (once a week) automatically being published for your pleasure, acting almost as a countdown till Christmas, for which I am here to share it with you all ❤

So let me tie up a few matters of business now, share a recipe with you, then bid you adieu for 3 weeks my darlings – don’t miss me too much (and I promise food porn beyond amazement when I come home, just for you all!) 🙂

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Firstly: I would like to announce the very lucky winners of my Menulog Giveaway 😀

DRUM ROLL PLEASE! My first random winner is…………………..

Benjamin Travia!

And my second random winner is……………….

Amy Zhong from Milkteaxx

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CONGRATS my friends, you will be emailed (very soon) some codes for some fabulous takeaway, just begging to be used for Italian and Thai food 😀

Simply enter them in at checking out and you are good to go my lovelies!

Conditions: Valid until 26/12/2013. Credit card and delivery only. 1 use per household. 🙂

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Secondly, considering I am going to be in the US quite shortly, I would like to wish all my US friends a big Happy Thanksgiving! I have seen you blogging all sorts of delicious dishes as part of this festival, and though I only know you must be gratuitous (extra), I hope you had a wonderful festive day!!!
In pretending to get all in on the action, I would like to share a special infograph with you all so you can even save your thanksgiving leftovers in the best way possible – I hope you find it useful! 😀

http://www.partselect.com/JustForFun/Dont-Spoil-Thanksgiving-Infographic.aspx

And to any one like me, who has no idea about Thanksgiving, don’t worry! Looking through the infograph, it has brilliant tips for everyone, even if you do not eat these foods all on one specific day 🙂

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I would never leave you without a recipe. A to-die-for, soft, crumby, sweet recipe. Which doesn’t even include chocolate weirdly enough 😉

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The jam in this cookies suits the shortbread crumbliness so well, and it melts in your mouth (as it should with all that butter inside it :P)

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I wish I could bake you guys a massive batch of these jam drops (for each of you) as a proper goodbye but c’est la vie non?

Jam Drops 
Adapted from: Exclusively Food

Ingredients: 

  • 130g butter, softened to room temperature
  • 3/4 cup caster sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
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  • 1 large egg
  • 24g cornflour
  • 36g Self Raising Flour (SRF)
  • 150g plain flour
  • 1 jar jam (choose your own flavour!)

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 150 degrees C
  2. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper
  3. Use an electric mixed to beat butter, sugar and vanilla till pale and creamy
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  4. Add in egg and beat till combined
  5. Sift in the flours together and spoon till the stir the ingredients till they are mixed – the dough should be very soft
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  6. IMG_1926Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to 1 hour (especially on hot days)
  7. Roll heaped teaspoons of dough and place onto the baking trays – make a deep indentation using the handles of a rolling pin, coated in flour
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  8. Fill each indentation with jam, ensuring it does not overfill (otherwise it will leak out of the cavity during baking)
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  9. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cookies are pale golden
  10. Cool on trays on a wire rack for 10 minutes before allowing to cool to room temperature on the wire racks
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  11. Store cooled biscuits in an airtight container (funny right, cause after all, they won’t make it there!)

Notes:

  • My cookies spread (as you can see) quite a bit and that was total unexpected – the given time of refrigerating 20 minutes was definitely not enough – furthermore, if you want no spread (as it makes the jam look puny in the middle), I would definitely not add in any SRF, instead just using plain flour in its stead

I guess it is Ciao for now sweeties, I hope you enjoy my Christmas posts coming up and I shall miss you for the coming three weeks!

All the best!

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66 Comments

  2. Choc Chip Uru says:

    Promenade Claire – Happy, happy, happy holidays my friend! Holidays are simply the best, yes better than food!! Wishing you a very happy Christmas and New Year….. and oh my those jam drops look divine! Claire

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  4. Choc Chip Uru says:

    Nami (Just One Cookbook): It’s so cool we’re in the same country! And your cookies look so delicious – perfect with a cup of chai. 🙂

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  6. Choc Chip Uru says:

    Edible Celebrations (@lavesta): You are only young once Uru, you go for it!!! I can’t believe you are in the US as I write this comment, so very cool. I do hope you are tucked inside for that snow in Dallas. Very unusual for this time of year. where are you going? Will you be near Pennsylvania? Oh I wish I knew you were coming!!!

    Can’t wait to hear of your adventures. Thanks for leaving us with these yummy looking cookies too, Have FUN!

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  10. Choc Chip Uru says:

    Lisa: Thanks so much for your sweet words regarding Lis’s passing. Sorry for the long delay responding. That said, I adore jam drops/thumbprints and yours look sensational 🙂 Enjoy your trip!

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  17. Choc Chip Uru says:

    Geni-Sweet and Crumby: These look delectable! Have a wonderful trip! If you are coming to LA, you could meet with me and Alice above of Nom Nom Cat! 🙂

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  18. Choc Chip Uru says:

    navane64: These cookies are fabulous, as usual with the rest of the desserts/sweets you have been sharing. Have a great time in Dallas and yes, looking forward to the scheduled sharings.

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  19. Choc Chip Uru says:

    Ruby @ The Ruby Red Apron: You’re coming here or you’re already here?! That’s so cool. Have so much fun and yes.. do take lots of pictures! 😀
    These jam drop cookies look yummy!

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  25. Choc Chip Uru says:

    Balvinder: Guru Uru, I am not sure what happened either I accidentally deleted or haven’t received last two of your posts. I thought you have taken a long break this time but didn’t realize its me who is not visiting your blog. sorry about that. Enjoy your vacation to Dallas. The cookies recipe you have posted is delicious!

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  31. Choc Chip Uru says:

    Kim @ Treats & Trinkets: Have so much fun! If you happen to have a layover in Newark, let me know and I will find you like a weirdo stalker. 😛

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  32. Choc Chip Uru says:

    Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes: hope you packed some of these cookies for that long trip! They sound like our cornstarch alfajores, so you should try them with dulce de leche. Enjoy your vacations Uru! Have fun girl!

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  38. Choc Chip Uru says:

    Three Well Beings: Wonderful cookies. I’m looking forward to giving the recipe a try! And I’m thrilled you’ll be touring the United States. I can’t wait to find out what you find interesting. 🙂 Enjoy it all. ox

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  41. Choc Chip Uru says:

    healthyyou72: First, I love your jam drop cookies. My Aunt used to make thumbprint cookies every year, love them. Oh my gosh, have a beautiful trip to America!!! Will you be in North Carolina at all? Safe travels my friend, Hugs, Terra

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  54. Choc Chip Uru says:

    apuginthekitchen: What fun, are you coming to NYC? I’ll look out for you, LOL! Delicious cookies, love thumbprints or jam drops. Have a great time in the USA, bring your warm coat!!

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  56. Choc Chip Uru says:

    John@Kitchen Riffs: What a fun trip! And Dallas is a good start – I lived there in the 80s and enjoyed it immensely. It’ll be fun to see where you visit, and of course all the photos you’ll take. Have a great trip, and thanks for leaving us with this recipe so we won’t starve. 😉

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  59. Choc Chip Uru says:

    Lail (With A Spin): Welcome to Dallas, Uru. I would have loved to meet you here in Dallas, in person, but we’re off to see my family in the Northwest.

    I love crumbly, jam drop cookies. Would love to munch on some.

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  61. Choc Chip Uru says:

    Kathleen Richardson: You’re coming our way? Welcome to the USA! I’d invite you to Corning, but tomorrow I’m leaving for the Washington DC-Baltimore Md area and I’ll be away for three weeks, too. If you happen to make it to DC, There’s a little shop on Connecticut Avenue that you’d absolutely love… http://www.chocolatedc.com/info.html. Hmmm, if I make the Jam Drops, I’ll fill them with Bam’s jam.

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  65. Choc Chip Uru says:

    Alice @ Nom Nom Cat : 1) I LOVE jammie dodgers, so I’ll have to make some of these before the Doctor Who Christmas Special.

    2) Where in the US are you touring? Does it by chance include… Los Angeles? 😉

    3) Happy Thanksgiving even though you Aussies don’t celebrate it!

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