Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Polvorones




Chinese New Year (CNY) is around the corner. Almost all the blog posts on my reading list are related to CNY. CNY goodies and recipes, restaurants reviews on CNY menus etc. With all these delicious posts, how could I not feel the CNY festive mood?

I am not so into baking but wife has been staying up lately to bake cookies and treats to celebrate and usher in the Year of the Snake. I helped out by snapping pictures, sampling the cookies and providing my feedback and I am enjoying this role switching in the kitchen.

There are quite a few items on her CNY baking list and Polvorones are among those that I like. Polvorones are traditional Spanish cookies made of flour, ground almonds, sugar and fat. They are soft in texture and melt in the mouth. Try this recipe for a change if you still have time and energy after baking all the traditional treats.


Polvorones
Adapted from Okashi Sweet Treats made with Love by Keiko Ishida

Ingredients (Makes about 16 Polvorones)

 110g Pastry Flour (sifted)
100g Unsalted Butter
40g Icing Sugar
50g Ground Almond

 Directions

 Preheat oven at 150C. Bake sifted flour for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally while baking, then remove from oven and leave to cool. Keep oven heated.

 Beat butter and icing sugar together until soft. Add ground almonds and mix well. Add flour to the batter and mix with spatula until a smooth dough forms.

 Roll dough out to a thickness of 10mm. Cut out shapes using your preferred pastry cookie cutter and place them on a baking sheet.

 Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat and cool polvorones on a wire rack.

 To serve, dust polvorones with some icing sugar. Store in airtight container to keep them crisp.










I am submitting this post to Chinese New Year Delights 2013 hosted by Sonia aka Nasi Lemak Lover.
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58 comments:

  1. suituapuiJanuary 22, 2013 at 7:36 PM

    Almond cookies? They certainly look good. You have my mailing address? LOL!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chef and SommelierJanuary 22, 2013 at 11:38 PM

      Hi Arthur! I really do not mind sharing and sending some over to you but am worried that the soft cookies would not survive the trip and become crumbs when they reach you! :)

      In fact, I was very grateful to be at the receiving end last Christmas when another kind fellow blogger from UK sent a bottle of Xmas Chili over to my mailbox.

      Delete
    2. suituapuiJanuary 23, 2013 at 6:09 AM

      I guess that's the problem with cookies. Even those people gave me, self-carried from overseas - often many were cracked. A bottle by mail? Thought they do not allow liquids? I do get some too sometimes even though I don't drink - will use for cooking. Hehehehehe!!!!

      Delete
  2. MelJanuary 22, 2013 at 7:37 PM

    Hi Alvin
    I have this cookbook but yet to make this polvorones. Your wife made this beautifully as I like this flower shape. When your wife baked, so your are the guinea pig, ar? But I am assure all that bakes are all yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak LoverJanuary 22, 2013 at 8:41 PM

    I have this book but never notice this cookie, just checked, the name in the book shown almond snow balls right? any cookies with almond, i have no problem with it, sure good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chef and SommelierJanuary 22, 2013 at 11:43 PM

      Hi Sonia! Assuming we are having the same print version - Almond snow balls is on page 142. The polvorones recipe that was featured here is on page 88. But hey, the snow balls look yummy too... maybe should ask wife to bake that too! :)

      Delete
  4. Ana RegaladoJanuary 22, 2013 at 9:45 PM

    Alvin , your wife's polvorones look pretty yummy ! She sure knows how to bake cookies ;D I've borrowed that book last time but I guess I overlooked this recipe . Will steal this recipe later , okay ?!

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownJanuary 22, 2013 at 10:00 PM

    wow! amazing photos! always enjoy your posts...and happy CNY!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chef and SommelierJanuary 22, 2013 at 11:50 PM

      Thanks Anna! How's the Swiss wine that you bought from Geneva? Very interested to learn more about the wine from this region.

      Delete
  6. ann lowJanuary 22, 2013 at 10:17 PM

    I love this polvorones that I tried last year. In fact I love all the recipes from Okashi.

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    Replies
    1. Chef and SommelierJanuary 22, 2013 at 11:53 PM

      Yes Ann! I agree... but I need to count and watch what I (Wife) put into my mouth during this festive period... :)

      Delete
  7. Honey Bee SweetsJanuary 22, 2013 at 10:53 PM

    Ohh Spanish almond cookies...sounds good to me! Anything that's buttery and melts in the mouth is just too inviting, lol! Will definitely give this a go next time since I've already baked my almond cookies today. :P see...I'm very hardworking, wasn't eating "snake", lol!

    ReplyDelete
  8. ZoeJanuary 23, 2013 at 4:42 AM

    Hi Alvin,

    I remember seeing this recipe in this book. Although these cookies are not the traditional sort of CNY goodies, they are sure yummy, buttery and modern to eat for all kind of occasions. No worries about the fat and calories... just feed them to your kids. LOL!

    Btw, to answer your question... The bread maker that I'm using is a Breville which I can customise the programs according to the schedule that I want. I'm guessing it is an old model and might not be available in the market now. The latest one is Custom Loaf Pro. If you do not need to customise any bread baking program, any basic bread maker should do the job well.

    Zoe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chef and SommelierJanuary 23, 2013 at 6:40 PM

      Haha Zoe.. I'm not worried about the kids... I'm more worried about my waistline!

      Thanks for the info... keen to get a bread maker... will do more research.

      Delete
  9. Erika Beth, the Messy ChefJanuary 23, 2013 at 4:52 AM

    Ooo! These look soft and yummy. (And they remind me of the Girl Scout short bread cookies. But of course these are 100% better!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chef and SommelierJanuary 23, 2013 at 6:41 PM

      Hi Erika! Short bread are harder... I think. :)

      How's your donut party?

      Delete
  10. Lisa HoJanuary 23, 2013 at 9:40 AM

    looks yummy, like butter cookies :D
    I have yet to start my CNY baking... *sigh* too hot to bake in summer :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chef and SommelierJanuary 23, 2013 at 6:42 PM

      Hi Lisa! I thought you have air condition in your beautiful kitchen? :)

      Delete
  11. BlackswanJanuary 23, 2013 at 10:21 AM

    These bakes are simply awesomes! Just like u, I'm feeling the CNY heat too! Just baked my first batch of Pineapple Tarts with Cheese. It's quite a unique secret recipe from a dear friend :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chef and SommelierJanuary 23, 2013 at 6:44 PM

      Hi Shirley! I was so happy when I first read you comment:

      "These bakes are simply awesome! - Just like u!"

      LOL!

      Can you share with me your "secret recipe"? :)

      Delete
    2. BlackswanJanuary 31, 2013 at 11:10 AM

      Wish I could share :< That's that u can only see my pineapple tarts pix in Facebook but not in my blog...

      Delete
  12. Mich Piece of CakeJanuary 23, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    Only 4 ingredients. Love this kind of simple cookie recipe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chef and SommelierJanuary 23, 2013 at 6:45 PM

      Hi Mich! Yes, looks simple... maybe I should try it out myself too.

      Delete
  13. Esther@thefussfreechefJanuary 23, 2013 at 2:02 PM

    Hmmmm dun think i have ever eaten these before..4 ingredients only, i can handle that heehe

    ReplyDelete
  14. AmeliaJanuary 23, 2013 at 3:18 PM

    Hi Alvin, this cookies look addictive and very pretty. You put this in front of me... I sure can stop eating. I drop by your place hand carry cos too fragile to send by courier. LOL

    I yet to start baking... still fooling around the computer thinking that CNY is next month, plenty of time. Now that I count the calender another 17 days to go.... LOL

    Have a nice week ahead,regards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chef and SommelierJanuary 23, 2013 at 6:47 PM

      Hi Amelia! You can or can't stop eating?! :) Come come... all are welcome!

      You have a great week ahead too!

      Delete
    2. AmeliaJanuary 25, 2013 at 5:15 PM

      LOL, type wrongly.... what I mean CAN'T stop eating. hahaha
      Best if you can include a cup of hot coffee for me. :)

      Delete
  15. PHJanuary 23, 2013 at 4:11 PM

    Such pretty cookies! Alvin, can I ask the missus some questions? Is it alright to use salted butter and can I dust them with icing sugar and then store them? The recipe looks easy so I would like to give it a try because I have never baked cookies before. LOL!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chef and SommelierJanuary 23, 2013 at 6:49 PM

      Hi PH! Yes, you can dust with icing sugar and keep them in air tight containers. Not so sure about the salted butter... but for sweet cookies, I supposed it should be unsalted...

      Any cookie gurus can help us out here?

      Delete
    2. PHJanuary 24, 2013 at 4:34 PM

      Thanks, Alvin! Baking to begin soon har! har!

      Delete
  16. huiJanuary 23, 2013 at 4:27 PM

    these cookies are so pretty ^^ and it's really interesting to read that this recipe requires baking the flour first before use! makes it kinda special ^^

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownJanuary 23, 2013 at 6:04 PM

    I always enjoy cny treats, can't have enough of them. It must be fun to be the one making them, too. These are just lovely polvorones, Alvin. We have a very similar Filipino treat called polvoron which are just cooked on the stove top.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chef and SommelierJanuary 23, 2013 at 6:52 PM

      Hi Adora! Could you kindly share with us your Filipino polvoron recipe?

      Delete
  18. lenaJanuary 24, 2013 at 12:04 AM

    actually now i hv very little energy left after baking one batch of successful cookies and another batch of failed ones. I'm very keen to try this too..especially with just 4 ingredients. will see..will see...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chef and SommelierJanuary 24, 2013 at 6:38 PM

      Hi Lena! It's really quite easy (based on what I witnessed...) :)

      Delete
  19. dextergJanuary 24, 2013 at 12:34 PM

    nice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chef and SommelierJanuary 24, 2013 at 6:39 PM

      Hey! Is that my dear ex-colleague Dexter?

      Delete
    2. dextergJanuary 25, 2013 at 7:44 AM

      Yes Alvin :). great food and nice pics.

      Delete
    3. Chef and SommelierJanuary 25, 2013 at 7:45 PM

      Hi Dexter! How's life back home?

      Connect with me through my blog's facebook...

      Delete
    4. dextergJanuary 30, 2013 at 10:10 AM

      I'm having a great time with my wife and kids but a little bit bored of doing nothing hehe. Now looking for something to do..:) , probably accept some short term programming jobs just to kill time hehe.
      I surely keep in touch. Did u upgrade to NEX 7 already?

      Delete
    5. Chef and SommelierJanuary 30, 2013 at 7:54 PM

      Nope... I am still very happy with my Nex-5. Photos posted in this blog are all taken using the Nex-5.

      Delete
  20. Nami | Just One CookbookJanuary 24, 2013 at 1:27 PM

    In a way, Chinese people are so busy between Christmas and CNY... :) For Japanese we don't really "bake" for the New Years (we have special food but that's about it). It's been fun to see what people are preparing for CNY. These Polvorones look perfectly baked. They look so good and won't stay too long in my house! You take great pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Somewhere in SingaporeJanuary 24, 2013 at 5:34 PM

    First time visit your blog, hop over from Sonia blog...

    The cookies looks good..

    ReplyDelete
  22. Baby SumoJanuary 24, 2013 at 10:43 PM

    The first thing I noticed also was the 4 ingredients for this cookie. I have everything, very tempted to make it! Looks so crumbly.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Kelly SiewJanuary 25, 2013 at 3:32 PM

    Very simple and elegant looking! I love anything with almond! :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Jeannie TayJanuary 28, 2013 at 11:47 PM

    Sounds like a great cookie to start....I have not baked anything yet!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chef and SommelierJanuary 29, 2013 at 9:37 PM

      Hi Jeannie! Since you have not started your CNY baking, why not try this?

      Delete
  25. Kit @ i-lostinaustenJanuary 30, 2013 at 5:04 PM

    YUM! These cookies not only look good but sounds utterly easy to prepared & above all that with only 4 ingredients! AWESOME!

    ReplyDelete

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