Taiwanese pineapple tarts/shortcakes recipe, just in time for the upcoming Lunar Chinese New Year.

[AsahinaKimi]

For Chinese in Malaysia and Singapore, and those who live overseas, this time of year means one thing: baking time for the upcoming Lunar New Year. As the year of Snake is just barely two weeks away, every household is busy prepping for the upcoming new year. Spring cleaning, shopping for Chinese New Year‘s foods and goodies for friends, families, and clients, buying new clothes and shoes, and most definitely, making batches of batches pineapple tarts, peanut cookies, kuih bangkit, and more.

Everywhere you go, you will see vendors, shops, hawkers selling their Chinese New Year cakes, and one of the most popular items is pineapple tarts. On Rasa Malaysia, I have shared a couple of recipes here and here, but this year, I have decided to ask my contributor Ho Siew Loon to share a Taiwanese pineapple tarts/shortcakes recipe, which is no less tasty than the regular ones.

more..http://rasamalaysia.com/taiwanese-pineapple-tarts-recipe/

[annabanana]

1. Those look delicious! . . . n/t

[cbayer]

2. The recipe includes many items that I am not familiar with.

Pineapple essence
Maltose
Milk Powder
Winter Melon

Are these things one can find in Asian markets?

[AsahinaKimi]

3. Yes.. of course.

Most Asian markets do carry these items or will special order them for you.

edited to note: Pineapple essence is pineapple extract.

The winter melon, also called white gourd, winter gourd, or ash gourd, is a vine grown for its very large fruit, eaten as a vegetable when mature.


Maltose also known as maltobiose or malt sugar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltose)

Milk Powder (Powdered Milk)

[cbayer]

4. Fascinating.

There is a very large inside Japanese *shopping center* over on the mainland that I have been meaning to visit, but have felt somewhat intimidated by. It is composed of stalls and I don't see a lot of non-Asians going there.

But I am going to check it out on the next visit and see if I can find some of these things.

Thanks for the post!

[AsahinaKimi]

5. You are most welcome

When you go you can say "Konnichiwa!" or "Gokigenyo!" That might break the ice a little! Good luck and hope you find some interesting things. Oh, and I am sure you will be quite welcome there!

[cbayer]

6. Thanks Kimi. I know that they have food stalls as well.

Any suggestions on what I might look for and try?

Honestly, the only thing I really know about Japanese food is sushi and I know nothing of what might be considered street food.

[AsahinaKimi]

7. Wow there are some many things to try..

If you can find Gyoza (Japanese dumplings -pork or vegetarian)

that is quite yummy. I also love Yaki Tori, which is grilled chicken and green onions on skewers. (Teriyaki sauce on them make them an excellent choice.)


If they have them, Takoyaki (see image below)


If you have a sweet tooth, there is Taiyaki

A cookie that's baked to look like a fish. (no fish in them, just a cookie.)

Another thing to try is dango which is very sweet;


Maybe you can find a few of these. If you do, you are in for a treat! Happy hunting!

[cbayer]

8. I love gyoza (forgot about those!).

I am going to bookmark this. They all look great and will I will for them when I go.

Thanks so much!

[AsahinaKimi]

9. You are most welcome!

Have fun at the market!