Close to your Heart

How do we love our little precious shrimp dumplings. They are so yummy that you just want to hug them and keep them close to your heart. Well, that's exactly why dumplings were made to have during Dim Sum many years ago in China. The Cantonese phrase dim sum means literally "touch the heart" or "close to your heart".

I think last Sunday's class was just about that. I have never seen a group of dumplings lovers so touched by their pleats as they wait patiently to savor them. We made about 50 shrimp dumplings along with my own Ginger Garlic Soy Sauce. I think everyone went home feeling like a dumpling warrior.

We also learned to make a very simple dessert. You all know I'm a cook but not a baker...so I'm always on a quest to come up with simple yet delicious desserts. Or rather desserts that look like I spend 12 hours making it in the kitchen : )

We made Ginger Cookie Triffle with Mascopone Cheese pudding. Very simple and very yummy. Try it. I have attached the recipe.

Anyway, I'm off to Malaysia at the end of May and back in June. Yes, very excited. Love to eat. Love to see my mom cook. Love to be with my family. Will take lot's of pictures and will share when I get back. I will have my next class when I come back in June. Stay tune for that.

Also, I'm giddy with excitement to announce that I made my second check to United Nations "Fill the Cup" project from the profit I made from my recent classes. Thank you so much for your contribution. Thank you.

Ginger Cookie Triffle with Mascopone Cheese pudding.
(Courtesy of the Suba’s recipe collection)

Prep Time: 20 minutes. Cook Time: 10 minutes. Yield: 6 servings

1 box Anna’s Swedish Ginger cookies
1 tub mascarpone cheese, soft at room temperature
1/2 cup cream (if pudding gets thick, you may add more)
1/2 cup sugar
1 fresh orange, juice squeezed
3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
grated coconut for garnish
mint leaves for garnish
1/2 cup orange grates for garnish

To make pudding:
Whisk or mix using a hand held mixer at medium speed all the following ingredients: mascopone cheese, cream. sugar, and orange juice. Making sure the texture of pudding is much like a pudding. If its too stiff add more cream. Set aside.

To assemble:
You can use wine glasses or something clear like a wine glass. Scoop some pudding on the bottom of the glass and layer it with some sliced strawberries and top it with a slice of ginger cookie. Repeat the same until to the top of the glass. Pudding-fruits-cookie until the top...pudding, fruits and no cookie.

Garnish the top with some grated coconut, orange grates and a mint leave.

Serve immediately.

* * You can prepare glasses of treats right before dinner time so cookies will get a little soft but not too much. Set it aside in the refrigerator and cover it with some foil.

Enjoy this heavenly dessert.