Sticky Coconut Bars

My second daughter loves this very much. She has already requested that I make another tray. It is a bit sweet, so you can reduce the sugar if you do not prefer it that way. You can prepare this in less than half an hour, bake it and serve it together with a cup of tea. 

Ingredients
2 cups of self-raising flour
1 tea spoon salt
2 cups butter
2 cups shredded coconut
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup coarse sugar or 2 cups brown sugar (I used coarse sugar for this one)
2 tea spoon vanilla essence
3 eggs

Methods

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degree celcius. Grease the baking pan.

2. In a large bowl, mix and cream butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. Mix all until well blended.

3. Fold in chocolate chips and shredded coconuts. Mix well.

4. Spread mixture evenly over pan. I used 9X9 inch pan.

5. Bake for about 30-40 minutes, depending on your oven.

6. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

*serves 10-12 people

Indonesian Style Sambal

When my girls were younger, we had an Indonesian maid in our house. I often see her making her sambal. She would fry the sambal with anchovies and would eat it with rice. As time passes by, I always reminiscent the hot sambal when ever I would want to eat sambal belacan. So, today, is one of the days. I decided to make the sambal the Indonesian way and eat it with some cucumbers. Here it goes!

Ingredients
A handful of bird's eye chilli (cili padi)
A handful of anchovies

*Blend or pound the ingredients together

1 inch shrimp paste (belacan)
Sugar, as desired
Salt, to taste
1 lime juice
Oil

Methods

1. In a pan, heat some oil and fry the shrimp paste.

2. Then, add the pounded or blended items. Cook and stir well.

3. Add in some sugar and let the mixture cook until it thickens.

4. Lastly, add in the salt and lime to taste. 

*serves 4-6 people