Mocha Thumbprint Cookie Recipe

Baby Aria is very similar to my husband Lulu when it comes to her favorite foods. She loves vegetables and she adores sweets. Today I experimented with a batch of cookies I usually make when we have guests over for tea: thumbprint cookies. They're so pretty, especially with the crackle effect on the shortbread cookie dough and the whimsical design in the center indentation that almost resembles a crazy eye.

I flavored the cookie dough with cocoa powder and mocha paste. I filled them with vanilla chips and a drizzle of bittersweet chocolate, which came out just as great. Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to sharing recipes next week in anticipation of Cinco de Mayo!

Sandwich Cookie Recipe

Yesterday, we had 12 guests over for dinner. I prepared the entire meal but wasn't planning to make a dessert, except for a large platter of fresh fruit. When everyone had finished their plate, my father-in-law, Daddy, said: "now let's head to the other room and have the desserts Jackie made!" I tried to whisper to him that there were none, but it was too late.

So I ran into the kitchen and whipped up with these sandwich cookies. I only needed 12 minutes to bake them and used fresh strawberries I luckily had in the refrigerator for the filling. Everyone was still enjoying their coffee and tea when my dessert was ready to be served. I could have waited a bit more for the cookies to cool and get firm but I think they were still enjoyable. Mission accomplished!

Google IO Conference Cookies

Indian Sweets from Hyderabad

Breaded Tilapia (Nori Crusted Fish Recipe)

Tilapia is an easy fish to prepare but can be pretty bland on its own. To enhance the flavor, I breaded the fish with a blend of shortbread cookies, white miso paste, wasabi and nori sheets. I covered the fish fillets with nori-flavored breading, pan-fried it and finish the cooking in the oven.

If you're trying to introduce seafood to your children, I think tilapia is a good fish to start with. It's mild in flavor and the other plus is it's inexpensive.