Look, it's Porridge, and it's Happy to See Ya!

Disney Classic # 36 - Mulan

When it came to Mulan I thought I'd come up stuck, as there aren't many Chinese desserts that I know of. I thought fortune cookies might be a good idea, and it was an idea that grew on my once I found a fairly simple recipe for them. How grand! I could make Mulan fortune cookies AND use quotes from Disney films for the fortunes!! Brilliant.

Except they tasted like crap. Actually, that's not necessarily true. The taste was pretty nice, but the texture - yuk! I don't know whether it was the recipe, whether I didn't bake them correctly or whether it was because I'd baked them the evening before and left them in an airtight container overnight and all day, but they were soggy. >_< I've posted the recipe below in the interest of consistency - I don't want to not post a recipe! But I certainly will not be trying this again! Original recipe found here.
Prep time: 10 mins            Cook time: 25 mins               
Makes 10 cookies
Ingredients:
2 egg whites
half tsp vanilla extract
8 tbsp plain flour
pinch of salt
8 tbsp caster sugar

1. Preheat the oven to gas mark 6. Prepare 5 sheets of greaseproof paper by drawing two 8cm circles on each. Write out fortunes on strips of paper and fold.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites and vanilla until foamy, but not stiff. Sift in the flour, salt and sugar and fold until all ingredients have combined.
3. Place one of the prepared sheets onto a baking tray. spoon 2 tsps of the better into the centre of each circle, then, using the back of the spoon, spread the batter out evenly to match the shape of the circle you have drawn.
4. Bake for 5 minutes, until the cookie starts to go golden brown around the edges. (Whilst this pair of cookies is baking, you can get the next pair ready to go into the oven on a separate baking sheet.)
5. Remove the cooked cookies from the oven and use a spatula to remove then from the baking sheet. Place (one at a time) upside down on a chopping board, put a fortune in the middle and fold in half, pressing the edges together. Place the folded edge of the cookie onto the rim of a cup or mug and pull the edges down. Place in a bun tin to cool to help the cookie retain its shape. (Note: you have to do this bit whilst the cookie is still hot, as the cooler it gets he more difficult it is to fold! That's why it's best to only cook two at a time!)
6. Repeat the process until you have used all of the batter. Leave cookies to cool and hope they aren't as soggy as mine!!

Next time we have much more success with Tarzan; making a banana and walnut loaf cake ^_^

Happy Thoughts
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