Bird’s Nest Soup

Mum, who was hospitalized since last Wednesday, was discharged yesterday. The doctors did not want to keep her a day longer than necessary, probably because of her weak immune system and the current SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic. She was admitted for a persistent cough that refused to go away after several weeks of medication.

I learnt to double-boil bird’s nest soup with cordyceps and red dates for Mum. Wuan brought them for Mum when she was here the last trip, and provided step-by-step instructions through the phone. Double-boiling is a method of cooking where the food is placed in a ceramic jar, which is then placed in a pot of boiling water. It was not as difficult as I had anticipated. I just had to remember to replenish the water every now and then. Perhaps, I may cook up something more elaborate for Wuan when she is here the next time.

Author: Peter Tan

Peter Gabriel Tan. Penangite residing in the Klang Valley. Blissfully married to Wuan. A LaSallian through and through. Slave to three cats. Wheelchair user since 1984. End-stage renal disease since 2017. Principal Facilitator at Peter Tan Training specialising in Disability Equality Training. Former columnist of Breaking Barriers with The Borneo Post. This blog chronicles my life, thoughts and opinions. Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.